Starting a court case
Most cases for recovery of wages and entitlements are started in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Cases that are more complex may be started in the Federal Court of Australia.
You may be able to start a case to recover unpaid wages or entitlements in some NSW courts, such as the Chief Industrial Magistrate's Court or the Local Court of NSW. This website only has information about the process in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia can hear claims for unpaid wages and entitlements made by national system employees. Cases heard in this Court for recovery of wages and unpaid entitlements totalling $20,000 or less can use a small claims procedure. The small claims procedure allows cases to be heard with less formality.
For more information, see
Going to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
The Federal Court of Australia
The Federal Court of Australia can also hear claims for unpaid wages and entitlements made by national system employees. Unlike in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Federal Court of Australia does not use the small claims procedure. Fees in the Federal Court of Australia are generally higher than fees in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
This website does not have information about claims for unpaid wages and entitlements in the Federal Court of Australia. If you want to start a case in the Federal Court of Australia, you should get
legal advice.