Commonwealth Child Safe Framework

The Commonwealth Child Safe Framework aims to protect children and young people from the risk of harm and abuse. It sets minimum standards to create and maintain behaviours and practices that are safe for children and young people.

Our commitment to the safety of young workers

We are committed to the safety, wellbeing and human rights of young workers who interact with us. 

Most often, young workers are involved in a case because they have lodged an application asking us to resolve a dispute, they have been named as someone involved in a case, or they have information that is important for a case (such as being a witness). We also deal with young workers when they contact us with enquiries.

Young workers are most likely to be employed in hospitality or as apprentices. They are often involved in cases:

• asking for orders to stop bullying or sexual harassment at work, or
• where they have lost their job, such as cases about unfair dismissal and general protections dismissal. This can include when a young worker is sacked because of discrimination.

We promote the safety and wellbeing of young workers we interact with. Some of our forms ask whether people involved in a case are under 18 years of age. This helps us to identify young workers.

We educate our staff who deal with cases involving young workers about:

• the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (pdf) (National Principles)
• trauma informed practice when dealing with vulnerable people, including young workers
• how to respond to a young worker who discloses child abuse, or allegations of child abuse.

Find out more in our Child Safety and Wellbeing policy.

Read our latest Annual Statement of Compliance with the Framework (pdf).

Find links to useful information for young workers.

How to contact us

Contact us by:

• calling our Helpline on 1300 799 675
• emailing inquiries@fwc.gov.au
• visiting our office in each State and Territory capital city.

How to complain or provide feedback

You can send feedback to feedback@fwc.gov.au.

Find out how to complain about our staff or processes.

Find out how to complain about the conduct of a Member of the Commission.

Find legal help

We can’t give you legal advice.

If you are a member of a union, you can ask your union for legal advice.

If you are not a member of a union and you have lost your job or are experiencing discrimination, workplace bullying or sexual harassment at work, find out if you are eligible for free legal advice through the Workplace Advice Service.

Find out where to find legal help in each State and Territory.

Usually, we publish decisions and orders about cases on our website. This includes publishing the names of people involved and some facts about the case.

You can ask us about keeping your case confidential.

There are rules about who can apply:

• have you been unfairly dismissed? – check if you're eligible to apply for unfair dismissal
• can you apply for an order to stop bullying? – Stop bullying eligibility quiz
• can you apply for us to deal with a sexual harassment dispute? – check if you are eligible to apply
• can you apply for a general protections dismissal? – General protections dismissal eligibility check

You can also find out more about sexual harassment at work, preparing for an unfair dismissal conciliation and preparing for a hearing through our online learning portal.

Find information in 28 community languages about our role and how we can help you.

Free translation and interpreting services

You can use the free interpreting service provided by the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) to call us. You can call TIS on 131 450. Register for the free interpreting service.

Tell the operator:

• your language — so they can connect you to an interpreter
• our name — the Fair Work Commission
• our phone number — 1300 799 675

We can also arrange an interpreter if you need to take part in a meeting or a hearing.

If you have a hearing, sight or speech impairment, you can use the Speech to Speech Relay through the National Relay Service on 133 677. We can also arrange assistance for you at a hearing or conciliation. You just need to ask us. See accessibility.

Find out more about how to support your health and wellbeing, including free phone and website services.