Introduction
We allocate cases to be dealt with by different Commission Members. Who we allocate a case to may depend on the location of the case, or what type of case it is.
Content
Regional allocations
The work of the Fair Work Commission is generally dealt with according to a regional allocation system.
Regional Coordinators, who are senior Members of the Commission, are responsible for allocating the work in each of the regions.
| Region | Regional Coordinator | Deputy Regional Coordinator |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia | Vice President Catanzariti | Deputy President Asbury |
| South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria | Deputy President Clancy | Deputy President O'Neill |
Cases are allocated to Members in a region by a Regional Coordinator. They are generally dealt with in the region where the dispute occurred or where the work is performed, which is usually where the parties are located.
Cases are allocated based on location, although cases requiring specialist knowledge of an industry or case type may be allocated to a Member with relevant knowledge.
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National practice areas
National Practice Leaders will have oversight of each of the national practice areas.
| Case type | National Practice Leader | Deputy Practice Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Unfair dismissals | Commissioner Bissett | Deputy President O'Neill |
| General protections | Deputy President Millhouse | Deputy President Colman |
| Enterprise agreements | Deputy President Masson | Commissioner Matheson |
| Anti-sexual harassment and bullying | Acting President Hatcher* | Commissioner McKinnon |
| Cooperative workplaces | Deputy President Hampton | Vice President Catanzariti |
| Registered organisations | Deputy President Gostencnik | Deputy President Colman |
| Small business | Commissioner Yilmaz | Commissioner Wilson |
| Commonwealth public service | Vice President Catanzariti | |
| Major projects (see note below) | Vice President Catanzariti |
Cases will be allocated to Commission Members based on location, although cases requiring specialist knowledge of an industry or case type may be allocated to a Member with relevant knowledge.
*This is likely to be a temporary role during the initial phase of the new sexual harassment jurisdiction.
Note – major projects
Generally, a major project is a project with a capital value of at least $1 billion. However, projects of particular regional significance may be allocated to the practice area despite falling below the $1 billion threshold.
Projects are not automatically allocated to this practice area. Parties wishing to have a project allocated to the major projects practice area should apply to chambers.hatcher.vp@fwc.gov.au.
The following projects have been allocated to the practice area:
Expert panel for annual wage reviews
The Fair Work Act 2009 provides for a wage review to be conducted by an Expert panel every year.
The Expert panel is made up of the President, 3 other full-time Members (appointed by the President) and 3 part-time Members.
Panel head: Acting President Hatcher
Panel members
| Full-time Members | Part-time Members |
|---|---|
| Vice President Catanzariti | Mr Ferguson |
| Deputy President Asbury | Professor Wooden |
| Deputy President Hampton | Ms Labine-Romain |
Note: Information about the Commission’s previous allocation system is available in our annual reports.