Helping employers and employees solve workplace disputes or disagreements is one of the main functions of the Fair Work Commission. One of the objects of the Fair Work Act 2009 is 'providing accessible and effective procedures to resolve grievances and disputes.'
Sometimes this is done directly with the employers and employees, and sometimes with the help of employer organisations, unions or other representatives. Collectively, the people involved in a dispute are called 'the parties'.
The Commission can help in a number of ways:
Different methods are used to help resolve different types of disputes. To find out more about how the Commission will handle your dispute, go to the section of this website that talks about the kind of dispute or disagreement you have.
In general, the Commission can help resolve disputes involving employers, employees, unions and employer associations who are covered by the national workplace relations system.
These include:
To apply to the Commission for help with a dispute you will need to fill out a Commission approved application form. There are different forms for different types of disputes.
Once the form is complete you will need to lodge the form with the Commission, by following the instructions provided on the form.
Go to the Lodge an application page on this website.