Fair Work Commission

Enquiries

Please review the information provided on this page before contacting the Commission with your enquiry.

Media enquiries should be directed to:

• Media & Communications team
• Fair Work Commission
• Email: communications@fwc.gov.au
• Mobile: 0427 097 628

Information for media representatives

This page provides media representatives with the key information for reporting on matters before the Commission.

Here you will find guidance and information on the processes for obtaining information, some tips for reporting on the Commission and other useful details to help media representatives when covering matters before or relating to the Commission.  

How to refer to the Commission and its Members

All references to the tribunal should either be the Fair Work Commission or the Commission.

• On 1 January 2013, Fair Work Australia was renamed the Fair Work Commission.  References to Fair Work Australia, FWA or Fair Work are incorrect.

Members of the Fair Work Commission are statutory appointments and should be referred to by their appropriate title and surname:

• President
• Vice President
• Senior Deputy President
• Deputy President or
• Commissioner.

A full list of Commission Members, their titles and the spelling of their surname can be found on the Commission Members page on this website.

As the Commission is a tribunal not a court, its matters are conducted in hearing rooms rather than court rooms.

Finding information on the Commission’s website

There are several ways to find important information on the Commission’s website.

On the home page of our website you can use the 'Quick links for: Media' drop down to find links to the information most commonly used by media representatives when reporting on Commission matters.

These include:

• Decisions from today and yesterday
• Find a decision, a link to the Commission's decisions search
• Media releases
• Modern award reviews
• What's on today, a link to the Commission’s hearings list (includes matters before the Commission in each office and regional locations up to 7 days in advance)

Information commonly sought by the media includes:

• the names of Fair Work Commission Members – go to the List of Commission Members
• details of hearings – go to the Hearings & conferences section for the daily hearing lists
• major cases being heard by the Commission
• Hints & tips on searching for Commission documents, including decisions and orders
• statistics – published in Annual reports and quarterly reports
• the Commission's Privacy policy.

Other useful links on the Commission’s website include:

• Subscription service – here you can subscribe to any of the Commission’s regular email update services.
• Find an agreement search – here you can search for any current or archived agreements.
• Transcripts – if a transcript is ordered for a Commission matter it will be published here in chronological order.
• Protected action ballot results – this is a list of all protected action ballot results. These are listed in chronological order.
• Document search – use this tool to search the content of agreements and decisions.

Different matters types before the Commission

Different ways matters can be dealt with by the Commission

Attending hearings (including use of recording equipment)

The Commission has premises in every capital city. Details on the addresses and contact details for each of these offices can be found on the Commission’s website.

The hearings list provides details of proceedings taking place at the Commission up to 7 days in advance. However, hearings and conferences can sometimes change rooms or times on the day so it is often useful to also check the noticeboard either located in the foyer or in the Registry area on the day of the proceeding.

Hearings are generally open to the public, though if you are unsure it may be useful to check with the Media and Communications Team before attending the Commission. All conferences are usually private and closed to the public.

Public areas

Media are permitted to use public areas outside hearing rooms for interviews and mobile phone conversations – provided they do not interfere with the work of the Commission.

Cameras may also be used in such areas – provided those being photographed or filmed do not object, and there is no interference with the work of the Commission.

Hearing & conference rooms not in session

Commission hearing and conference rooms not in session may not be used for any media activities unless arrangements have been made through the Manager Media & Communications or the relevant Commission state manager.

Guidelines for the use of recording equipment

Note: The use of television and still cameras and other electronic equipment in Commission proceedings is at the discretion of the Commission Member or Members involved.

Journalists may cover proceedings of the Commission held in public (ie public hearings), but not private conferences. In general, Commission proceedings are public if the hearing room door is open and private if the door is closed.

A request will need to be made to the Media and Communication’s Team or the relevant Member’s associate in relation to use of any recording device (including cameras) in a hearing room.

Please note the use of recording devices in hearings is only possible in very limited circumstances.

Cameras

To use television or still cameras or any other electronic equipment in a Commission hearing room you must have the permission of the Member hearing the matter, or in the case of a Full Bench, the presiding Member.

Media are asked to make such requests by contacting the Manager Media & Communications or the associate of the relevant Member.

Audio recording

Journalists may take notes in public proceedings, but sketching and the use of audio recorders (for note-taking or broadcast) is only permitted in hearing rooms with the permission of the Commission Member concerned.

As with requests for camera access, media are asked to seek permission for the use of such equipment through the Manager Media & Communications or the associate of the relevant Member.

Use of mobile devices at the Commission

The following rules relate to the acceptable use of mobile devices during Commission conferences and hearings.

Mobile devices can include mobile phones, smart phones and tablets.

1. Mobile devices may be used during Commission conferences and hearings at the discretion of the Member.
2. Mobile devices must be on silent in all hearing and conference rooms, as well as general waiting areas.
3. The recording of any video or audio files or the taking of photographs during proceedings is strictly prohibited.

The Commission provides free guest wi-fi in all Commission offices, including hearing rooms and conference rooms. Please read the Guest wi-fi service terms & conditions before accessing the service.

Data and statistics

For statistics on the Commission, see the annual reports and the quarterly reports.

Any other reports released by the Commission can also be accessed on the Reports and publications section of the Commission’s website.

For any other enquiries in relation to statistics on the Commission please contact the Media and Communications Team.

File inspection

To request access to any Commission documents or to inspect files please contact the Media and Communications Team at communications@fwc.gov.au.

Please note that all unfair dismissal, general protections and anti-bullying case files have a very strict privacy policy and access may not be granted.

All requests for file access will depend upon the circumstances of the matter and are subject to the presiding Member’s approval.

For further information please see the Commission’s Privacy policy.

Requests for comment

Any request for comment should be directed to the Media and Communications Team at communications@fwc.gov.au.