Please review the information provided on this page before contacting the Commission with your enquiry.
Media enquiries should be directed to:
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.
Media regularly reporting on the work of the Commission may also be interested in subscribing to our free, email update services.
For details of each service, and to subscribe, go to the Subscribe to updates page.
All references to the tribunal should either be the Fair Work Commission or the Commission.
Members of the Fair Work Commission are statutory appointments and should be referred to by their appropriate title and surname:
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.
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:
Information commonly sought by the media includes:
Other useful links on the Commission’s website include:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Any request for comment should be directed to the Media and Communications Team at communications@fwc.gov.au.