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FWCFair Work Commission · 31 December 2024

the Applicant v Commonwealth Of Australia As Represented By Services Australia

Citation: [2025] FWC 3722

What happened

the Applicant, an employee of the Commonwealth of Australia, represented by Services Australia, sought an unfair dismissal remedy. She filed her application out of time. The Fair Work Commission considered whether there were exceptional circumstances to justify proceeding with the application despite the delay.

What was decided

Deputy President Easton dismissed the Applicant’s application for an unfair dismissal remedy. The Commission found there were no exceptional circumstances to excuse the late filing. The application was therefore dismissed. The decision states, 'application dismissed.'

What it means for employers

Employers should be aware of strict time limits for lodging applications to the Fair Work Commission. While extensions can be granted in exceptional circumstances, these are rare. Prompt action is crucial for both employers and employees.

What it means for employees

Employees need to be mindful of the time limits for lodging applications to the Fair Work Commission. Seeking legal advice promptly is important if an employee believes their rights have been breached. Delays can result in applications being dismissed.

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unfair-dismissalgeneral-protectionsredress

Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:

https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/pdf/2025fwc3722.pdf

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This summary was drafted from the published decision and reviewed before publishing. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified lawyer. About these summaries & corrections →

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