the Applicant v Empower YOUth OoHC & Tamzin Roseheart
Citation: [2026] FWC 220
What happened
the Applicant brought an application to the Fair Work Commission to deal with contraventions involving a dismissal. Empower YOUth OoHC and the Respondent were the respondents. The application was made outside of the 21-day time limit.
What was decided
The Fair Work Commission dismissed the Applicant’s application. Deputy President Masson found the application was made outside the statutory time limit and there were no exceptional circumstances to justify an extension. The Commission cited previous cases in its reasoning. "The application was made outside of the 21-day time limit – no exceptional circumstances – application dismissed."
What it means for employers
Employers should ensure they are aware of the strict time limits for lodging applications with the Fair Work Commission. Failure to meet these deadlines can result in applications being dismissed, even if there are underlying issues of concern.
What it means for employees
Employees should be aware of the 21-day time limit for lodging applications with the Fair Work Commission. Seeking legal advice promptly is important to ensure compliance with these deadlines. Exceptional circumstances are required for extensions.
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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 →