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FWCFair Work Commission · 2026

the Applicant v Central AGRI Group Pty Ltd

Citation: [2026] FWC 2596

At a glance

Employees affected
1

What happened

the Applicant lodged an unfair dismissal application with the Fair Work Commission on November 7, 2025. She stated she worked for Central AGRI Group Pty Ltd from July 10, 2025, and was dismissed on October 30, 2025. The Commission found her employment period was less than six months, making her ineligible to apply for unfair dismissal. She also did not pay the required application fee or request a waiver. The Commission attempted contact via email and phone multiple times but received no response.

What was decided

The Fair Work Commission Deputy President dismissed the Applicant’s unfair dismissal application. This was because she had not met the minimum employment period requirement, nor paid the required fee or sought a waiver. The Commission can dismiss applications early if there's no reasonable prospect of success. the Applicant did not respond to multiple attempts by the Commission to advise her on these issues.

What it means for employers

Employers should be aware that employees must meet minimum employment periods before lodging an unfair dismissal claim. Regularly confirm employee start dates and lengths of service. Ensure clear communication regarding application fees and waiver processes is available to all potential applicants.

What it means for employees

Employees need to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements for an unfair dismissal claim, including a minimum period of employment (six months for small businesses) and payment of the application fee or a successful waiver request. Respond promptly to communications from the Fair Work Commission regarding your application.

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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/2026fwc2596.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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