the Applicant v Opal Packaging Australia Pty Ltd
Citation: [2026] FWC 2709
At a glance
- Employees affected
- 1
What happened
the Applicant lodged an unfair dismissal application with the Fair Work Commission on June 22, 2026. The application was incomplete because he did not pay the required fee or request a fee waiver. The Commission attempted to contact the Applicant via email and SMS on June 24th and 27th, 2026, and again on July 7th, warning him that his application could be dismissed if unpaid by July 14th. He did not respond.
What was decided
The Fair Work Commission Deputy President dismissed the Applicant's unfair dismissal application (U2026/10830). The Commission found the application was not made in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009 because the Applicant failed to pay the required fee or address the deficiency. As he did not respond to multiple attempts at contact and warnings, the application was dismissed under section 587(1)(a) of the Act.
What it means for employers
Employers should ensure employees are aware of any fees associated with Fair Work applications and the importance of completing all required forms correctly. The Commission’s ability to proactively dismiss incomplete applications highlights the need for applicants to engage with the process and respond to inquiries.
What it means for employees
Employees lodging unfair dismissal or other Fair Work applications must pay the application fee or apply for a waiver, and promptly respond to any communication from the Commission regarding their application. Failure to do so may result in the application being dismissed.
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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 →