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FWCFair Work Commission · 2026

the Applicant v Birchan Pty Ltd Trading As Vic’s Premium Quality Meats

Citation: [2026] FWC 2899

At a glance

Employees affected
1

What happened

the Applicant brought an unfair dismissal claim against Birchan Pty Ltd Trading As Vic’s Premium Quality Meats. She alleged she was unfairly dismissed and had previously signed an employment contract in June 2022, including an Individual Flexibility Agreement (IFA). The IFA stipulated an ‘Above Award Base Salary’ of $70,000 annually. the Applicant received $30,704.42 in salary payments during a six-month period and $3633.44 in workers' compensation payments. She sought compensation of $35,000.

What was decided

The Fair Work Commission found the Applicant was unfairly dismissed by Birchan Pty Ltd Trading As Vic’s Premium Quality Meats. the Respondent initially raised jurisdictional objections which were subsequently dismissed. The Commission accepted the Applicant's calculations and ordered the respondent to pay her $35,000 less applicable taxation. the respondent did not provide any submissions regarding compensation.

What it means for employers

Employers should ensure employment contracts and Individual Flexibility Agreements comply with Fair Work legislation and award conditions. Failure to respond to requests for information from the Commission can negatively impact outcomes in dispute resolution processes.

What it means for employees

Employees who believe they have been unfairly dismissed should lodge a claim with the Fair Work Commission. Providing clear and detailed calculations of lost income is important when seeking compensation.

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

https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/pdf/2026fwc2899.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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