Mr Alexander Dines v O'sullivan Ground Engineering (Qld) Pty Ltd
Citation: [2026] FWC 386
What happened
Alexander Dines brought a general protections application against O'sullivan Ground Engineering (Qld) Pty Ltd. He alleged dismissal. The Fair Work Commission notes the application was filed outside the standard 21-day time limit.
What was decided
The Fair Work Commission dismissed Alexander Dines’s application. Deputy President Saunders found there were no exceptional circumstances to justify accepting the application despite it being filed outside the 21-day time limit. The decision states, 'the application is dismissed'.
What it means for employers
Employers should be aware of the strict time limits for filing general protections applications. While there is a provision for exceptional circumstances, these are rare and must be clearly demonstrated.
What it means for employees
Employees need to be aware of the 21-day time limit for filing general protections applications. Seeking legal advice promptly is crucial if you believe your workplace rights have been breached.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fwc.gov.au/document-view/decisions/mr-alexander-dines-v-osullivan-ground-engineering-qld-pty-ltd-2026-fwc-386Want more cases like this?
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This summary was drafted by AI 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 →