Restructure / Redundancy Cost Calculator
Model the total cost of a multi-employee restructure: NES s 119 redundancy + notice + leave payouts. Per-employee + grand total. Risk flags for protected-attribute, tenure and age exposure.
Last verified: 16 May 2026RESTRUCTURE / REDUNDANCY COST MODELLER
Calculate the total cost of restructuring or making multiple employees redundant. NES s 119 scale + state notice periods + leave payouts. Also surfaces non-genuine-redundancy risk flags. Get legal advice before acting on layoffs of 15+ staff (Fair Work Act s 530 notification requirements apply).
Affected employees
Cost summary
Average legal-risk score: 4.0 / 10 — Moderate. Document genuine-redundancy basis carefully.
Per-employee breakdown
| Name | Redundancy | Notice | Leave | Total | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee 1 | $25,200 (14w) | $9,000 (5w) | $20,940 | $55,140 | 6/10 |
| Employee 2 | $9,100 (7w) | $3,900 (3w) | $6,110 | $19,110 | 2/10 |
Pre-redundancy compliance checklist
- Genuine redundancy test (s 389): position is no longer required + you cannot reasonably redeploy + compliance with consultation obligations under modern award/EA.
- 15+ employee notification (s 530): if making 15+ redundant within a similar period, notify Centrelink at least 14 days before terminations take effect.
- Consultation under modern award/EA: most awards require employee consultation BEFORE the decision is made, not after.
- Selection criteria documentation: objective, defensible selection criteria. Length of service is acceptable but NOT age, pregnancy, carer status, or other protected attributes.
- Voluntary redundancy option: typically offered first. Reduces unfair-dismissal risk.
- Get legal review for 5+ redundancies — the cost is trivial vs the exposure (FWC unfair dismissal cap 26 wks/$87.5k per employee, general protections uncapped).
Related Articles
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Can You Refuse Redundancy in Australia?Generally you cannot refuse genuine redundancy in Australia, but you can challenge it if it's not genuine. Learn about redeployment, consultation, and your options.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.