Fast facts

The Fair Work Act 2009 was a significant milestone in Australian employment law. It created a “one-stop shop” for matters relating to industrial relations within Australia. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) is a national tribunal charged with the responsibility of dispute resolution.

Be sure to get legal advice: before signing an employment contract; when facing the threat of termination of your employment; when negotiating a severance package (you may have legal rights that you are not aware of); and prior to signing a Deed of Settlement under which your legal rights are being compromised in exchange for the payment of money.

Normally, the legal principles which determine the deductibility of expenses also apply to the question of legal costs.

Under this legislation, the Fair Work Commission (“FWC”) has become the new industrial umpire. It has replaced the Australian Industrial Relations Commission as well as other bodies and is a “one-stop shop” for the resolution of labour disputes.