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Step by step guide – Making an application for general protections dismissal

  • Time limit

    You must make a general protections application to the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of the date you were dismissed.

You will need one form:

  • Form F8 - Application for the Commission to deal with a General Protections Dispute

You can complete the form online using the Fair Work Commission Online Lodgment Service or get a copy of the form from:

You will need to provide:

  • your name and contact details
  • information about whether you need an interpreter or any special assistance
  • your employer's name and contact details
  • the date you were dismissed
  • the reasons your employer gave for dismissing you (if any)
  • any letter of dismissal or separation certificate
  • the date your employment started
  • whether you have made any other application
  • what outcome you want
  • what your employer did that led you to make the application
  • how your employer's actions have adversely affected you
  • which general protection you think the employer has broken.

If you are applying online, you or your nominated representative can sign electronically. 

If you are lodging a paper application, you can attach extra pages. You or your nominated representative will need to sign the form. The form can be signed electronically, You should keep a copy of your application for your own records.

Instructions: Instructions - Form F8 - General Protections application involving dismissal

Sample: Sample- Form F8 - General Protections application involving dismissal.

You can lodge the form:​

 An application lodged by email or by using the Fair Work Commission Online Lodgment Service is not taken to be lodged until you receive an acknowledgment from the Fair Work Commission.

You will also need to pay a fee to lodge the application. For the current fees, see Fees and Costs on the Fair Work Commission website.

If you are lodging the form by email or post, you do not fill in credit card details on the form. A Commission officer will contact you about payment, within three business days from the date of lodgment. 

If you are posting the form, make sure you give yourself plenty of time as you must meet the time limit. The Commission must receive your application within 21 days of the date you were dismissed. If you are close to the time limit, you should call the Fair Work Commission or apply online.

Waiver of fee 

If you can’t pay the fee, you can apply for the Commission to waive (cancel) the fee. You will need to complete a Form F80 – Waiver of application fee, and file it with your application.

You will have to give details of your finances on the waiver form. If the Commission approves your waiver application, you will not need to pay the application fee.