Unfair dismissal lawyers help employees challenge dismissals that were harsh, unjust or unreasonable.
firms
59
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
Applications go to the Fair Work Commission within 21 days. Eligibility depends on minimum employment periods and income thresholds.
Why unfair dismissal matters
Losing a job affects income and reputation. A successful claim can mean reinstatement or compensation.
The Australian context
Unfair dismissal claims go to the Fair Work Commission within 21 days. Employees must have completed the minimum employment period, six months, or 12 months for small businesses, and earn under the high income threshold unless covered by an award or agreement.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Underwood, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(293)Google rating from 293 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Park & Co Lawyers 법무법인 박앤코 博安和律師事務所 provides legal services in Underwood, QLD. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Unfair Dismissal and Personal Injury.
Immigration & Visas+6 moreUnfair Dismissal · Personal Injury · Employment Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Workplace Discrimination & Harassment · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(211)Google rating from 211 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Medical Negligence+7 morePersonal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Class Actions · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair Dismissal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(161)Google rating from 161 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Nikolovski Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Personal Injury.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Personal Injury · Employment Law · Immigration & Visas · Unfair Dismissal · Public Liability · Medical Negligence
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Unfair Dismissal.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Unfair Dismissal · Professional Negligence · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(132)Google rating from 132 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
PRD Compensation provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Public Liability, Family Law and Employment Law.
Public Liability+7 moreFamily Law · Employment Law · Workers Compensation · Wills & Estates · Personal Injury · Partner & Family Visas · Unfair Dismissal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Lakes, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(102)Google rating from 102 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in North Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Personal Injury.
Medical Negligence+7 moreMotor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Personal Injury · Class Actions · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair Dismissal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(96)Google rating from 96 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Class Actions and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Medical Negligence+7 moreClass Actions · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Unfair Dismissal · Workers CompensationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Class Actions.
Medical Negligence+7 moreMotor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Class Actions · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kings Park, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(82)Google rating from 82 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bentham Sydney Employment Lawyers provides legal services in Kings Park, NSW. Listed practice areas include Employment Law, Unfair Dismissal and Business & Commercial Law.
Employment Law+7 moreUnfair Dismissal · Business & Commercial Law · Workplace Bullying & Stop Bullying Orders · Workplace Discrimination & Harassment · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Skilled & Business Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chermside, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(82)Google rating from 82 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Chermside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Class Actions.
Medical Negligence+7 moreMotor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Class Actions · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Medical Negligence+7 morePersonal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Class Actions · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wadlow Solicitors provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Personal Injury.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Personal Injury · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Medical Negligence · Unfair Dismissal · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lynch Lawyers & Co provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Employment Law and Unfair Dismissal.
Employment Law+1 moreUnfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Fidus Legal provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Franchising · Debt Recovery · Unfair Dismissal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Personal Injury.
Medical Negligence+7 moreMotor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Personal Injury · Class Actions · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Essendon North, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pera Lawyers provides legal services in Essendon North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
My Legal Crunch Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Unfair DismissalFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ADLV Law, Adelaide provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Employment Law and Unfair Dismissal.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreEmployment Law · Unfair Dismissal · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Woolloomooloo, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Livingstone & Company Lawyers provides legal services in Woolloomooloo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Debt Recovery · Employment Law · Unfair Dismissal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dorahy Davis Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Employment Law and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreEmployment Law · Criminal Law · Drug Offences · Unfair Dismissal · Drink & Drug Driving · Traffic Offences · Assault & Violent OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kent Town, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
WK Lawyers provides legal services in Kent Town, SA. Listed practice areas include Unfair Dismissal, Personal Injury and Workers Compensation.
Unfair Dismissal+4 morePersonal Injury · Workers Compensation · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Personal Injury and Class Actions.
Medical Negligence+7 morePersonal Injury · Class Actions · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to unfair dismissal
What to discuss at the first meeting
Give the dismissal date immediately and explain the employment history. The lawyer should assess eligibility and the appropriate pathway before drafting an application.
Fair Work Commission applications have a 21-day timeframe; ask promptly rather than waiting for an internal discussion to finish.
How the engagement may progress
01
Gather the contract, dates, pay records and relevant correspondence. Identify the employer’s legal name rather than only a trading name.
02
Ask which law or process applies and whether its requirements are met. Fair Work Commission unfair dismissal applications have a 21-day filing timeframe, making prompt advice important.
03
Agree how to respond, prepare for a meeting or assess a settlement. Have any release and confidentiality terms explained before signing.
Fees and the scope of work
Advice on a single document, an investigation response and ongoing representation need different estimates. Ask what negotiation and appearance work is covered.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Put the dismissal or decision date in the first enquiry. Ask whether an external deadline is running while an internal complaint is being considered.
Questions to ask a unfair dismissal adviser
What is the filing deadline for my circumstances?
Is unfair dismissal the appropriate pathway?
Which claim or response fits these facts?
What deadline applies and what do you need now?
Does the engagement include conciliation or a hearing?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Who can claim unfair dismissal?
Most employees after the minimum employment period, subject to income thresholds and exclusions.
How long do I have to claim unfair dismissal?
An unfair dismissal application must be lodged with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of the dismissal taking effect. Late applications are only accepted in exceptional circumstances.
Can my employer change my contract?
Not without your agreement, unless the contract allows it. Changes that reduce pay or conditions below the award or agreement are generally not allowed.
