Employment & Workplace · South West
1 unfair dismissal firm in South West, Western Australia, including Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River.
1 firm
Bunbury, WA · South West
Workwise Employment Lawyers provides legal services in Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Employment Law, Unfair Dismissal and Business & Commercial Law.
Applications go to the Fair Work Commission within 21 days. Eligibility depends on minimum employment periods and income thresholds.
Losing a job affects income and reputation. A successful claim can mean reinstatement or compensation.
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.
Understand the next step
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.
Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River are separate starting points in the South West. For land or business work, explain whether the issue concerns ownership, a proposed transaction, a lease or an existing dispute.
For unfair dismissal, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant WA experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside South West. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
Gather the contract, dates, pay records and relevant correspondence. Identify the employer’s legal name rather than only a trading name.
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.
Agree how to respond, prepare for a meeting or assess a settlement. Have any release and confidentiality terms explained before signing.
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.
Put the dismissal or decision date in the first enquiry. Ask whether an external deadline is running while an internal complaint is being considered.
Western Australia is the only state with its own family court: the Family Court of Western Australia hears parenting and property matters for both married and de facto couples. Other matters start in the Magistrates Court, with the District and Supreme Courts for serious cases, and the State Administrative Tribunal for planning, guardianship and many licensing reviews. Lawyers are admitted and regulated by the Legal Practice Board.
Good to know
Most employees after the minimum employment period, subject to income thresholds and exclusions.
Most matters start in the Magistrates Court. More serious cases go to the District Court or the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Family law matters are heard by the Family Court of Western Australia.
Practising certificates in Western Australia are managed by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.
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.