Employment & Workplace
Unfair dismissal lawyers help employees challenge dismissals that were harsh, unjust or unreasonable.
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.
Unfair Dismissal firms in the directory
59 firms
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.
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Medical Negligence and Property & Conveyancing.
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
Catton Roderick Lawyers Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Employment Law, Business & Commercial Law and Workers Compensation.
Mildura, VIC · Mallee
Masterson Legal provides legal services in Mildura, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Cairns Employment Lawyer provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Unfair Dismissal, Employment Law and Workplace Bullying & Stop Bullying Orders.
Mount Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Greenwich Legal provides legal services in Mount Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Unfair Dismissal, Employment Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Werribee South, VIC · Western Melbourne
NS8 Group Lawyer & Advisors provides legal services in Werribee South, VIC. Listed practice areas include Unfair Dismissal, Employment Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Bradley Solicitors Pty Ltd provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Commercial Property & Leasing, Unfair Dismissal and Criminal Law.
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
Catton Roderick Lawyers Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Employment Law, Business & Commercial Law and Workers Compensation.
Campbelltown, NSW · Western Sydney
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Camden, NSW · Western Sydney
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Camden, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Mount Isa City, QLD · Outback & Torres Strait
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Isa City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Personal Injury.
MKI Legal provides legal services in East Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Employment Law, Business & Commercial Law and Unfair Dismissal.
Loganholme, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Paradise Law provides legal services in Loganholme, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Employment Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Hills Solicitors provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
Paradise Law provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Employment Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Biggera Waters, QLD · Gold Coast
Prosper Law provides legal services in Biggera Waters, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Employment Law and Contract Law.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Unfair Dismissal.
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Unfair Dismissal.
Broadmeadows, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Yarn Legal provides legal services in Broadmeadows, VIC. Listed practice areas include Employment Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Tsoukalis Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Unfair Dismissal and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Edge Legal provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Unfair Dismissal, Business & Commercial Law and Employment Law.
Rockhampton City, QLD · Central Queensland
Paradise Law provides legal services in Rockhampton City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Employment Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
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.
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.
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
Most employees after the minimum employment period, subject to income thresholds and exclusions.
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.
Not without your agreement, unless the contract allows it. Changes that reduce pay or conditions below the award or agreement are generally not allowed.