Official form guide
Form F8: Application for unfair dismissal remedy
Form F8 is the Fair Work Commission’s General protections dismissal application. Use it when you have been dismissed and believe the dismissal breached the general protections provisions of the Fair Work Act. The form starts the process for a court decision or consent arbitration.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Commission Form F8 - Application for unfair dismissal remedy
Form F8 is the Fair Work Commission’s General protections dismissal application. Use it when you have been dismissed and believe the dismissal breached the general protections provisions of the Fair Work Act. The form starts the process for a court decision or consent arbitration.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Missing the 21‑day deadline is the most common mistake.
- 2Missing the 21‑day filing deadline
- 3Failing to attach the written dismissal notice
- 4Leaving Part 4 blank when applying after 21 days
- 5Not requesting a fee waiver when under serious financial hardship
Plain English
If you think your job was ended for a prohibited reason, you can fill out this form to ask the Commission to look at your case. It asks for details about the dismissal, what you want as a remedy, and any special help you need. You must act quickly – the clock starts the day after you were let go.
Submission Date
- Filing date: You must lodge the application within 21 days after the dismissal takes effect. If you miss that window, you must complete the extension‑of‑time section and prove exceptional circumstances.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use when you have been dismissed and believe the dismissal breached the Fair Work Act’s general protections provisions.
- Apply if you have a written notice of dismissal – attach a copy to the form.
- Apply within 21 days of the dismissal date, unless you can show exceptional circumstances.
- Do not use for non‑dismissal general protections claims (use form F8C instead).
- Use if you need to request a fee waiver due to serious financial hardship.
- You may indicate if you need an interpreter, special assistance, or a representative.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Dismissed and alleging general protections breach
Specific to general‑protections dismissal
✓ Confirm you were dismissed and the claim is about general protections
Not dismissed but alleging general protections breach
Only for non‑dismissal general‑protections claims
✓ Verify you have not been dismissed
Dismissed but claim is not about general protections
Different legal basis
✓ Check the type of dismissal ground
Applying after 21 days
Must complete Part 4 and show exceptional circumstances
✓ Confirm time limit missed and prepare supporting evidence
Serious financial hardship and need fee waiver
Form includes fee‑waiver option
✓ Gather evidence of hardship
Deadline or filing window
The 21‑day limit starts the day after your dismissal took effect. Applications lodged after that must convince the Commission of exceptional circumstances to get an extension.
Before you submit
- 1Confirm you were dismissed and the claim relates to general protections.
- 2Attach a copy of any written dismissal notice.
- 3Check the application is within 21 days of the dismissal date.
- 4If outside 21 days, complete Part 4 with details of exceptional circumstances.
- 5Indicate whether you need an interpreter and specify the language.
- 6Indicate any special assistance required for the conference.
- 7State whether you have a representative and provide their details if applicable.
- 8Complete the desired outcome section.
- 9Sign and date the form.
- 10Attach any supporting documents (hardship evidence, interpreter request, etc.).
How to file this form
- 1Gather all relevant documents – dismissal notice, evidence of breach, hardship proof if needed.
- 2Download the latest Form F8 from the Fair Work Commission website or use the online portal.
- 3Fill in personal details, interpreter needs, special assistance, and representative information.
- 4Answer all required questions; if applying after 21 days, complete Part 4 describing exceptional circumstances.
- 5Attach all supporting documents, including the written dismissal notice.
- 6Submit the completed form by post or through the Fair Work Commission’s online filing system.
- 7Keep a copy of the submitted form and all attachments for your records.
Known limitations
- 1Only for dismissal cases that allege a breach of general protections; not for other dismissal types.
- 2Application must be lodged within 21 days unless exceptional circumstances are proven.
- 3The Commission may refuse an extension of time without a hearing.
- 4Fee waiver is only available for serious financial hardship and must be claimed on the form.
- 5Failure to identify the relevant Fair Work Act section can cause the application to be deemed incomplete.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
1 items
Full name (and representative, if any), postal address, email, and phone number of the person or organisation lodging the application.
Respondent
1 items
The exact legal name and ABN of the employer or other party the application is made against.
The Matter
2 items
Identify the kind of matter — for example, unfair dismissal, general protections, or an agreement application.
A clear description of what happened, relevant dates, and the outcome you are seeking.
Dates
1 items
Relevant dates such as the date of dismissal or the date the issue arose — these determine whether you are within time.
Supporting
1 items
Any documents that support your application, such as letters, contracts, or notices.
Declaration
1 items
Sign and date the form. Applications may also require a fee or an application for a fee waiver.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form F8 is the Fair Work Commission’s General protections dismissal application, approved with effect from 7 November 2025 and currently in use.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Form approved with effect from 7 Nov 2025 – confirm you have the latest version.
- 21‑day time limit wording and start date clarified.
- Section for fee‑waiver request for serious financial hardship added.
- Language assistance and interpreter request fields included.
- Special assistance (e.g., hearing loop) question added.
- Extension‑of‑time section requiring exceptional circumstances described.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm approved with effect from 7 November 2025confirmed in source.
- SRC21‑day time limit starts the day after dismissalconfirmed in source.
- SRCFee waiver available for serious financial hardshipconfirmed in source.
- SRCInterpreter request section presentconfirmed in source.
- SRCSpecial assistance question presentconfirmed in source.
- SRCExtension of time requires exceptional circumstancesconfirmed in source.
- SRCIf not dismissed, use form F8Cconfirmed in source.
- SRCAttach a copy of written dismissal noticeconfirmed in source.
Common confusion points
Missing the 21‑day deadline and not completing Part 4 for exceptional circumstances.
Forgetting to attach a copy of the written dismissal notice.
Assuming the fee‑waiver automatically applies without providing hardship evidence.
Believing an interpreter will give legal advice – the form states they cannot.
Not indicating a representative when one is present, leading to communication delays.
Leaving the language field blank when an interpreter is requested.
Failing to identify the relevant section of the Fair Work Act, causing incompleteness.
Thinking the form can be used for non‑dismissal general‑protections claims.
Source transparency
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