Official form guide
Form F80: Application for order about alteration of rules / Fee waiver
Form F80 is the Fair Work Commission’s application to have the filing fee waived because paying it would cause you serious hardship. Use it when you are making one of the listed Fair Work applications and cannot afford the fee.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Commission Form F80 - Application for order about alteration of rules / Fee waiver
Form F80 is the Fair Work Commission’s application to have the filing fee waived because paying it would cause you serious hardship. Use it when you are making one of the listed Fair Work applications and cannot afford the fee.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Leaving any question blank will likely cause your waiver to be refused.
- 2Blank fields or missing amounts
- 3Providing inaccurate or incomplete financial details
- 4Failing to sign the declaration
- 5Not explaining the serious hardship clearly
Plain English
If you need to apply to the Fair Work Commission but the fee would put you under serious financial strain, you fill out this short form. It asks about your income, assets, spending and why the fee would be a hardship, then you sign a declaration that the information is true.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the waiver together with your main Fair Work application; the Commission aims to decide within about three days of receipt.
- 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 are making one of the listed Fair Work applications and cannot afford the filing fee.
- Apply if paying the fee would cause you serious hardship, such as low income or high dependants.
- Complete this form to request a waiver before you lodge the main application (e.g., unfair dismissal, general protections).
- Only the applications listed on the form are eligible for a fee waiver.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You can pay the fee outright
No waiver needed
✓ Confirm you have sufficient funds
Any standard Fair Work application (e.g., F2, F8)
You need a waiver for a different type of dispute not listed
Choose the correct waiver form or none
✓ Verify eligibility list
Not applicable – F80 does not cover it
You are applying for a fee exemption for a non‑Fair Work matter
Different criteria apply
✓ Check the relevant agency’s guidelines
Separate agency form (e.g., WorkSafe)
Deadline or filing window
The Commission usually notifies you of the decision within three days; if the waiver is denied you must pay the fee before the matter can proceed.
Before you submit
- 1Fill Part A with full name, email and phone.
- 2Answer all questions in Part B; write $0 where no amount applies.
- 3Explain why you would suffer serious hardship, including living arrangements and dependants.
- 4Calculate total weekly income, assets, spending and debt accurately.
- 5Sign and date the declaration in Part C.
- 6Attach the completed F80 to your main Fair Work application.
- 7Keep a copy of the signed form for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest Form F80 from the Fair Work Commission website.
- 2Complete Part A, Part B and Part C as instructed.
- 3Sign and date the form.
- 4Lodge the form together with your main application via the Fair Work Commission online portal or by post.
- 5Save the receipt or confirmation of lodgement.
Known limitations
- 1Only eligible for the specific applications listed on the form.
- 2A false or misleading declaration is a serious offence.
- 3The Commission may request additional information if any question is left blank.
- 4If the waiver is refused, the fee must be paid before the matter can proceed.
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 F80 is the current fee‑waiver application approved by the Fair Work Commission, effective from 29 April 2026.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form version is the one approved on 29 April 2026.
- Verify the list of eligible applications matches the current regulations.
- Check that Part C declaration wording is unchanged.
- Ensure the privacy notice text is the latest version.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm approval date: 29 April 2026confirmed in source.
- SRCList of eligible applications for fee waiverconfirmed in source.
- SRCRequirement to complete all sections or risk refusalconfirmed in source.
- SRCDeclaration wording and offence warningconfirmed in source.
- SRCProcessing time usually within 3 daysconfirmed in source.
- SRCPrivacy notice detailsconfirmed in source.
Common confusion points
Leaving a question blank in Part B – the form may be rejected.
Not writing $0 for items with no amount – can be interpreted as missing information.
Providing insufficient detail on hardship – may lead to refusal.
Using the form for an ineligible application type.
Failing to sign or date the declaration.
Submitting the waiver separately from the main application.
Source transparency
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