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Help with workplace issues - 3 

3. What type of work-related complaints can be made to the Fair Work Ombudsman?

An employee can lodge a workplace complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman if they believe they aren’t getting the correct:

  • pay
  • conditions (for example annual leave or sick leave, overtime payments, long service leave entitlements)
  • workplace rights (for example, if someone tried to force, or has forced, them to sign an agreement); and if 
  • the employer is threatening to dismiss the worker

A workplace complaint can also be made if it appears that an employer (or prospective employer) is discriminating against an employee and this has occurred on or after 1 July 2009 based on:

Race or skin colour
Sex 
Sexual preference 
Age 
Physical or mental disability 
Marital status
Family or carer responsibilities 
Pregnancy 
Religion 
Political opinion 
Nationality

The worker may wish to consider lodging a harassment or discrimination complaint with the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board or the Australian Human Rights Commission if this is the case.


Back to: Help with workplace issues  |  Next: 4. Before making a complaint

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Community Resources

      Information

Fact sheets and other online resources providing general information on rights and entitlements in Australian workplaces.

 

      Practical Help

Steps to resolving a workplace issue and how to make a complaint.


For help with workplace problems, call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

 

For language assistance, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in the language you want.

 

NSW IR can deliver information sessions for staff, clients or students in plain English or through an interpreter. Call 9020 4532 for more information.