Employment & Industrial Relations
About this NPA
The Employment and Industrial Relations National Practice Area (NPA) comprises of civil and criminal matters arising under the Fair Work jurisdiction and related legislation including:
- workplace-related applications
- writs of mandamus or prohibition
- injunctions
- declarations
- prosecutions
- matters transferred or appealed from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, other Courts or the Fair Work Commission.
Latest Judgments
- 28 Oct 2026:
ECA Training Pty Limited v Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia [2026] FCAFC 138
INDUSTRIAL LAW – alleged contraventions of ss 501 and 502 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the FW Act) – where permit holders sought entry to relevant premises pursuant to s 484 of the FW Act – where the primary judge found that officials believed that apprentices engaged in paid employment undertaking off-the-job training at the premises of the…
Judge: RANGIAH, SNADEN AND HATCHER JJ - 27 Oct 2026:
Comcare v Zakman [2026] FCA 1603
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – appeal from decision of the Administrative Review Tribunal – appeal allowed by consent
Judge: GOODMAN J - 23 Oct 2026:
Gavin v Svitzer Australia Pty Ltd (Relief) [2026] FCA 1582
INDUSTRIAL LAW – employment – question of relief – where applicant seeks reinstatement, compensation for economic and non-economic loss to the date of reinstatement, and a further amount for aggravated (or general) damages and interest, or, alternatively, compensation for past and future economic loss, a further amount for aggravated damages and…
Judge: NEEDHAM J
Practice Notes
- Central Practice Note (CPN-1)
- Employment and Industrial Relations Practice Note (E&IR-1)
Form & Rules
The key forms and rules for commencing proceedings are:
- Commencing an originating application alleging dismissal in contravention of a general protection proceeding:
| Forms: |
|
| Rules: |
|
- Commencing application for a writ of mandamus, prohibition or injunction under section 39B of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) must file:
| Forms: |
|
| Rules: |
|
Legislation
- Federal Court Act 1976 (Cth)
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
- Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (Cth)
- Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth)
Subscribe
To stay up-to-date with news in the Federal Court, including developments in this NPA, subscribe to our email subscription services.
We provide subscriptions to the latest judgments and events (by NPA); Practice News to keep up-to-date with changes to practice and procedure; and Daily Court Listings.
