Get our help with a workplace problem

Find out how we can help with problems at work.

On this page:

Problems we can help with

We can help with:

  • underpayments and non-payment of wages and entitlements
  • pay rates, including penalty rates
  • notice of termination, redundancy entitlements or final pay
  • leave entitlements
  • hours of work and breaks
  • minimum conditions under the Fair Work Act, awards or enterprise agreements
  • sexual harassment
  • breaches of the Fair Work Act or National Employment Standards (NES).

Our decisions about taking enforcement action are guided by our Compliance and Enforcement Policy Compliance and Enforcement Policy.

We can’t help with issues outside of our jurisdiction such as:

We may refer you to other organisations for help with these issues. For more information, visit Other workplace relations help.

Getting our help with a workplace problem

We monitor compliance with Australia’s workplace laws and investigate alleged breaches of the Fair Work Act, awards and agreements.

When you ask for our help, we will review the information you provide and decide what action, if any, we will take.

We are guided by the following factors when making our decision:

We're independent and impartial, which means we don't represent employees or employers.

If you have made an anonymous report, we will review the information you provide, but we won’t contact you.

For more information about our role, visit Our role and purpose.

Before you ask for our help

We aim to make sure everyone understands and follows workplace laws. We do this by providing education and advice.

We’ll usually encourage you to resolve the problem yourself first. We may not be able to help with every workplace dispute or problem.

For information on how to resolve a workplace problem, visit Taking steps to fix a problem.

Tip: Download our guide to fixing workplace problems

We have a step-by-step guide, with examples and templates, to help employers and employees fix workplace problems.

Download our Employee's guide to fixing workplace problems .

After you ask for our help

If you haven’t been able to fix the problem, we can help you understand your options. This may include accessing our Dispute Assistance service.

Learn more about how to get in contact with us at Contact us.

Dispute Assistance

Dispute Assistance is a no-cost service we provide to employers and employees to resolve their workplace issues.

Any person involved in a workplace dispute can approach us for our advice and guidance. Most people who ask us for help can resolve their dispute through this service.

To learn more, go to Understanding our Dispute Assistance Service.

Anonymous reporting

If you know about a workplace not following the law, you can let us know anonymously.

We will ask you for some information about the business, but you won't be contacted after you submit the report.

For more information, visit Anonymous reporting.

Get our help in your language

We have information, resources and tools available in multiple languages that may be able to help with a workplace problem.

Find out more at Get help with a workplace problem in your language.

Tools and resources

Related information

Help for small business