Question
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Question of the week

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13 July 2018

Getting what's due

Employment Law
Federal

Asked

Employee entitlements

If a client has been engaged as an independent contractor for almost 3 years and every indication is that the client is actually an employee, what is the proper venue to commence proceedings to recover unpaid superannuation, annual leave, personal leave and the like?

Thank you!

Answered

Thank you for the question.

Options for commencing proceedings are covered in the By Lawyers Employment Law commentary and include:

1. Superannuation

Persons who believe that they are owed superannuation entitlements should contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) through its website or by telephone on 13 28 61.

2. Wages, employment conditions and industrial entitlements

Civil remedy provisions

Part 4-1 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) deals with the enforcement of civil remedy provisions of the legislation: see s 539. For example, breaches of:

  • the National Employment Standards, e.g. annual leave, personal/carer’s leave: see s 44.
  • an applicable modern award: see s 45.
  • the Fair Work Act provisions relating to the payment of wages: s 323.
  • national minimum wage orders: see s 293.
  • general protections provisions, e.g. sham contracting: see s 357, s 358 and s 359.

Option 1 – Make a complaint to the Fair Work Ombudsman

Information about the complaint process may be found here.

Option 2 – Apply to the Federal Circuit Court for an order

Employees may only apply to the Federal Circuit Court for orders if they are affected by a contravention, or proposed contravention, of a civil remedy provision of the Fair Work Act: see ss 539 to 544.

Option 3 – Bring a claim in a court

Section 539 sets out the standing and jurisdiction for applications for orders in relation to contraventions of civil remedy provisions.

Most employee entitlements claims can be brought in a State or Territory court, but there are some exceptions: see general protections part in s 539. Choice of court will depend upon the amount of the claim.

By Lawyers Litigation Guides can assist with how to commence proceedings and conduct the case.

Regards

Mentor