Brad Bennett v The Trustee for Vanzis Unit Trust

[2024] FWC 1250

[2024] FWC 1250

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.394—Unfair dismissal

Brad Bennett
v

The Trustee For Vanzis Unit Trust

(U2024/2607)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT CLANCY MELBOURNE, 21 MAY 2024

Application for an unfair dismissal remedy

1. On 8 March 2024, Mr Brad Bennett made an application to the Fair Work Commission for a remedy for unfair dismissal pursuant to s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act).

1. The application was incomplete in that Mr Bennett did not pay the required application fee, nor lodge a complete Form F80 – Application for waiver of the application fee (Form F80).

1. On 12 March 2024, the Commission attempted to contact Mr Bennet on his nominated telephone number. The call was not answered, and no voicemail facility was available. Later that day the Commission emailed correspondence to Mr Bennett’s nominated email address advising him that his application required payment of the application fee or a completed Form F80 if he wished to proceed with his application. That correspondence also warned that if payment was not made or a Form F80 was not received within 7 calendar days, his application may be dismissed. An SMS notification was also sent to Mr Bennet’s nominated telephone number advising him of the requirement to action the payment request email from the Commission.

1. On 18 March 2024, the Commission emailed correspondence to Mr Bennett’s nominated email address reminding him that his application required payment of the filing fee or a completed Form F80 if he wished to proceed with his application. That correspondence also warned that if payment was not made or a Form F80 was not received, his application may be dismissed.

1. On 19 March 2024, the Commission attempted to contact Mr Bennett on his nominated telephone number. The call was not answered and there was no option to leave a voicemail.

1. On 12 April 2024, the Commission made a final attempt to contact Mr Bennett on his nominated telephone number. The call was not answered and there was no opportunity to leave a voicemail. To date, Mr Bennett has not paid the required application fee and nor has he filed a completed a Form F80.

1. In relation to an application made pursuant to s.394 of the FW Act, s.395(1) provides that the application “must be accompanied by any fee prescribed by the regulations.” At the time the application was made, the regulations prescribed a fee of $83.30. The regulations also allow for an application to be made for the fee to be waived.

1. Section 587(1) of the FW Act provides as follows:

587 Dismissing applications

(1) Without limiting when the FWC may dismiss an application, the FWC may dismiss an application if:

(a) the application is not made in accordance with this Act; or

(b) the application is frivolous or vexatious; or

(c) the application has no reasonable prospect of success.

1. In considering all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the relevant application form was not accompanied by the prescribed fee and the application has not been made in accordance with the Act. Given the absence of the fee payment, it is likely that there is no valid application before the Commission[1] and no further action is required. A non-compliant application is directly contemplated by s.587(1)(a) of the Act. Despite the reminders and multiple requests, Mr Bennett has not paid the application fee. In these circumstances, I am satisfied that it is appropriate to dismiss the purported application. An Order[2] to this effect will be issued with this decision.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] Atanaskovic Hartnell Corporate Services Pty Limited t/a Atanaskovic Hartnell v Elizabeth Maree Kelly[2017] FWCFB 763 at [29].

[2] PR774962.

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<PR774961>