Assistance for small business

The Fair Work Ombudsman can provide advice on pay and conditions. See:

• Help for Small Business | Small Business Showcase Fair Work Ombudsman
• Employer Advisory Service .

We set the national minimum wage, approve enterprise agreements and make modern awards. However, we cannot provide advice on pay and conditions.

Business.gov.au  is a whole-of-government website for the Australian business community. It has an Adviser finder that can help you find local business advisers and experts. It also has information about how to hire employees, your legal obligations, resolving disputes and ending employment. See: Employees | business.gov.au .

We cannot provide advice about your employment obligations.

The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code (the Code) may help you follow a fair process if you need to dismiss an employee. If a claim is made against your business, you can object on grounds that you have complied with the Code. See dismissal rules for small business.

We cannot provide you advice about performance management or ending employment, The Fair Work Ombudsman have extensive Help for Small Business  in their Small business showcase.  See:

• Managing performance and warnings
• Ending employment .

Someone may make a claim against you about a dismissal, workplace bullying, sexual harassment or other actions. When this happens they start a legal process begins. You must respond to the application using the correct form. This is a very important step to help us understand your side of the case. See Respond to a claim against a business.

As part of responding to the claim, it may be appropriate for you to object if you believe the applicant or application has not met eligibility criteria. For example, if there is a time limit to apply and the application missed the deadline.

An objection is not simply that you disagree with the claims being made. Information is available for employers about the types of objections that can be made to help you decide how to respond and whether to object.

Small business owners often choose to represent themselves. You:

• do not need a lawyer to access our service
• can ask a friend or family member to 'act for' you
• can seek advice from a lawyer or paid agent.

You may be eligible for free legal advice through the workplace advice service. 

If you choose to get paid legal advice, see Tips to choose a lawyer or paid agent.

You can access information in the way you choose – through our website at www.fwc.gov.au, by telephone on 1300 799 675, or in person at one of our office locations .

If you have a hearing, sight or speech impairment, you can use the Speech to Speech Relay through the National Relay Service on 133 677. We can also arrange assistance for you at a hearing or conciliation. You just need to ask us. See accessibility.

You can use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) to call us. you can call TIS  on 131 450.

Tell the operator:
• your language — so they can connect you to an interpreter
• our name — the Fair Work Commission
• our phone number — 1300 799 675.

We can also arrange an interpreter if you need to take part in a meeting or a hearing.

Being part of a case at the Fair Work Commission can be stressful. Help is available so you can look after your mental health and wellbeing.

When you interact with us, we will act in accordance with our Service Charter, which includes a commitment to be courteous, respectful and helpful. In return, we expect you to treat us as you would like to be treated, and that you will avoid unacceptable behaviour. 

We may suggest that you seek support if we are concerned for your mental health and wellbeing. See Support for your health and wellbeing.