Andrews Tupuola v Dean Kidd [2020] FWC 1126

1 Fair Work Act 2009 s.394—Unfair dismissal Andrews Tupuola v Dean Kidd (U2020/1015) COMMISSIONER BISSETT MELBOURNE, 2 MARCH 2020 Application for an unfair dismissal remedy. [1] On 29 January 2020 Mr Andrews Tupuola made an application to the Fair Work Commission for a remedy for unfair dismissal pursuant s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). [2] The application made by Mr Tupuola was incomplete in that it did not include payment of the required fee or a completed fee waiver form in accordance with s.395 of the FW Act. [3] Section 395 of the FW Act which deals with application fees provides as follows: 395 Application fees (1) An application to the FWC under this Division must be accompanied by any fee prescribed by the regulations. (2) The regulations may prescribe: (a) a fee for making an application to the FWC under this Division; and (b) a method for indexing the fee; and (c) the circumstances in which all or part of the fee may be waived or refunded. [4] On 31 January 2020 the Commission attempted to contact Mr Tupuola on his nominated mobile telephone number. A voicemail message was left requesting he return the Commission’s call in relation to the payment of the application fee and advising that the Commission would also send him correspondence and a blank fee waiver form. [5] Later that day, the Commission emailed correspondence to Mr Tupuola’s nominated email address advising he was required to pay the filing fee or file a completed fee waiver [2020] FWC 1126 DECISION -- 1 of 2 -- [2020] FWC 1126 2 form. That correspondence also advised that if payment is not made or a fee waiver form is not received within 14 days, the application may be dismissed. [6] On 1 February 2020 Mr Tupuola emailed correspondence to the Commission advising he would pay the filing fee on Monday 3 February 2020. Following this email correspondence, Mr Tupuola did not contact the Commission to make payment. [7] On 14 February 2020 the Commission attempted to contact Mr Tupuola on his nominated telephone number in relation to the correspondence dated on 31 January 2020. Mr Tupuola did not answer and a voicemail message was left for him. [8] To date payment of the required fee has not been made and no fee waiver form has been received. [9] Section 587(1) of the FW Act provides that: 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 prospects of success. [10] Having regard to the circumstances of this matter, I am satisfied that as the application was not accompanied by the fee prescribed by the FW Act, the application was not made in accordance with the FW Act. As such, the application is dismissed pursuant to s.587(1)(a) of the FW Act. An Order1 to this effect will be issued shortly. COMMISSIONER Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer <PR717158> Endnote: 1 PR717159. -- 2 of 2 --