Costs And Fees Questions Answered Plainly
You are worried about the cost of a claim and want to know what is involved.
Costs and fees, explained for workers
Money worries are a real part of deciding whether to pursue a dismissal claim. It helps to know what is actually involved.
These are the questions workers ask most often about costs.
Does it cost anything to lodge a Section twenty representation?
You lodge the representation with the Department of Industrial Relations, and you do not need a lawyer to submit it.
Any cost at this stage comes only if you choose to get legal help first. The Section 20 page explains the step.
Do I have to pay a lawyer to attend conciliation?
No lawyer can represent you at conciliation, so there is no attendance fee.
A lawyer might still charge for helping you prepare beforehand, if you choose to use one.
How are lawyer fees usually arranged for these cases?
Fee arrangements vary between lawyers and firms. Agree them before any work begins.
Ask what is included and what is charged separately.
Will I have to pay if my case does not succeed?
That depends on the fee arrangement you agree with your lawyer, so settle it upfront.
No result can be promised in advance, so the fee structure matters whatever the outcome.
Are there any government fees involved in the process?
Lodging a representation is part of a statutory process. Confirm current requirements directly with the department.
This page does not state fee amounts, because they can change.
Can I get help without committing to anything financially?
Sending your facts to a lawyer does not commit you to anything.
Ask clearly about costs before you agree to any next step.
What should I ask about costs before hiring a lawyer?
Ask how fees are structured, which stages are covered, and what happens if the case changes direction.
Get the answers in writing. That avoids confusion later, including at the Industrial Court stage.
If you want a lawyer to act on your case, send the dismissal date and what happened to an independent employment lawyer. They can review the facts and reply on whether and how they can take it forward.
If cost is holding you back from asking a lawyer to act, mention it in your first message with the dismissal date. An independent employment lawyer can review the facts and reply on whether and how they can act.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.
Common questions
Does it cost anything to lodge a Section 20 representation?
You lodge the representation with the Department of Industrial Relations, and you do not need a lawyer to submit it. Any cost at this stage comes only if you choose to get legal help first.
Do I have to pay a lawyer to attend conciliation?
No lawyer can represent you at conciliation, so there is no attendance fee. A lawyer might still charge for helping you prepare beforehand, if you choose to use one.
How are lawyer fees usually arranged for these cases?
Fee arrangements vary between lawyers and firms. Agree them before any work begins, and ask what is included and what is charged separately.
Will I have to pay if my case does not succeed?
That depends on the fee arrangement you agree with your lawyer, so settle it upfront. No result can be promised in advance, so the fee structure matters whatever the outcome.
Are there any government fees involved in the process?
Lodging a representation is part of a statutory process. Confirm current requirements directly with the department, because this page does not state fee amounts that can change.
Can I get help without committing to anything financially?
Sending your facts to a lawyer does not commit you to anything. Ask clearly about costs before you agree to any next step.
What should I ask about costs before hiring a lawyer?
Ask how fees are structured, which stages are covered, and what happens if the case changes direction. Get the answers in writing to avoid confusion later.
Keep reading
If cost is holding you back from asking a lawyer to act, mention it in your first message with the dismissal date. An independent employment lawyer can review the facts and reply on whether and how they can act.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.