What to do in the first days
The clock starts the day you are dismissed, so the first moves matter most.
The 60-day window starts running from the day you are dismissed. This page puts the first moves in order, so you protect your options while they are still open.
First, protect your deadline
There is a strict time limit to act. You usually have 60 days from your dismissal to lodge a written representation asking to be reinstated.1
Work out your exact date and how many days are left on the 60-day deadline calculator. If you are close to the line, treat everything else as second priority.
Second, save your evidence
Save your termination letter, contract, payslips, appraisals and any messages about your exit, and do not delete or change anything.
Screenshot chats with the date and sender visible. Forward important emails to a personal address before your work account closes.
A clear timeline with dates is worth more than a long story. See what to keep and how.
Third, understand what happened
Was this a straightforward dismissal, a forced resignation, a retrenchment or a disciplinary process? The category shapes your next step.
If you are not sure, start with what unfair dismissal means. Then read how to lodge a Section 20 representation, so a later conversation is quicker.
If you are short on time
If you have only an hour, do two things. Write down your dismissal date, then save your termination letter and recent messages in one folder.
Everything else can follow once those are safe. A lawyer can start from the date and the letter.
Then, ask a lawyer to review your case
You do not need everything sorted before you ask. A few plain sentences about what happened, and the date, are enough for an independent lawyer to review.
They will reply on whether and how they can act for you.
If you have just been dismissed and want a lawyer to act, send the date it happened and what was said. 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
What is the single most urgent thing after a dismissal?
Protect the deadline. You usually have 60 days from your dismissal to lodge a Section 20 representation, so find your exact date and how much time is left before anything else.
Should I sign anything my employer gives me?
Read it before you sign, and take your time even if you feel rushed. Signing to say you received a letter does not mean you agree the dismissal was fair. A release can affect your options, so check it first.
Do I need a lawyer straight away?
Not for the first steps, but involving one early helps you avoid mistakes. You can gather your documents and check your deadline first, so a lawyer sees a clear picture.
Sources
- An employee who considers they were dismissed without just cause or excuse may lodge a written representation to the Director General of Industrial Relations within 60 days of the dismissal (Section 20, Industrial Relations Act 1967). Mah Weng Kwai & Associates, Unfair Dismissal
Keep reading
If you have just been dismissed and want a lawyer to act, send the date it happened and what was said. 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.