According to Workplace Authority Australia,

"Unlawful termination is when an employer dismisses an employee for an unlawful reason or without the required amount of notice."

"Employers must provide employees at least the following amount of notice:
~ up to 1 year's service = 1 week's notice
~ more than 1 year and up to 3 years' service = 2 weeks' notice
~ more than 3 years and up to 5 years' service = 3 weeks' notice
~ more than 5 years' service = 4 weeks' notice.

Note: If you're over 45 years of age and have worked at least 2 years of continuous service, you're entitled to 1 week extra notice."

What's unlawful (Workplace Authority Australia, 2009)?
"It's unlawful for an employer to dismiss an employee for these reasons:
~ race, colour, sex, sexual preference, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, religion, political opinion and nationality
~ being away from work for a temporary period because they're sick or injured
~ being / not being a union member
~ being part of any union activities outside work hours (or inside work hours with the employer's permission)
~ acting as an employee representative
~ suing the employer or making a complaint against them
~ refusing to sign or negotiate an individual transitional employment agreement (ITEA).
~ absence during parental leave
~ temporary absence to carry out a voluntary emergency management activity."


Find out Who's covered by unlawful termination, where to to, financial help to go to court at Workplace Authority Australia.