How to claim unpaid wages over $20,000

If you have been underpaid by over $20,000, you’ll need to make a claim to the Fair Work division of the Federal Circuit Court.

This fact sheet explains what unpaid entitlements are and how to make a claim to the Fair Work division of the Federal Circuit Court. If you want to claim unpaid wages or entitlements over $20,000 in unpaid wages, this fact sheet will help you understand the process. For claims under $20,000, see our small claims fact sheet.

You can make a general application for unpaid entitlements within six years of when you were supposed to receive:

• unpaid wages, including overtime
• unpaid leave entitlements, including annual leave
• unpaid penalties or allowances, e.g. public holiday pay.

This fact sheet covers:

• What are ‘Unpaid Entitlements’?
• How to make an unpaid entitlements claim for more than $20,000 in the Federal Circuit Court
• Orders the Federal Circuit Court can make

More resources

Further reading:

• Fair Work Ombudsman – Taking legal action in the small claims court
• NSW Law Access – Employment rights
• The Law Handbook (NSW) – Chapter 22 on Employment Law
• Federal Circuit Court – Industrial Law
• Federal Court Rules 2011
• Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001