Qantas Fined for Unlawful Dismissal of Employees
Canberra, ACT – August 18, 2025 – Qantas Airways Limited has been ordered to pay a penalty of $1.75 million following findings by the Federal Court of Australia that the company engaged in unlawful adverse action against a significant number of its employees. The judgment, delivered by Justice Moshinsky, marks a significant outcome in proceedings initiated by the Transport Workers’ Union of Australia (TWU).
The case concerned the dismissal of 2,070 ground handling staff by Qantas during the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020. The Federal Court previously found that Qantas breached the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) by taking adverse action against these employees, specifically dismissing them, for exercising their workplace rights. This included the right to make a protected claim and to engage in industrial activity.
The penalties imposed are intended to reflect the seriousness of the contraventions and to deter future misconduct. The court’s decision underscores the importance of upholding employees’ rights and ensuring fair and lawful employment practices within the aviation industry and beyond.
The TWU, representing the affected workers, welcomed the penalty, highlighting it as a victory for fairness and the rights of aviation workers. The union has consistently argued that the dismissals were not a necessary response to the economic challenges faced by Qantas but rather a strategic decision that unfairly impacted its dedicated workforce.
Qantas has not yet made a public statement regarding the penalty. The company had previously maintained that the redundancies were a necessary measure to ensure its survival during an unprecedented downturn in air travel.
This judgment serves as a potent reminder to employers of their obligations under Australian workplace laws and the consequences of failing to adhere to them. The Federal Court’s decision reinforces the principle that employers must not take adverse action against employees for exercising their fundamental workplace rights.
Transport Workers’ Union of Australia v Qantas Airways Limited (Penalty) [2025] FCA 971
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