Job Watch Inc. is an employment rights legal centre that provides free and confidential information and assistance to Victorian workers through its easy-to-access telephone inquiry line. Telephone operators can speak directly with workers about issues such as unpaid wages, unfair and unlawful dismissal, workplace violence, misleading job advertisements, discrimination, workplace injuries, Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs), and general issues of work exploitation.

Job Watch Inc. may assist you in making employment-related complaints to the appropriate authorities. Some complaints need to be lodged with the relevant authority within particular time limits. This includes a 21-day period for unfair and unlawful dismissals and 12 months for discrimination complaints. An interpreter can be organised if needed, free of charge.

DEWR manages the provision of employment services by Job Network Members. These services include: job matching, job search training, intensive employment assistance and new enterprise incentive schemes.

Complaints about the delivery of employment services should be made to the job network member in the first instance. If you are unhappy with a decision about any of these programs you can ask for that decision to be reviewed. If the issue cannot be resolved, then the complaint may also be referred to the DEWR Customer Service Line.

Provides information about wage rates, wage retrieval and federal award coverage. DEWR investigates claims and helps employees resolve problems concerning their entitlements under workplace legislation. The department can help apprentices with enquiries and complaints about wages and general employment entitlements.

The AIRC deals with all unfair dismissal claims. It gives information about making a claim. Legal advice about unfair dismissal can be organised through Job Watch Inc. (ph: 9662 1933 or 1800 331 617), your local community legal centre or the Law Institute of Victoria's Referral Service (ph: 9607 9550 or go to www.liv.asn.au/directory/firmsref/). Union members should contact their union for advice as soon as possible after being dismissed.

Complaints should be lodged within 21 days of termination. There is a $51.40 filing fee on lodgment of the application. An application to have the fee waived can be made by those who suffer from financial hardship. If the dismissal is found to have been unfair, compensation or reinstatement can be ordered. The AIRC can arrange an interpreter if necessary.

Apprentices and parents can complain to the Apprenticeships Administration Branch about breaches of apprenticeship training agreements. The possible outcomes are varied depending on the nature of the complaint. There are no in-house interpreters available.

The inquiry line was originally set up by the Victorian Government following the Federal Government's changes to industrial relations legislation in 2006. The service aims to promote fair industrial relations practices and it specialises in problems concerning Work Choices legislation. However, they welcome calls from any one with employment complaints. The telephone service works in conjunction with the Workplace Rights Advocate (see their website at www.business.vic.gov.au/busvic/landing/1001/pc_61267.html).