Where to report workplace bullying in Australia: Fair Work, SafeWork or the AHRC?

To report workplace bullying in Australia, start with your workplace where it is safe, then choose an outside body by what you want to happen: the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for an order to stop the bullying, your state or territory work health and safety (WHS) regulator to check how your employer is managing the risk, or the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) if the conduct involves discrimination or harassment covered by federal discrimination laws. Serious threats, stalking or assault are for the police. This guide is not legal advice.

Choose by what you want to happen

Inside your workplace first

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) suggests using your workplace's policies and processes first where it is safe, and talking privately with your manager (or a different manager if the issue is with yours), a health and safety representative or human resources. It also suggests keeping a written record of what happened, when and where, and who was present. See how to document workplace bullying and how to write a formal bullying complaint to HR.

SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Victoria both say that if your workplace doesn't know about the issue, this may limit how they can help.

Fair Work Commission: Form F72 and Form F75

The FWC deals with applications to stop bullying at work under the Fair Work Act, and the FWO points workers who are still employed to the Commission's eligibility quiz. Safe Work Australia's worker's guide gives employees of local councils and state governments as examples of workers the anti-bullying laws don't cover, and says the Commission's role is limited to preventing further bullying: it cannot issue fines or penalties or award financial compensation. For preparation, see our guides to Form F72 and FWC conciliation.

For sexual harassment, the FWC can make a stop sexual harassment order, deal with the dispute another way such as conciliation, or both. The FWO says applications usually need to be made within 2 years of the last incident, and a stop order needs you to still be connected to the workplace. See Form F75.

Your state or territory WHS regulator

WHS regulators check whether a business is meeting its health and safety duties, which include managing bullying as a risk. SafeWork NSW says it can check compliance, contacts the workplace by letter, phone or an inspector's visit, and will respond within 10 working days. It cannot mediate, give legal advice, provide counselling, take sides, order discipline or dismissal, or issue an order to stop bullying. WorkSafe Victoria's Psychosocial Advisory Team can give advice, refer matters to an inspector and help you lodge a WorkCover claim for a mental injury; it says contacting it does not automatically lead to an investigation.

What to bring: SafeWork NSW asks for specific behaviours, dates, locations and witnesses, plus items such as diary entries, emails, text messages and grievances. WorkSafe Victoria asks what happened, when and where, who was involved, and whether you reported it at work and what the outcome was. Both accept anonymous reports but say this limits what they can do or tell you.

The AHRC, anti-discrimination bodies and the police

The FWO says the AHRC accepts complaints about workplace bullying, harassment or discrimination covered by federal discrimination laws, such as sex, disability, race and age discrimination, and uses conciliation to reach a resolution. For sexual harassment, the FWO warns that you may not be able to apply to both the FWC and an anti-discrimination body about the same conduct, so check before lodging in two places.

If you feel unsafe now, phone 000. If there is no immediate danger but you need police help, phone 131 444. The FWO says to contact your local police if bullying involves serious threats or stalking.

A fictional example

Fictional example, not a real case. Ana works in a Melbourne warehouse. Her notes show the shift supervisor shouting at her in front of the team on Monday 21 September, Tuesday 29 September and Monday 5 October 2026. She emailed HR on Wednesday 7 October and had no reply by Tuesday 13 October. She is still employed and wants the behaviour to stop, so she does the FWC eligibility quiz, and she calls WorkSafe Victoria with her dates and the HR email ready. After each call she notes the date, who she spoke to and the next step.

Whichever route you choose, our incident log template helps put the dates in order first.

Kirokune keeps your notes, photos and recordings in one case on your iPhone, in date order, and lets you set when something happened separately from when you saved it, so dates are easy to find for a form or a call. The free version includes one case with unlimited records and needs no account; PDF export is a Kirokune Plus (paid) feature. Kirokune doesn't sync or keep its own cloud copy; if iPhone backup (iCloud or a computer) is on, your records are included in it. It does not decide what happened, which body to go to, or give legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report bullying in the workplace in Australia?

Where it is safe, start with your workplace's policy and talk to your manager (or a different one), HR, a health and safety representative or your union. If it continues, the options include the Fair Work Commission (an order to stop bullying), your state or territory WHS regulator, and the AHRC for discrimination or harassment covered by federal discrimination laws. Contact the police about serious threats, stalking or assault.

Should I go to Fair Work or SafeWork about bullying?

They do different jobs. The Fair Work Commission can make an order to stop bullying for workers it covers, where there is a risk the bullying will continue. A WHS regulator such as SafeWork NSW checks whether the employer is meeting its health and safety duties; it does not mediate, take sides or issue stop-bullying orders.

Can the Fair Work Commission award compensation for bullying?

No. Safe Work Australia's worker's guide says the Commission's anti-bullying role is limited to preventing further bullying, and that it cannot issue fines or penalties or award financial compensation. Ask an adviser if compensation is what you are seeking.

Can I report workplace bullying anonymously?

SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Victoria accept anonymous reports, but both say this limits what they can do or how they can keep you updated. For workplace sexual harassment, the FWO also has an anonymous report form; it reviews the report but won't contact you.

What should I have ready before I report?

Your incidents in date order with places and witnesses, any diary entries, emails or messages, the date you raised it at work and the reply, the names and roles of the people involved, your employer's correct name and what you want to happen.

Kirokune helps you keep a record. It does not diagnose, decide what happened, or give legal advice.