Making a Fair Entitlements Guarantee claim

On this page:

Eligibility

You may be eligible for assistance under the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) if all the following apply:

  • Your employment has ended and your employer is now in liquidation or bankrupt.
  • The end of your employment:
    • was due to the insolvency of your employer, or
    • occurred less than 6 months before the appointment of an insolvency practitioner, or
    • occurred on or after the appointment of an insolvency practitioner.
  • You are owed employment entitlements and have taken reasonable steps to be paid those debts
  • At the time your employment ended, you were:
    • an Australian citizen, or
    • the holder of a permanent visa or special category visa.
  • You lodge an effective claim within 12 months of whichever date is later:
    • the date your employment ended or
    • the day your employer went into liquidation or bankruptcy.

Submit your claim as early as possible to avoid delays and ensure eligibility.

What to do if you are not eligible for FEG

You are not eligible for assistance under FEG if you:

  • Were a contractor (except certain textile, clothing and footwear outworkers).
  • Are an excluded employee under the Corporations Act 2001.
  • Converted from a contractor to an employee within 6 months of your employment ending or the insolvency practitioner being appointed.

If your job ended because your employer became insolvent and you’re not eligible for FEG, you can contact the insolvency practitioner handling your employer’s affairs. They can guide you through lodging a “proof of debt,” which is how you register as a creditor and claim what you’re owed.

Download the Eligibility for FEG assistance factsheet.

How to apply

The easiest way to apply is through FEG Online Services. It allows you to:

  • Lodge your claim quickly and securely.
  • Upload documents.
  • Track the progress of your claim.
  • Update your details if needed.

Download the How do I apply for FEG Assistance? factsheet.

Online applications

To register and lodge your claim online using FEG Online Services you will need:

  • A smartphone with an authentication app (e.g., Microsoft Authenticator).
  • Your bank account details
  • Your proof of citizenship or residency in a format that can be upload through the portal

You may also need:

  • Your Tax File Number (TFN).

Download the How do I access FEG Online Services factsheet.

Offline applications

If you can’t apply online, download and complete the FEG Claim form and submit it by:

  • email to FEG@dewr.gov.au
  • post:
    Fair Entitlements Guarantee Branch
    Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
    GPO Box 9828
    Canberra ACT 2601

Note: If you submit a hard copy claim form you will need to contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for a TFN Declaration. Visit the ATO’s Tax file number declaration page for more information.

Important timeframes:

You must lodge an effective claim within 12 months of whichever date is later:

  • the date your employment ended, or
  • the date your employer entered liquidation or bankruptcy.

Document requirements

Mandatory documents

You must provide evidence of your Australian citizenship or residency status at the time your employment ended. Acceptable documents include:

  • Australian passport (issued before employment ended)
  • Full Australian birth certificate
  • Australian citizenship certificate
  • Registration by Descent document
  • Visa Grant Notice or passport showing permanent or special category visa
  • For name changes: Change of Name Certificate or Marriage Certificate

Note: A driver’s licence is not acceptable evidence.

You can find more information about the documents you can use to prove your Australian citizenship or residency status in the FEG claim form.

Additional information

The department will also ask you to provide:

  • Bank account details (if you are assessed as eligible for FEG assistance):
    • The account must be in your name (a joint account is acceptable).
    • Double-check your BSB and account number. Incorrect details may result in payment delays or payments being sent to the wrong account, which may not be recoverable.
    • If you are unable to provide bank details, contact the FEG Hotline on 1300 135 040 (Monday–Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Canberra time, excluding ACT and national public holidays) or email FEG@dewr.gov.au.
  • TFN declaration:
    • The department must withhold PAYG tax under the Taxation Administration Act 1953.
    • If you provide your TFN, your payment will be taxed according to ATO notice of withholding variation.
    • If you do not provide your TFN or claim an exemption, your payment may be taxed at the top marginal rate.
    • You can make an electronic TFN Declaration through FEG Online Services. If you use hard copy claim form you will need to obtain a separate TFN Declaration from the ATO. Visit the ATO’s Tax file number declaration page for more information.

Supporting documentation

Your FEG claim is generally calculated using information verified by the insolvency practitioner as they have access to the employer’s records.

If you have information or evidence that may affect your assessment and you don’t believe the insolvency practitioner has access to these documents, you can provide them to the department when submitting your claim.

What you can claim

FEG covers five categories of unpaid entitlements:

  • Wages – up to 13 weeks.
  • Annual leave.
  • Long service leave.
  • Payment in lieu of notice – up to 5 weeks.
  • Redundancy pay – up to 4 weeks per full year of service.

The amount of your entitlement will be worked out based on the terms of your employment and FEG payments are capped by the Maximum Weekly Wage. For more information go to the claim assessment process page.

FEG does not cover unpaid superannuation. For superannuation issues, contact the ATO.

Getting help to complete the claim form

Using an agent or alternative contact

You can nominate an agent or alternative contact in your claim form.

  • Agents
    • can act on your behalf, view your claim details, upload documents, and receive or respond to correspondence.
    • cannot lodge a claim on your behalf, provide your TFN declaration, or change your bank details.
  • Alternative contacts
    • can make enquiries and receive information.
    • cannot act on your behalf.

If you want to nominate an alternative contact or agent, and are unable to use FEG Online Services, download the Alternative Contact and Agent Nomination form and submit it by:

  • email to FEG@dewr.gov.au
  • post:
    Fair Entitlements Guarantee Branch
    Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
    GPO Box 9828
    Canberra ACT 2601

Translation assistance

Privacy and keeping your details secure

Your personal information is protected under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

The department collects and uses your information to assess your claim, share details with relevant agencies when required by law, investigate and respond to complaints, and detect and prevent fraud within the FEG program.

For more information, please refer to the department’s Privacy Policy or email privacy@dewr.gov.au.

Keeping your details secure

We take your privacy seriously and encourage you to follow these steps to protect your personal information:

  • Sign up for FEG Online Services
    • Create a strong password or passphrase (minimum 14 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols).
    • Avoid reusing passwords from email or social media accounts.
    • Keep your login ID and password confidential.
  • Lodging a FEG Claim
    • Only use a trusted support person if you need help completing your claim.
    • Do not accept assistance from unknown individuals or social media contacts.
    • Keep your claim form, identity documents, banking details, and tax information secure.
  • Email correspondence about your FEG claim
    • The department will only email you from addresses ending in @dewr.gov.au.
    • If you receive a suspicious email:
      • Do not click links or open attachments.
      • Do not reply.
      • Report it immediately by calling the FEG Hotline on 1300 135 040.
  • Phone calls about your FEG claim
    • When you call the department, the department officer will verify your identity using your name, date of birth, and former employer.
    • If department calls you:
      • We will identify ourselves as from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations or FEG.
      • We will never ask for sensitive personal information over the phone.
    • If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the FEG Hotline on 1300 135 040.
    • If you receive a suspicious text, contact the FEG Hotline on 1300 135 040.

For more tips on protecting your information, visit ScamWatch and Australian Cyber Security Centre.

Where to get help and information

If you have questions about making an application, call the FEG Hotline: 1300 135 040 (Monday–Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Canberra time, excluding ACT and national public holidays) or email FEG@dewr.gov.au.

The claim assessment process

How FEG claims are assessed