[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-171559-105":53,"doc-detail-171559-en":127},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":120,"head_meta":122,"extra_data":124,"updated_unix":126},105,"en","witness-statement-template-before-the-fair-work-commission","Witness Statement Template - Before the Fair Work Commission","","A structured witness statement template for use in proceedings before the Fair Work Commission, guiding witnesses to provide background, evidence, and a clear chronological account based on personal knowledge. It includes practical writing tips on specificity of times, places, people, and actions, and provides approved phrasing for uncertain dates or wording. The template also emphasizes what to avoid, such as hearsay, speculation, personal opinions, and legal arguments, and instructs proper signing and dating. It concludes with legal advice guidance and additional FWC resources.",{"@graph":63,"@context":119},[64,80,102],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/witness-statement-template-before-the-fair-work-commission/171559/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/witness-statement-template-before-the-fair-work-commission/171559.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Ezra","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document","2026-10-20","2026-09-01",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":101},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",10,{"@type":103,"mainEntity":104},"FAQPage",[105,111,115],{"name":106,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":108},"What sections should a witness statement include for the Fair Work Commission?","Question",{"text":109,"@type":110},"It should include a background section describing the witness’s position and role, an evidence section with numbered paragraphs and relevant subheadings, and a final confirmation, signature, and date.","Answer",{"name":112,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":113},"How should the statement describe events if the witness is unsure of exact dates or words?",{"text":114,"@type":110},"Use the phrase “on or about” for dates that are not exact, and use “words to the effect of” if you are unsure of the exact wording of a conversation.",{"name":116,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":117},"What should a witness avoid including in their witness statement?",{"text":118,"@type":110},"Avoid hearsay and workplace gossip, assumptions or speculation, personal opinions or character references, and statements about legal principles or why the case should be decided in the witness’s favour.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":121,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":123,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":125,"site_id":56},171559,1788284142,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":128},{"doc_id":125,"user_id":129,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":130,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":131,"file_id":132,"file_url":133,"file_type":134,"file_size":135,"view_count":101,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":76,"language":136,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":137,"faqs":138,"seo_title":139,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":126,"read_time":9},1099514068035,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_276721f389ce27ea32af1340a28f341c","Before the Fair Work Commission\nWitness statement of [name of witness]\nI, [full name of witness], of [insert address] make the following statement to the best of my knowledge and belief:\nBackground\n[Describe your position and role, how long you have been working etc].\nEvidence\n[Topic subheading if relevant]\n[State your evidence. Use numbered paragraphs]\nThe above Statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. This is the evidence I am prepared to give before the Fair Work Commission.\n[Sign and date your witness statement]\n[Signature]\n[Full name]\n[Date]\nTips for completing your witness statement\nStart by saying who you are and explaining your relationship to the case.\nStick to the facts of what you personally saw, heard, said and did.\nSet out events in chronological order (describe what happened in the order that it occurred).\nBe specific about times, places, people, and actions.\nIf you are not sure of the exact date something occurred, use the phrase ‘on or about’. Example:  On or about 5 June 2025, Joan came into my office.\nWrite conversations in the first person.\u000bExample:  I said ‘I'll email you the details’.\nIf you are unsure of the exact words said, use the phrase ‘words to the effect of’.  Example: - She said words to the effect of ‘Don’t worry, I quit’.\nAttach documents that you mention in the statement, or that support what you are saying. Explain what the document is and label it with a letter. \u000bExample: - On 1 March 2025, I received an email from Jan Smith. A copy of that email is attached and marked ‘A’.\nDon’t include:\nhearsay (what other people heard) or workplace gossip\nassumptions or speculation. If you don’t remember something, say so.\npersonal opinions or character references\nstatements about legal principles or why the case should be decided in your favour (these belong in your submissions not your witness statement)\nMake your witness statement easy to read:\nuse numbered paragraphs\nuse sub-headings if your statement deals with more than one topic or event\nkeep it concise and to the point - longer is not better!\nproofread – fix spelling mistakes, punctuation etc.\nMake sure you sign and date your witness statement when completed.\nLegal advice\nThe Commission cannot provide legal advice.\nParties may choose to get their own independent legal advice if they wish.\nEligible employees and small business employers may be able to get up to 1 hour of free legal advice through our \u0013 HYPERLINK \"https://www.fwc.gov.au/apply-or-lodge/legal-help-and-representation/legal-advice-workplace-advice-service\" \\h \u0014Workplace Advice Service\u0015.\nOther options may include:\n\u0013 HYPERLINK \"https://clcs.org.au/\" \\h \u0014Community legal centres\u0015 in your area.\nthe law institute or law society in your state or territory, who can refer you to a lawyer who specialises in workplace law.\nYour union or employer organisation, who may be able to help you.\nFor more options visit \u0013 HYPERLINK \"http://www.fwc.gov.au/legal-help\" \\h \u0014www.fwc.gov.au/legal-help\u0015\nOther useful resources\n\u0013 HYPERLINK \"http://Learn.fwc.gov.au/hearings\" \u0014Preparing for a Hearing online module\u0015\n\u0013 HYPERLINK \"http://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/resources/hearing-guide.pdf\" \u0014Preparing for a hearing guide\u0015\n\u0013 HYPERLINK \"http://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/resources/outline-of-submissions-template.docx\" \u0014Outline of submissions template\u0015\n\u0013 HYPERLINK \"http://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/resources/document-list-template-filing-checklist.docx\" \u0014Document list template & filing checklist\u0015\n\u0013 HYPERLINK \"http://www.fwc.gov.au/benchbooks\" \\h \u0014Case law Benchbooks\u0015","cbCaisb92vNjnCnR","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaisb92vNjnCnR","docx",41120,"English","# Witness statement structure\n## Background\n## Evidence\n# Tips for completing the witness statement\n## What to include\n## What not to include\n## Formatting and proofing\n# Legal advice and further resources","[{\"question\":\"What sections should a witness statement include for the Fair Work Commission?\",\"answer\":\"It should include a background section describing the witness’s position and role, an evidence section with numbered paragraphs and relevant subheadings, and a final confirmation, signature, and date.\"},{\"question\":\"How should the statement describe events if the witness is unsure of exact dates or words?\",\"answer\":\"Use the phrase “on or about” for dates that are not exact, and use “words to the effect of” if you are unsure of the exact wording of a conversation.\"},{\"question\":\"What should a witness avoid including in their witness statement?\",\"answer\":\"Avoid hearsay and workplace gossip, assumptions or speculation, personal opinions or character references, and statements about legal principles or why the case should be decided in the witness’s favour.\"}]","Witness Statement Template - Before the Fair Work Commission | DOCX"]