Fair Work backs dismissal of Bimberi youth worker over unlocked door
A supervisor was fired for leaving a door unlocked, leading to two children being assaulted.
Two children at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre in Canberra were attacked after a supervisor left a connecting door between two wings unlocked in April 2025. The wings were kept separate because of violence risk.
The supervisor opened the door to check on residents. The supervisor failed to lock it again.
About 50 minutes later, four detainees found the door open. They entered the other wing and assaulted two children.
The supervisor was fired for serious misconduct. She took the case to Fair Work and said dismissal was unfair.
Commissioner Sarah McKinnon rejected her claim. The reason for dismissal was sound, defensible and well-founded.
The commissioner noted the supervisor had been trained in keeping doors secure and knew its importance.
- Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, Canberra
- Location
- April 2025
- When it happened
- Two children assaulted
- Victims
- Employed since 2022
- Worker tenure
Why it mattersDetention centre safety depends on staff following security rules. This case shows what happens when staff make mistakes. It also shows how Fair Work weighs these mistakes against workers' rights.
AustraliaAustralian youth detention centres must maintain strict security protocols; this decision signals Fair Work will back dismissals when safety-critical lapses lead to harm.
