Fair Work Commission upholds dismissal of Canberra teacher over 3D-printed gun demo
A Canberra teacher who brought a 3D-printed handgun replica to class was found not to have been unfairly dismissed by the Fair Work Commission.
In April 2025, a digital technology and maths teacher in Canberra printed a replica handgun using internet-sourced plans and attempted to show it to students as a technology example. An executive teacher stopped her, and ACT police later seized the replica and her printing equipment, reminding the public that such creations are illegal. The teacher was suspended while investigations by ACT Police and the ACT Public Sector Standards Commissioner proceeded, and the school dismissed her in January.
She filed an unfair dismissal claim, seeking a warning, training, or transfer, arguing the action was harsh given her 22-year career. Fair Work Commissioner McKinnon concluded the teacher acted without malice but displayed “astonishing lack of judgement,” and upheld the school's decision as neither harsh nor disproportionate. The ruling emphasized that the teacher should have sought permission before bringing any replica firearm onto school grounds.
Why it matters
The case clarifies how Australian workplaces may handle breaches involving illegal 3D-printed weapons and employee discipline.
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