PFAS Contamination Class Action

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyls (PFAS) are a class of harmful chemicals commonly found in products that reduce heat, stains, grease and water. They are common in many household products, such as carpets and non-stick cookware. PFAS are concerning because they do not naturally degrade. They are ingested by humans and animals, and accumulate in the body. A small amount of daily exposure can lead to high concentrations over time.

PFAS soil and groundwater contamination can lead to high levels of the chemical in drinking water, agricultural land, animals and residents.

The full effect on human health is not known.

This is a class action against the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Defence) (Commonwealth). It is alleged that the Commonwealth negligently allowed contaminants within the fire-fighting foam, to escape from Defence Bases around Australia, causing damage to property owners and/or causing unlawful impacts.

If you register as a 'Represented Class Member' of the PFAS Contamination Class Action you will be represented by Shine Lawyers and Litigation Capital Management (LCM), the company funding this class action.

If you register as a 'Registered Unrepresented Class Member' of the PFAS Contamination Class Action you will not enter into any contract with Shine Lawyers and Litigation Capital Management (LCM), the company funding this class action. Please note that in future, the Court may require you to contribute to the legal and administrative costs for this case out of any compensation you may receive.

If you have any questions or require assistance in completing your registration, please contact Shine Lawyers on 1800 066 173.

No. If the claim is unsuccessful, the litigation funder in this case will be liable to pay any adverse costs on behalf of all claimants and any costs the litigation funder has paid up until that point will not have to be repaid.

Regardless of the outcome, the litigation funder and Shine Lawyers will only be repaid from any settlement or judgment amounts, not out of the claimants’ pockets.

It costs nothing to join the class action. For funding information specific to the class action being run in your region, please visit the “Common Questions” section of the page for your location:

• Bullsbrook PFAS Contamination Class Action
• Darwin PFAS Contamination Class Action
• Edinburgh PFAS Contamination Class Action
• Richmond PFAS Contamination Class Action
• Townsville PFAS Contamination Class Action
• Wagga Wagga PFAS Contamination Class Action
• Wodonga PFAS Contamination Class Action

If the class action is successful, the amount of compensation will vary from property owner to property owner as it depends on your individual circumstances.

The PFAS Contamination Class Action is seeking damages for property owners for economic loss. This includes the diminution in value of their land.

The PFAS Contamination Class Action does not include personal injury claims for exposure to the PFAS contamination. The adverse health effects of exposure to PFAS chemicals, and the viability of a class action will continue to be investigated. Class actions such as this have been run in other countries around the world for both defence force personnel and communities.