Dismissal of teacher who brought 3D-printed gun to school upheld

An ex-teacher who was sacked for bringing a 3D-printed replica firearm to school to show students was not unfairly dismissed, the Fair Work Commission has found.

Last year, a "digital technology and maths teacher" in her mid-50s, printed a 3D firearm to show students the potential of 3D-printing technology, according to relevant facts laid out in the commission's decision.

But the executive teacher to whom the teacher presented the replica upon arrival at school disapproved and told her to put it back in her bag.

In its findings, Fair Work Commissioner McKinnon wrote that the teacher "proudly showed [the executive teacher] what she had made over the weekend to show her students".

Commissioner McKinnon wrote the teacher then demonstrated pulling the top of the firearm back in preparation to fire, with her superior telling her in response "you can't show that to students".

Submissions to the Fair Work Commission detailed how in the days leading up to the incident in April 2025, the teacher and other staff members had discussed the idea of technology-related learning, including 3D printing, as a way of promoting the uptake of electives.

That weekend, she printed a replica handgun with a 3D printer using plans Commissioner McKinnon believed were most likely downloaded from the internet.

The incident sparked investigations from ACT police, who attended the school and later searched the teacher's home, seizing the firearm and 3D printing equipment.

The teacher was formally cautioned, with ACT Policing also reminding the public that creating or printing firearms was illegal.  

The teacher was suspended while authorities, including ACT Policing and the ACT Public Sector Standards Commissioner, investigated, before the school terminated her in January this year.

'Astonishing lack of judgement'

Soon after being fired, the teacher filed an unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission, saying her sacking was disproportionate and harsh given the isolated incident in her service nearing 22 years.

She had previously sought continued employment on the basis she was given a written warning, any necessary training, or transferred to a different school.

However, Commissioner McKinnon upheld the school's dismissal.

"The actions of printing a replica firearm and bringing it to school to show teenage students without realising this was a bad idea were not simply misguided," she wrote.

"They showed an astonishing lack of judgement for such an experienced teacher, as is made plain when considered against the reactions of other teachers who saw the replica firearm and instantly recognised that there may be risks involved".

In her decision, Commissioner McKinnon accepted no malice was involved in the teacher's conduct and that she had been responsive to the schools and authorities' procedures.

She found the emotional and financial impact on her family reduced the likelihood of repeat behaviour, and that the teacher had reflected and showed remorse.

"[The teacher] says … looking back, she should have sought permission to bring it [the 3D replica] to school," Commissioner McKinnon wrote in her decision.

"The submission begs the question: in what circumstances would she have expected permission to be granted to bring a replica firearm to school, or to show it to teenage students as an example of what they could make with technology, or indeed any other purpose?" she said.