[2] After an application by the Federal Minister for Workplace Relations, Fair Work Australia terminated the industrial action with effect from 2 am on 31 October 2011.

Industrial action by unions caused disruptions and delays to Qantas' flight schedule which cost the airline A$68 million.

[10] Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Jeff Lawrence described the day as the "darkest" in the airline's history.

[9] At a press conference on 29 October 2011, CEO Alan Joyce announced the immediate—and unprecedented[11]—grounding of all Australian domestic and international Qantas flights, effective 5pm AEDT, as a result of the proposed lock-out of the airline's staff, beginning at 8 pm AEDT on 31 October, in response to continued industrial action against the company.

[12][13] Qantas said it would reimburse accommodation costs for those left stranded by the fleet grounding, and refund those who were expected to fly with the airline.

[30] In the early hours of 31 October, a full bench of Fair Work Australia handed down orders that all industrial action taken by Qantas and the involved trade unions be terminated immediately.

[31][32] The order was requested by the federal government amid fears that an extended period of grounding would do significant damage to the national economy, especially with regards to the tourism and mining sectors.

[33] The government elected not to use its powers under Section 431 of the Fair Work Act 2009, which enabled a minister to unilaterally make a declaration to terminate industrial action.

[34] On 8 August 2012, Fair Work Australia rejected key union pay and contract-worker restriction demands.