Former Qantas staff will be chasing compensation, after Australia's High Court has upheld a decision against the airline.

It's agreed the airline illegally sacked more than 1700 workers during Covid.

It breached the Fair Work Act by outsourcing baggage handlers, cleaners and ground staff.

The Australian Transport Workers' Union's Nick McIntosh says the next step is going back to the federal court.

"These workers will have their compensation hearing held and then after that, there will be a penalty hearing about exactly how much money Qantas has to pay."

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