Application for approval of the Auriga Marine Astrolabe Enterprise Agreement 2025

[1] Auriga Marine Pty Ltd (the Applicant) has made an application for the approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Auriga Marine Astrolabe Enterprise Agreement 2025 (the Agreement). The application was made under s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] The title of the Agreement on the Notice of Employee Representational Rights (the NERR) is 'Auriga Marine Astrolabe Enterprise Agreement 2024' whilst the Agreement title in clause 1 is 'Auriga Marine Astrolabe Enterprise Agreement 2025.' Pursuant to s 188(5) of the Act, I am satisfied that the Agreement would have been genuinely agreed to but for the minor technical errors made in relation to the requirements set out in s 174(1A) of the Act. I am satisfied that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by the errors. As a result, I am satisfied that the Agreement has been genuinely agreed within the meaning of s 188(5) of the Act.

[3] On the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declarations, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss 186, 187 and 188 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[4] I note that the following clauses in the Agreement appear to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (the NES):

1. Termination - over 45: Clause 20.1 of the Agreement states that where the employer wishes to terminate an employee after the probation period, the employer will give four term weeks' notice in writing or full payment in lieu. Although this may be more beneficial in some circumstances than the notice period provided for in s 117(3) of the Act, it may be less beneficial for employees aged over 45 who have completed at least 2 years of continuous service with the employer, as they may be entitled to up to 5 weeks' notice of termination per s 117(3)(b) of the Act.

2. Abandonment - notice period not specified: Clause 20.4 of the Agreement provides an abandonment clause. This clause does not specifically provide that employees deemed to have abandoned their employment in accordance with this clause will be afforded their minimum notice of termination entitlement as per s 117(3) of the Act. Section 123 of the Act does not preclude an employee who has abandoned their employment from the entitlement to notice of termination provided by s 117 of the Act.

[5] However, I am satisfied that under clause 8.3 of the Agreement, the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

[6] The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union - The Maritime Union of Australia Division - Wester Australian Divisional Branch (the organisation), being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s 201(2), and based on the declaration provided by the organisation, I note that the organisation is covered by the Agreement.

[7] The Agreement was approved on 7 October 2025 and, in accordance with s 54, will operate from 14 October 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 7 October 2029.

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