[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the APMS and MUA North West Inshore Agreement 2024 (the Agreement). The Application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Australian Port and Marine Services Pty Ltd (the Applicant). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, that commenced operation on 6 June 2023. The notification time for the Agreement under s.173(2) was 19 December 2024 and the Agreement was made on 21 February 2025. Accordingly, both the genuine agreement and the better off overall test requirements are those applying on and from 6 June 2023.

[3] The Applicant expressed the view that the Agreement passes the Better Off Overall Test (BOOT) and provided a summary of why it expressed this view. Consistent with s.193A(3) of the Act I have given consideration to this view when determining whether the Agreement passes the BOOT. The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), who were a bargaining agent, did not express a view as to whether the Agreement passes the BOOT.

[4] The Applicant has provided written undertakings (Annexure A). I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

[5] An issue was identified with respect to the definition of a shiftworker and the additional week of annual leave provided by s.87 of the Act. However, the Applicant has confirmed that all of the employees covered by the Agreement are casual. Given the nature of the operation, it is not foreseeable that this will change through the life of the Agreement. As such, the shiftworker definition does not create a BOOT issue.

[6] Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each requirement of ss186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[7] The CFMEU lodged a Form F18 statutory declaration giving notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act, I note the Agreement covers the CFMEU.

[8] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 28 March 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 June 2026.

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