AUSTRALIAN WOOL TESTING AUTHORITY LTD - UNITED WORKERS UNION ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2025

Application for approval of the Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd - United Workers Union Enterprise Agreement 2025

[1] Australian Wool Testing Authority Limited (Employer) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd - United Workers Union Enterprise Agreement 2025 (Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] The Employer provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in 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. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[3] Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 of the FW Act are relevant to this application for approval has been met. In coming to this conclusion, I have had regard to the material contained in the application, the accompanying declaration, the responses to issues identified, and the Statement of Principles.[1]

[4] I observe that clauses 18.1.5, 18.2.2, 29.1.2, and 29.11 of the Agreement may be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES). However, noting clause 8.3.2 of the Agreement, I am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

[5] The United Workers' Union (UWU) has given notice under s.183 of the FW Act that that it wants the Agreement to cover it.

[6] In accordance with s.201(2) of the FW Act, I note that the Agreement covers the UWU.

[7] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the FW Act, will operate from 19 August 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 April 2028.

[1] Fair Work (Statement of Principles on Genuine Agreement) Instrument 2023.

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