[2025] FWC 3858
General information, not legal advice.
Fair Work Commission
2025-12-16
Commissioner P
Original judgment source is linked above.
s.229 - Bargaining order
Application for an interim bargaining order to prevent vote on an enterprise agreement - requirements of s.229(4) not met - appropriate to consider the application in the circumstances - requirements of s.230(3)(a) not met - application for interim bargaining order dismissed
(1) FWA may make decisions as to how, when and where a matter is to be dealt with.
(2) FWA may make an interim decision in relation to a matter before it.
(4) This section does not limit FWA's power to make decisions.
(1) A bargaining representative for a proposed enterprise agreement may apply to the FWC for an order (a bargaining order ) under section 230 in relation to the agreement.
Note: See also section 255A (limitations relating to greenfields agreements).
(2) An application for a bargaining order must not be made in relation to a proposed multi - enterprise agreement unless a supported bargaining authorisation or single interest employer authorisation is in operation in relation to the agreement.
(3) The application may only be made at whichever of the following times applies:
(a) if one or more enterprise agreements apply to an employee, or employees, who will be covered by the proposed enterprise agreement:
(i) not more than 90 days before the nominal expiry date of the enterprise agreement, or the latest nominal expiry date of those enterprise agreements (as the case may be); or
(ii) after an employer that will be covered by the proposed enterprise agreement has requested under subsection 181(1) that employees approve the agreement, but before the agreement is so approved;
Note: An employer that is required to give a notice of employee representational rights under subsection 173(1) cannot request employees to approve the agreement under subsection 181(1) until 21 days after the last notice is given.
(4) The bargaining representative may only apply for the bargaining order if the bargaining representative:
(i) one or more of the bargaining representatives for the agreement have not met, or are not meeting, the good faith bargaining requirements; or
(ii) the bargaining process is not proceeding efficiently or fairly because there are multiple bargaining representatives for the agreement; and
(b) has given a written notice setting out those concerns to the relevant bargaining representatives; and
(c) has given the relevant bargaining representatives a reasonable time within which to respond to those concerns; and
(d) considers that the relevant bargaining representatives have not responded appropriately to those concerns.
Non - compliance with notice requirements may be permitted
(5) The FWC may consider the application even if it does not comply with paragraph (4)(b) or (c) if the FWC is satisfied that it is appropriate in all the circumstances to do so.
(1) FWA may make a bargaining order under this section in relation to a proposed enterprise agreement if:
(a) an application for the order has been made; and
(b) the requirements of this section are met in relation to the agreement; and
(c) FWA is satisfied that it is reasonable in all the circumstances to make the order.
Agreement to bargain or certain instruments in operation
(2) FWA must be satisfied in all cases that one of the following applies:
(a) the employer or employers have agreed to bargain, or have initiated bargaining, for the agreement;
(b) a majority support determination in relation to the agreement is in operation;
(c) a scope order in relation to the agreement is in operation;
(d) all of the employers are specified in a low‑paid authorisation that is in operation in relation to the agreement.
(i) one or more of the relevant bargaining representatives for the agreement have not met, or are not meeting, the good faith bargaining requirements; or
(ii) the bargaining process is not proceeding efficiently or fairly because there are multiple bargaining representatives for the agreement; and
(b) that the applicant has complied with the requirements of subsection 229 (4) (which deals with notifying relevant bargaining representatives of concerns), unless subsection 229 (5) permitted the applicant to make the application without complying with those requirements.
Bargaining order must be in accordance with section 231
(4) The bargaining order must be in accordance with section 231 (which deals with what a bargaining order must specify).
(1) The following are the good faith bargaining requirements that a bargaining representative for a proposed enterprise agreement must meet:
(a) attending, and participating in, meetings at reasonable times;
(b) disclosing relevant information (other than confidential or commercially sensitive information) in a timely manner;
(c) responding to proposals made by other bargaining representatives for the agreement in a timely manner;
(d) giving genuine consideration to the proposals of other bargaining representatives for the agreement, and giving reasons for the bargaining representative's responses to those proposals;
(e) refraining from capricious or unfair conduct that undermines freedom of association or collective bargaining;
(f) recognising and bargaining with the other bargaining representatives for the agreement.
Note: See also section 255A (limitations relating to greenfields agreements).
(2) The good faith bargaining requirements do not require:
(a) a bargaining representative to make concessions during bargaining for the agreement; or
(b) a bargaining representative to reach agreement on the terms that are to be included in the agreement.
[33] For the reasons which follow we reject the Appellant's contention that an interim anti-bullying order may be issued based only on a prima facie case, or serious question to be determined, and the balance of convenience favouring the interim relief sought. In our view s.789FF allows the Commission to make an anti-bullying order, including an interim order, only if it is 'satisfied' that a worker has been bullied at work and that there is a risk that the bullying will continue.
[34] Contrary to the Appellant's submission we generally agree with the analysis of Deputy President Colman in Mayson. In particular:
Further to the email from my colleague, Andrei Bilic dated 3 December 2025, HSU confirms that the proposal currently circulated is not endorsed by our members at Laverty Pathology.
We note that despite Laverty's claims to engage in discussions and consider non-financial claims made during the mandatory conciliation in the FWC on 1st December, Laverty's position is that they are proceeding with opening the access period on Monday, 8th December 2025 with the Enterprise Agreement in its current form to be balloted on 17th December. This constitutes breach of good faith bargaining as outlined in s228 and s229 of the Fair Work Act 2009.
Additionally, we support the concerns raised by the Pathology Council of Australia regarding Laverty proceeding unilaterally to an Access Period and ballot despite the outstanding issues and the non-endorsement of the current proposed EBA by majority of the employees.
Given the above, we agree with PCA that the most appropriate path forward is for Laverty to recommence bargaining and engage with all Employee Bargaining Representatives in good faith, as required under the Fair Work Act.
Failing this, HSU will have no alternative but to seek the intervention of the Fair Work Commission.
The Phlebotomists Council of Australia (PCA) confirms that the proposal currently circulated is not endorsed by our members at Laverty Pathology.
Further, we raise serious concerns that the employer's decision to issue notice of a second Access Period commencing Monday, 8 December, and to proceed to a ballot on Wednesday, 17 December, constitutes a breach of the Good Faith Bargaining Requirements under sections 228-229 of the Fair Work Act 2009.
Only one day ago, the employer advised the bargaining representatives:
"However, we will not communicate to all employees to the effect that the changes in the 2025 EA are all with the agreement of the bargaining representatives unless you provide your endorsement of the proposed replacement enterprise agreement by 12pm Friday 5 December 2025."
It is therefore inconsistent and unreasonable for the employer to now proceed unilaterally to an Access Period and ballot, particularly when:
1. The HSU has formally requested additional time to undertake a democratic vote of its members; and
2. All Employee Bargaining Representatives have rejected the proposal in its current form.
Additionally, we place on record our concern that:
We further note that including the mandatory Award wage increase applied in July 2025 (to meet legislative obligations ensuring no employee is paid below Award minimums) within the enterprise agreement wage proposal is not transparent and may mislead employees as to the true value of the offer. Should Laverty seek approval of this agreement, we will formally object on this basis.
Given the above, we advise that the most appropriate path forward is for Laverty to return to the bargaining table and engage with all Employee Bargaining Representatives in good faith, as required under the Fair Work Act.
Failing this, we will have no alternative but to seek the intervention of the Fair Work Commission.
We request immediate confirmation of Laverty's intentions.

R Luxton for The Phlebotomists Council of Australia.
B Gee and A Sullivan, solicitors and employer bargaining representatives for Healius Pathology Pty Ltd
[5] Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union-Mining and Energy Division v Tahmoor Coal Pty Ltd [2010] FWAFB 3510 (Tahmoor Coal) at [30].
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Health Services Union
Healius Pathology Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 3858