Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Curtin University - non-AEC ballot agent electronic voting

• [1] This is an application by the National Tertiary Education Industry Union (NTEU or Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Curtin University (CU or Employer).

• [2] On 24 September 2025, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, did not object to the Application. However, the Employer submitted that the application was lodged using an old version of the applicable form and that it believed that the application was premature.

• [3] Rule 9(5) of the Fair Work Commission Rules 2024 (the Rules) provides that it is sufficient compliance with the Rules if a document is substantially in accordance with the approved form. I find that the application submitted by the NTEU is substantially in accordance with the approved form.

• [4] As there is no substantive objection to the application, I have decided to determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing.

• [5] On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Eva Bujalka, Industrial Officer, setting out the steps taken by the NTEU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with CU, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all of the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

• [6] The ballot is to be conducted by Fair Vote Services Pty Ltd (Fair Vote). Fair Vote has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot.

• [7] For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) of the Act, the Commission has determined that the date by which voting is to close is 14 October 2025.[1] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

• [8] An Order has been separately issued in PR792136.

• [9] This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference. That Member will issue an Order requiring the attendance of all bargaining representatives in the proposed enterprise agreement at the conference. It is likely that Directions will also be issued to ensure that the parties attend the conference ready to conduct meaningful negotiations.

[1] This was the date sought in the application.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer