austlii:cth/FWCA/2026/671
General information, not legal advice.
FWCA
2026-03-18
Original judgment source is linked above.
s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement
PROGRAMMED FACILITY MANAGEMENT SOUTH EAST WATER AMWU MECHANICAL AND FIELD SERVICES AGREEMENT 2025
Application for approval of the Programmed Facility Management South East Water AMWU Mechanical and Field Services Agreement 2025
[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Programmed Facility Management South East Water AMWU Mechanical and Field Services Agreement 2025 (the Agreement). The application is made under section 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.
[2] The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of these undertakings is attached in Annexure A. I am satisfied 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. I therefore note the undertakings are taken to be terms of the Agreement under section 201(3) of the Act.
[3] I note that the following provisions are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards:
Clause 3.2.2(b) - Withholding of monies at termination
Clause 3.4.1 - Redundancy
[4] However, noting clause 1.7.3 of the Agreement, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the National Employment Standards will prevail where there is an inconsistency with the Agreement.
[5] Subject to the undertakings, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of sections 186, 187, 188, 190, 193 and 193A relevant to this application for approval have been met. The Agreement does not cover all the employees of the employer, however, taking into account the factors in sections 186(3) and (3A), I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.
[6] The "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union being a bargaining representative for the Agreement has given notice under section 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. I therefore note the Agreement covers the organisation under section 201(2) of the Act.
[7] The Agreement is approved today 18 March 2026. It will operate from 25 March 2026 as required by section 54 of the Act. The nominal expiry date is 25 March 2029.
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