Catholic Commission for Employment Relations

[2020] FWCA 6915

[2020] FWCA 6915

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement

Catholic Commission for Employment Relations
(AG2020/3292)

CATHOLICCARE WOLLONGONG (CATHOLIC FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2020

Social, community, home care and disability services
DEPUTY PRESIDENT MANSINI	MELBOURNE, 21 DECEMBER 2020

Application for approval of the CatholicCare Wollongong (Catholic Family Welfare Services) Enterprise Agreement 2020.

[1] Catholic Commission for Employment Relations has applied for approval of a single enterprise agreement known as the CatholicCare Wollongong (Catholic Family Welfare Services) Enterprise Agreement 2020 (the Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act).

[2] Since the application was made, the Commission raised concerns about whether the pre-approval requirements were met, the Agreement contains mandatory terms and passes the better off overall test. Further information was provided in relation to these concerns.

[3] Catholic Commission for Employment Relations sought to correct two typographical errors in the original application. The Independent Education Union of Australia, being an employee bargaining representative, consented. In the circumstances, I am satisfied that the correction should be allowed and that it is appropriate to do so pursuant to s.586 of the Act.

[4] Noting clause 2.6 of the Agreement, I am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the National Employment Standards in the Act (NES) will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

[5] Written undertakings were given in accordance with s.190 of the Act and are attached at Annexure A (Undertakings). The bargaining representative did not oppose the Undertakings. 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. Pursuant to s.201(3) of the Act, the Undertakings are taken to be terms of the Agreement.

[6] On the basis of the material contained in the application, further information provided on request of the Commission and the Undertakings, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[7] The Independent Education Union of Australia, being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act. In accordance with s.201(2), I note that the Agreement covers this organisation.

[8] The Agreement was approved on 21 December 2020 and, in accordance with s.54, will operate from 28 December 2020. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 28 December 2023.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE509885  PR725659>

Annexure A