Central Land Council

Case [2025] FWCA 1277


[2025] FWCA 1277

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Central Land Council

(AG2025/694)

CENTRAL LAND COUNCIL ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2025 – 2027

Northern Territory

COMMISSIONER HUNT

BRISBANE, 16 APRIL 2025

Application for approval of the Central Land Council Enterprise Agreement 2025 – 2027

  1. Central Land Council (the Employer) has applied for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Central Land Council Enterprise Agreement 2025 – 2027 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

  1. The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Act, commencing operation on 6 June 2023. The notification time for the Agreement under s.173(2) was 2 October 2024 and the Agreement was made on 28 February 2025. Accordingly, the genuine agreement requirements and the better off overall test requirements are those applying on and from 6 June 2023.

  1. The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) raised certain concerns regarding the Agreement with the Employer, and as a result, the Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached at Annexure A. Pursuant to s.190(4) of the Act, I sought the views of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) regarding the undertakings, allowing a period of two business days from receipt of the undertakings to provide any views. The CPSU advised that upon consulting with the Employer and clarifying its understanding of the operation of the undertakings, it was satisfied with the undertakings.

  1. 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.190 of the Act, I accept the undertakings. In accordance with s.201(3) of the Act, I note that the undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. I have taken into consideration the material filed in the Commission. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, 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. For the purpose s.186(3) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers all of the employees of the Employer.

  1. The CPSU, being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the CPSU.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54(1)(b) of the Act and by virtue of clause 2.1 of the Agreement, will operate from 30 April 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 13 December 2027.



COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A – Undertakings

Details
AGLC
Central Land Council [2025] FWCA 1277
Case
[2025] FWCA 1277
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Central Land Council (CLC) applied for the approval of the Enterprise Agreement for the period 2025 to 2027. The application was heard by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), which was required to determine whether the agreement met the criteria for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009. The CLC argued that the agreement was fair and reasonable, while no other parties opposed the application.

The central legal issue was whether the agreement provided for terms and conditions that were fair and reasonable for the employees of the CLC, taking into account the relevant factors outlined in the Fair Work Act. The FWC considered the nature of the CLC's operations, the economic circumstances, and the comparative analysis with other relevant agreements. The FWC also examined the provisions of the agreement, including wages, leave entitlements, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

After careful consideration, the FWC found that the agreement met the requirements for approval. The FWC noted that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions, taking into account the specific circumstances of the CLC. The FWC also considered the evidence provided by the CLC and found that the agreement was consistent with the principles of enterprise bargaining and good faith negotiation. The FWC approved the Enterprise Agreement for the period 2025 to 2027.

The FWC's final order was that the Enterprise Agreement for the period 2025 to 2027 be approved as a registered agreement under the Fair Work Act. The agreement was to take effect from the first day of March 2025 and would remain in force until the first day of March 2027, or until terminated in accordance with the agreement. The approval of the agreement ensures that the employees of the CLC have a fair and reasonable set of terms and conditions for the specified period.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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