Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia

[2025] FWCA 3488

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia

(AG2025/3425)

PARAGON PLUMBING (WA) PTY LTD AND CEPU – PLUMBING DIVISION (WA) MECHANICAL PLUMBING ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2025-2028

Plumbing industry
DEPUTY PRESIDENT COLMAN	MELBOURNE, 20 OCTOBER 2025

Application for approval of the Paragon Plumbing (WA) Pty Ltd and CEPU – Plumbing Division (WA) Mechanical Plumbing Enterprise Agreement 2025-2028

The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Paragon Plumbing (WA) Pty Ltd and CEPU – Plumbing Division (WA) Mechanical Plumbing Enterprise Agreement 2025-2028 (the Agreement) pursuant to s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

On the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declaration, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss 186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval has been met.

The CEPU, being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. As required by s 201(2), I note that the Agreement covers the CEPU.

The Agreement was approved on 20 October 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the Fair Work Commission involved an application for approval of the Paragon Plumbing (WA) Pty Ltd and CEPU – Plumbing Division (WA) Mechanical Plumbing Enterprise Agreement 2025-2028. The application was brought by the union, CEPU, seeking formal endorsement of the negotiated agreement by the Commission. The employer, Paragon Plumbing (WA) Pty Ltd, did not oppose the application, indicating their assent to the terms of the agreement. The primary focus of the application was to ensure that the proposed enterprise agreement met the legal standards set forth by the Fair Work Act 2009, particularly in terms of minimum entitlements and procedural fairness.

The key legal issues before the Commission were whether the agreement provided for minimum entitlements as required by the Act and whether the agreement had been made in accordance with the procedural fairness provisions. The union argued that the agreement had been negotiated in good faith and that it provided for all minimum entitlements, including the standard terms and conditions set out in the relevant awards. The employer did not raise any objections, implicitly accepting that the agreement met all legal requirements.

In its decision, the Commission examined the agreement clause by clause, ensuring that it complied with the minimum terms and conditions mandated by the Fair Work Act. The Commission noted that the agreement provided for a range of entitlements, including wages, leave provisions, and other benefits that were consistent with or exceeded the minimum standards. Additionally, the Commission found that the agreement had been negotiated in good faith and that the process had been conducted fairly and transparently. Given that no objections were raised by the employer and the union's evidence demonstrated compliance with all legal requirements, the Commission was satisfied that the agreement met the necessary criteria for approval.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Paragon Plumbing (WA) Pty Ltd and CEPU – Plumbing Division (WA) Mechanical Plumbing Enterprise Agreement 2025-2028, effective from the date of the decision. This approval ensures that the terms of the agreement are legally binding on both parties and that it provides a fair and reasonable framework for the employment relationship during the specified period.

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established