DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement

Community Living Options Inc
(AG2021/3932)

COMMUNITY LIVING OPTIONS INC ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2019

Social, community, home care and disability services
DEPUTY PRESIDENT MANSINI	MELBOURNE, 25 MARCH 2021

Application for approval of the Community Living Options Inc Enterprise Agreement 2019.

[1] Community Living Options Inc has applied for approval of a single enterprise agreement known as the Community Living Options Inc Enterprise Agreement 2019 (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 contravenes s.55 of the Act, contains the mandatory terms and passes the better off overall test. Further information was provided in relation to these concerns.

[3] The model consultation term prescribed by the Regulations is taken to be a term of the Agreement, pursuant to s.205(2) 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 representatives 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.

[6] On an overall assessment of whether employees to be covered would be better off overall under the Agreement than the relevant reference instruments, including with regard to the identified more beneficial and the less beneficial terms in the Agreement and the Undertakings, I am satisfied that the Agreement passes the “better off overall test”. Pursuant to s.201(3) of the Act, the Undertakings are taken to be terms of the Agreement.

[7] 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.

[8] The United Workers’ Union and the Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union, being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, have respectively given notice under s.183 of the Act. In accordance with s.201(2) I note that the Agreement covers these organisations.

[9] The Agreement was approved on 25 March 2021 and, in accordance with s.54, will operate from 1 April 2021. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 November 2023.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

Annexure A

The case involved Community Living Options Inc, an applicant seeking approval of an enterprise agreement under the Fair Work Act 2009. The dispute was heard in the Fair Work Commission, Australia's workplace relations tribunal. The applicant sought to have the Enterprise Agreement 2019 approved, which would regulate the terms and conditions of employment for its employees. The central legal issues revolved around whether the agreement met the statutory requirements under the Fair Work Act and whether it complied with the 'better off overall test', ensuring that employees were not worse off under the new agreement.

The Commission assessed the application by examining the negotiation process and contents of the agreement. Key considerations included the fairness of the agreement, its compliance with the provisions of the Act, and whether it provided a safety net for employees. The Commission found that the agreement was the product of genuine bargaining and contained provisions that met the legislative standards. Notably, the agreement offered a mix of wage increases and other benefits that collectively improved the employees' overall conditions, satisfying the better off overall test. Consequently, the Commission approved the Enterprise Agreement 2019.

The Fair Work Commission's decision was grounded in the thorough evaluation of the negotiation process and the contents of the agreement. The approval hinged on the finding that the agreement was not only fairly negotiated but also provided adequate protections and benefits to the employees. By approving the agreement, the Commission affirmed its role in facilitating fair and effective workplace agreements. This decision underscores the importance of ensuring that enterprise agreements meet the statutory requirements and benefit employees overall.

Community Living Options Inc

DECISION

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established