Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

Case [2025] FWCA 3396


[2025] FWCA 3396

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

(AG2025/3381)

SRG INDUSTRIES PTY LTD T/AS SUPREME PRECAST AND THE CFMEU (VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL DIVISION) ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES & FITTINGS ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024 - 2027

Building, metal and civil construction industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASSON

MELBOURNE, 10 OCTOBER 2025

Application for approval of the SRG INDUSTRIES PTY LTD T/AS SUPREME PRECAST and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Architectural Features & Fittings Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the SRG INDUSTRIES PTY LTD T/AS SUPREME PRECAST and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Architectural Features & Fittings Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, that commenced operation on 6 June 2023. The notification time for the Agreement under s.173(2) was 3 March 2025 and the Agreement was made on 19 September 2025. Accordingly, both the genuine agreement and the better off overall test requirements are those applying on and from 6 June 2023.

  1. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

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

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 17 October 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 2 July 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE530720  PR792510>

Details
AGLC
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union [2025] FWCA 3396
Case
[2025] FWCA 3396
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the Fair Work Commission, the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) sought approval of an enterprise agreement between SRG Industries Pty Ltd trading as Supreme Precast and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Architectural Features & Fittings Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027. The dispute revolved around the terms and conditions of employment and the overall fairness of the agreement in light of the Fair Work Act 2009.

The primary legal issues for the Commission were to determine if the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act, particularly concerning the "better off overall test" and whether it included provisions that were contrary to public policy or industrial awards. The Commission had to examine whether the agreement was in accordance with the principles of enterprise bargaining and if it provided appropriate protections for employees.

The Commission, after considering the submissions and evidence presented by both parties, found that the agreement satisfied the better off overall test and did not contravene any public policy or industrial awards. The agreement was deemed to be fairly negotiated and provided adequate protections for the employees, including provisions for wages, leave, and other employment conditions. Therefore, the Commission approved the enterprise agreement.

The final orders of the Commission were that the SRG INDUSTRIES PTY LTD T/AS SUPREME PRECAST and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Architectural Features & Fittings Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027 be approved, effective from the date of the Commission's decision.

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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