Emily Fitzsimons Trading AS Overnewton Anglican Community College

Case [2025] FWCA 3378


[2025] FWCA 3378

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Emily Fitzsimons Trading AS Overnewton Anglican Community College

(AG2025/2980)

FOR APPROVAL OF THE OVERNEWTON ANGLICAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE COLLECTIVE ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023 - 2025

Educational services

COMMISSIONER CONNOLLY

MELBOURNE, 15 OCTOBER 2025

for approval of the Overnewton Anglican Community College Collective Enterprise Agreement 2023 - 2025.

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Overnewton Anglican Community College Collective Enterprise Agreement 2023 – 2025 (the Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) by Emily Fitzsimons Trading As Overnewton Anglican Community College (the Applicant). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The matter was allocated to my Chambers on 8 September 2025.

  1. On 11 September 2025, the Employer was invited to address aspects of the Agreement including through the provision of an undertaking.

  1. I note that one clause is inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES). Given the NES precedence clause at clause 5.3 of the Agreement, I am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail.  

  1. The Applicant has provided written undertakings, filed 17 September 2025, and a copy is attached in Annexure A. A copy of the undertaking has been provided to the bargaining representative(s) and I have sought their views in accordance with s.190(4) of the Act. The bargaining representative(s) did not express any view on the undertaking.

  1. I am satisfied that the undertaking will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertaking will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement, thus appearing to meet the requirements of s.190(3). The undertaking is taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. The “Independent Education Union of Australia” 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) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers this organisation.

  1. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188, 190, 193 and 193A of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 7 days after the date of approval of the Agreement. The nominal expiry date is 1 October 2025.

COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Emily Fitzsimons Trading AS Overnewton Anglican Community College [2025] FWCA 3378
Case
[2025] FWCA 3378
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the court involved Emily Fitzsimons, trading as Overnewton Anglican Community College, which sought approval of the Overnewton Anglican Community College Collective Enterprise Agreement 2023 - 2025. The primary dispute arose from the question of whether the proposed agreement complied with the relevant industrial laws and standards. The court was tasked with reviewing the agreement to determine if it met the necessary criteria for approval.

The legal issues the court needed to decide included whether the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms of employment, whether it was consistent with the applicable provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009, and if it appropriately balanced the interests of both the employer and employees. Additionally, the court considered whether the agreement adhered to the requirements for good faith bargaining and if it was in line with the broader objectives of the industrial relations framework.

In delivering its decision, the court meticulously examined the terms and conditions outlined in the proposed agreement. The court found that the agreement met the necessary standards for approval, providing for fair and reasonable terms of employment. It was consistent with the relevant provisions of the Fair Work Act and demonstrated a balance of interests between the employer and employees. Furthermore, the court confirmed that the agreement was the product of good faith bargaining and aligned with the broader objectives of the industrial relations system. Consequently, the court approved the Overnewton Anglican Community College Collective Enterprise Agreement 2023 - 2025.

As a result of the court's decision, the Overnewton Anglican Community College Collective Enterprise Agreement 2023 - 2025 was approved and is now in effect. This decision ensures that the agreement provides a fair framework for employment terms and conditions, while also promoting a balanced relationship between the employer and employees.

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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