Etex Australia Pty Ltd Trading AS Etex Plasterboard

[2025] FWCA 1303

[2025] FWCA 1303

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Etex Australia Pty Ltd Trading AS Etex Plasterboard

(AG2025/863)

THE ETEX AUSTRALIA (BEENLEIGH) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2025

Manufacturing and associated industries
COMMISSIONER HUNT	BRISBANE, 17 APRIL 2025

Application for approval of The Etex Australia (Beenleigh) Enterprise Agreement 2025

1. Etex Australia Pty Ltd Trading As Etex Plasterboard (the Employer) has applied for approval of an enterprise agreement known as The Etex Australia (Beenleigh) Enterprise Agreement 2025 (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 18 July 2024 and the Agreement was made on 19 March 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 a written undertaking. A copy of the undertaking is attached at Annexure A. Pursuant to s.190(4) of the Act, I sought the views of the "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) and the other bargaining representatives regarding the undertaking, allowing a period of two business days from receipt of the undertaking to provide any views. No views were received.

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. Pursuant to s.190 of the Act, I accept the undertaking. In accordance with s.201(3) of the Act, I note that the undertaking 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. The Agreement does not cover all of the employees of the employer, however, taking into account s.186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.

1. The AMWU, 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 AMWU.

1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54(1)(a) of the Act and by virtue of clause 1 of the undertaking, will operate from 24 April 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 17 April 2029.

COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A – Undertakings