High Energy Service Pty Ltd

Case [2025] FWCA 1697


[2025] FWCA 1697

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

High Energy Service Pty Ltd

(AG2025/1189)

HIGH ENERGY SERVICE PTY LTD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2025

Electrical contracting industry

COMMISSIONER FOX

MELBOURNE, 23 MAY 2025

Application for approval of the High Energy Service Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2025.

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the High Energy Service Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2025 (the Agreement). The Application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act). It has been made by High Energy Service Pty Ltd (the Employer). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached at Annexure A. 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. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each requirement of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. For the purposes of the better off overall test, I have had regard to each of the matters in s.193A(2)-(7).

  1. I observe that the following clause is likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

  • Flexible Working Conditions: Under clause 29.1 of the Agreement, the circumstances under which flexible working arrangements may be requested is more limited than that under s.65(1A) of the Act. Clause 29.3 of the Agreement also omits the process that must be followed if the request is going to be refused.

  1. However, noting clause 4.2 of the Agreement, I am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES in the Act will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia being a bargaining representative for the Agreement supports the approval of the Agreement and 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 the organisation.

  1. The Agreement is approved, and in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 30 May 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 23 May 2029.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE529097  PR787504>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
High Energy Service Pty Ltd [2025] FWCA 1697
Case
[2025] FWCA 1697
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the Fair Work Commission, the matter of High Energy Service Pty Ltd was brought forward for consideration. The central issue pertained to the application for the approval of the High Energy Service Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2025. The applicant, High Energy Service Pty Ltd, sought to have the agreement ratified, which would govern the employment terms and conditions for its workforce.

The legal issues before the court required an examination of the agreement's compliance with the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009. Specifically, the court had to determine whether the agreement met the criteria for being a "certified agreement" as outlined in the legislation. This involved verifying that the agreement had been fairly and independently negotiated, was free from any coercion, and adequately protected the interests of the employees.

The court examined the negotiation process and the content of the agreement in detail. It found that the agreement had been negotiated in good faith and that all parties had been given a reasonable opportunity to participate in the process. The court also assessed whether the terms and conditions of the agreement were fair and reasonable, taking into account the specific circumstances of the industry and the parties involved. Ultimately, the court was satisfied that the agreement met all the statutory requirements for approval. The court approved the High Energy Service Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2025, thereby providing legal recognition to the terms and conditions set out in the agreement.

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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