Meldline Pty Ltd Summary

[2025] FWCA 3187

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Meldline Pty Ltd

(AG2025/3100)

MELDLINE PTY LTD AND THE CFMEU (VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL DIVISION) SUBCONTRACTORS CARPENTRY & JOINERY ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024 - 2027

Building, metal and civil construction industries
DEPUTY PRESIDENT BELL	MELBOURNE, 22 SEPTEMBER 2025

Application for approval of the Meldline Pty Ltd and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Carpentry & Joinery Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027

An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Meldline Pty Ltd and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Carpentry & Joinery Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) by Meldline Pty Ltd. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

Having regard to the material contained in the application and filed in relation to it, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187,188, 193 and 193A 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 the factors in sections 186(3) and (3A), I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.

The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), 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.

The Agreement was approved on 22 September 2025 and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 29 September 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 2 July 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter involved an application for the approval of an enterprise agreement between Meldline Pty Ltd and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Carpentry & Joinery Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. The application was heard by the Fair Work Commission. The application was brought under the Fair Work Act 2009, seeking the Commission’s approval of the agreement, which had been negotiated between the employer and the union representing the employees.

The primary legal issues before the Commission were whether the agreement complied with the requirements of the Fair Work Act and whether it met the criteria for being a lawful and appropriate enterprise agreement. Specifically, the Commission needed to determine if the agreement contained the necessary minimum terms and conditions, whether it was made in good faith, and if it was free from any unlawful content or discrimination. The Commission also had to consider if the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms for the employees and if it was in the best interests of the employees covered by the agreement.

The Fair Work Commission found that the agreement met all the necessary requirements under the Fair Work Act. The agreement contained the prescribed minimum terms and conditions, and the Commission was satisfied that it had been negotiated in good faith. The content of the agreement was lawful, and it did not include any discriminatory provisions. The Commission also determined that the agreement provided fair and reasonable terms for the employees and was in their best interests. Consequently, the Commission approved the agreement, finding it to be a lawful and appropriate enterprise agreement under the Act.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Meldline Pty Ltd and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Carpentry & Joinery Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027, effective from the date of the Commission’s decision. The agreement was certified as meeting all the legal requirements and was considered to be in the best interests of the employees involved.

Meldline Pty Ltd

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established