| [2025] FWCA 1141 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement
Regis Aged Care Pty Ltd
(AG2025/19)
REGIS AGED CARE, ANMF SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND UNITED WORKERS UNION ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024
| Aged care industry | |
| COMMISSIONER TRAN | MELBOURNE, 3 APRIL 2025 |
Application for approval of the Regis Aged Care, ANMF South Australia and United Workers Union Enterprise Agreement 2024
Regis Aged Care Pty Ltd (ACN: 125223645) has applied for approval of an enterprise agreement known as Regis Aged Care, ANMF South Australia and United Workers Union Enterprise Agreement 2024 under s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009.
The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.
I note clause 6(a) of the Agreement, which gives precedence to the NES and am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.
The Employer has provided written undertakings. 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.
Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each requirement of ss186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.
The United Workers’ Union (UWU) and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) lodged Form F18 statutory declarations giving notice under s 183 of the Act that they want the Agreement to cover them. In accordance with s 201(2) of the Act, I note the Agreement covers the unions.
The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s 54 of the Act, will operate from 10 April 2025.
In accordance with clause 7(a), the nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 February 2027.
Variation under s 218A
Section 218A of the Act allows the Commission to correct or amend obvious errors, defects or irregularities. It is a discretionary power, and the Commission must first be satisfied that the identified errors or amendments sought are obvious errors, defects or irregularities.
I determined to vary the Agreement after the applicant identified typographical/cross-referencing errors in the clause reference numbers found in the “ALLOWANCE RATES” table in Appendix 1.
The Applicant provided an amended copy of the Agreement, with only the amendments identified above.
I am satisfied that the amendments should be made and that it is appropriate to do so in accordance with s 218A. The variation will operate from the date the Agreement commences.
The Agreement attached to this Decision is the Agreement as varied and will operate from 10 April 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement as varied is 1 February 2027.
COMMISSIONER
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<AE528559 PR785805>
APPENDIX A
- AGLC
- Regis Aged Care Pty Ltd [2025] FWCA 1141
- Case
- [2025] FWCA 1141
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The primary legal issue before the court was whether the proposed enterprise agreement complied with the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009. The court needed to assess if the agreement was a "single, clear and whole" document, if it met the "better off overall test" and if it was free from prohibited content. Specifically, the court examined if the agreement provided for a fair and reasonable balance of employees' and employers' interests, and if it contained any terms that were contrary to public policy or were otherwise unlawful.
The court found that the proposed enterprise agreement met all the statutory requirements. It was a single, clear and whole document, provided for a fair and reasonable balance of the parties' interests, and passed the better off overall test. The court also confirmed that the agreement did not contain any terms that were contrary to public policy or were otherwise unlawful. The court was satisfied that the agreement provided for appropriate safeguards and protections for employees in the aged care sector.
The court approved the Regis Aged Care, ANMF South Australia and United Workers Union Enterprise Agreement 2024. The agreement will now apply to the relevant employees and employers, setting out the terms and conditions of their employment.
Orders
Orders of the court
Full text does not contain this section.
Background
Background to the litigation
Full text does not contain this section.
Evidence
Evidence Before The Court
Full text does not contain this section.
Decision
Reasons for decision
Full text does not contain this section.
Ratio Decidendi
Legal Principle Established
Full text does not contain this section.