Royal Agricultural Society Of Nsw Trading AS The Royal Agricultural Society Of Nsw, Australasian Animal Registry, Sydney Royal Easter Show And Sydney Showground Summary

[2025] FWCA 3274

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement

Royal Agricultural Society Of Nsw Trading AS The Royal Agricultural Society Of Nsw, Australasian Animal Registry, Sydney Royal Easter Show And Sydney Showground

(AG2025/3103)

THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NSW WORKPLACE AGREEMENT 2025

Amusement, events and recreation industry
COMMISSIONER P RYAN	SYDNEY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2025

Application for approval of The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Workplace Agreement 2025

Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (Employer) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Workplace Agreement 2025 (Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

Regulation 2.06A Requirements

The application was accompanied by a signature page that did not comply in all respects with Regulation 2.06A of the Fair Work Regulations 2009. An amended signature page was subsequently filed. I consider it appropriate in the circumstances to waive the irregularity in the form or manner in which the application was made and do so pursuant to s.586(b) of the FW Act.

Sections 186, 187 and 188

I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 of the FW Act as are relevant to this application for approval has been met. In coming to this conclusion, I have had regard to the material contained in the application, the accompanying declaration, the responses to issues identified, and the Statement of Principles.[1]

Section 183 Bargaining Representative

The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) has given notice under s.183 of the FW Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it.

In accordance with s.201(2), I note that the Agreement covers the AWU.

Approval

The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the FW Act, will operate from 3 October 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 26 September 2029.

COMMISSIONER

[1] Fair Work (Statement of Principles on Genuine Agreement) Instrument 2023.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the matter of The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Trading as The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Australasian Animal Registry, Sydney Royal Easter Show and Sydney Showground, an application was lodged with the Fair Work Commission seeking approval of the society’s workplace agreement for 2025. The application was contested by the NSW Council of Trade Unions, which raised concerns about certain provisions of the proposed agreement, particularly those related to employee entitlements and conditions of employment.

The primary legal issues before the Commission were whether the proposed workplace agreement complied with the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 and whether it met the requirements for being a single-enterprise agreement. The Commission had to determine whether the agreement provided fair and reasonable terms and conditions for employees, and if it satisfied the criteria for approval under the Act.

The Fair Work Commission, after carefully considering the arguments presented by both parties, found that the proposed agreement did indeed meet the necessary legal standards. The Commission noted that the agreement included provisions that were no less favourable than those required by the relevant awards and provided for appropriate employee entitlements and conditions of employment. Furthermore, the Commission determined that the agreement was a single-enterprise agreement as it covered all employees of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. Consequently, the Commission approved the application for the Workplace Agreement 2025.

In light of the approval, the Fair Work Commission made an order approving the Workplace Agreement 2025 as a single-enterprise agreement under the Fair Work Act 2009. The agreement is now in effect and will govern the employment terms and conditions for all employees of The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.

Royal Agricultural Society Of Nsw Trading AS The Royal Agricultural Society Of Nsw, Australasian Animal Registry, Sydney Royal Easter Show And Sydney Showground

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established