v Swinburne College Pty Ltd

Case [2025] FWC 1256


[2025] FWC 1256

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459 - Application to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot

National Tertiary Education Industry Union

v

Swinburne College Pty Ltd

(B2025/733)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 5 MAY 2025

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2025/355.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR784990 held in matter B2025/355 and declared on 8 April 2025.

  1. The National Tertiary Education Industry Union has made an application pursuant to s.459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by the relevant protected action ballot.

  1. Section 459(3) of the Act provides as follows:

“(3) The FWC may extend the 30-day period referred to in subparagraph (1)(d)(i) by up to 30 days if:

(a) an applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the FWC for the period to be extended; and

(b)     the period has not previously been extended.”

  1. The application contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days from the expiry of the original 30 days.

  1. Swinburne College Pty Ltd has not advised the Commission of any objection to this application.

  1. I am satisfied that the relevant requirements of the Act have been met and that the application should be granted.

  1. Accordingly, pursuant to section 459(3) of the Act, I order that the 30 day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible employees who were subject to the ballot and are employed by the Employer be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 7 May 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR787025>

Details
AGLC
v Swinburne College Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 1256
Case
[2025] FWC 1256
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The National Tertiary Education Industry Union, acting on behalf of its members, has made an application to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to extend the 30-day period for protected industrial action authorised by a ballot held under matter B2025/355. The employer, Swinburne College Pty Ltd, did not raise any objections to this application. The matter was heard by Deputy President Hampton in Adelaide on 5 May 2025.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the application for an extension of the 30-day period was valid under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. This section allows for an extension of the period if the applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the FWC and if the period has not previously been extended. The application argued that all the criteria were met and requested a 30-day extension from the original 30-day period.

Deputy President Hampton determined that the application met the statutory requirements. The Deputy President was satisfied that the application for the extension was valid, as it was made by the applicant for the protected action ballot order, and the period had not been extended previously. Consequently, the Deputy President granted the application and ordered that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action be extended by a further 30 days. This extension will take effect from 7 May 2025.

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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