Enterprise Bargaining Changes Coming 6 June 2023

The Fair Work Commission’s latest statement has provided some guidance on upcoming changes to enterprise bargaining following implementation of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act.

There are a number of significant changes to the enterprise bargaining and enterprise agreement approval processes that will commence on 6 June 2023.

1. Increased access to multi-employer bargaining through
   • Single interest bargaining
   • Supported bargaining
   • Cooperative bargaining
2. Changes to flexible work requests and requests for the extension of unpaid parental leave – the Commission may deal with disputes about flexible work.
3. Amendments to Agreement approvals and the better off overall test provisions.
4. Amendment to the bargaining and industrial action provisions.
5. Bargaining disputes, industrial action, supported bargaining, single-interest employer authorisations, varying enterprise agreements to remove employers and their employees, and co-operative workplaces.

Further information and education materials will be available in the coming months. The Commission’s bargaining streams table sets out the bargaining streams which will be in effect from 6 June 2023 or an earlier date to be fixed by proclamation.

If you have any questions regarding enterprise agreements, please reach out to our Workplace Relations and Legal Team on (02) 6175 5900.