Variation on the Commission’s own initiative – Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020
Citation: [2026] FWC 3005
At a glance
- Awards cited
- MA000062
What happened
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) addressed a cross-referencing error in the Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020. The Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA) initially applied to vary the award. However, the Commission initiated proceedings on its own initiative because AREEA lacked standing. The proposed variation involved correcting a reference from clause 16.8 to clause 17.3. The Australian Workers’ Union supported the proposed change.
What was decided
The FWC confirmed its provisional view to vary clause 17.2 of the Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020. The clause will now reference clause 17.3 instead of clause 16.8. This change corrects a cross-referencing error. The Commission issued a determination to implement this variation, as no opposing submissions were received.
What it means for employers
Employers covered by the Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020 should review clause 17.2 to ensure compliance with the updated reference to clause 17.3. This highlights the importance of accurate cross-referencing within awards and the Commission's ability to correct errors.
What it means for employees
Employees covered by the Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020 should be aware of the change to clause 17.2, which now references clause 17.3. This ensures clarity and accuracy in interpreting the award’s provisions.
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This summary was drafted from the published decision and reviewed before publishing. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified lawyer. About these summaries & corrections