Application by Knox City Council
Citation: [2026] FWCA 1860
What happened
Knox City Council applied to have its Enterprise Agreement No. 12 2026 approved. The agreement is a single enterprise agreement covering employees. Three unions, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), the Australian Municipal, Administrative Clerical & Services Union (ASU) and Association of Professional Engineers Scientists and Managers Australia (Professionals Australia), notified the Fair Work Commission they wished to be covered by the agreement.
What was decided
The Fair Work Commission approved Knox City Council’s Enterprise Agreement No. 12 2026. The agreement will operate from July 29, 2026 and expire on June 30, 2029. A clause in the agreement was identified as potentially inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES), but the Commission confirmed that NES entitlements would prevail where conflict existed. The three unions are covered by the agreement.
What it means for employers
Employers should ensure enterprise agreements comply with the Fair Work Act and National Employment Standards. Any inconsistencies must be addressed to ensure the more beneficial entitlements of the NES apply.
What it means for employees
Employees should review new enterprise agreements to understand their rights and entitlements, particularly where there might be potential conflicts with the National Employment Standards. Unions can seek coverage under enterprise agreements.
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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 →