Application by Sonac Australia Pty Ltd
Citation: [2026] FWCA 2166
What happened
Sonac Australia Pty Ltd applied for approval of its 'Sonac Australia Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2026-2029'. The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) sought to have the agreement cover them. There were minor errors in the Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR), including a discrepancy in the agreement title and an outdated version being used. Sonac Australia Pty Ltd is a company operating in the manufacturing industry.
What was decided
The Fair Work Commission approved the Sonac Australia Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2026-2029. Minor errors with the NERR were disregarded because they didn't disadvantage employees. The agreement will operate from August 19, 2026, and expire on June 30, 2029. Any inconsistencies between the agreement and the National Employment Standards (NES) will be resolved in favour of the NES’s more beneficial entitlements.
What it means for employers
the Applicant should ensure accuracy when preparing Notices of Employee Representational Rights. While minor errors can be overlooked, consistent adherence to requirements is crucial for enterprise agreement approval. They must also understand that any conflicting terms with the National Employment Standards will be superseded by the NES’s more beneficial provisions.
What it means for employees
Employees covered by this agreement should be aware of their entitlements under the new Enterprise Agreement 2026-2029, and that where there is a conflict between the agreement and the National Employment Standards, the latter will apply. The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) will also be covered by the agreement.
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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 →