Application by United Firefighters' Union of Australia (259V)
At a glance
- MA000004, MA000032
What happened
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), along with several unions (Health Services Union, Transport Workers Union, Australian Services Union, Australian Workers Union, Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, United Workers Union, and Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation) applied to vary vehicle-related allowances in 41 modern awards. The United Firefighters' Union of Australia (UFU) also applied for a similar variation to the Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020. The applications sought to adjust expense-related allowances for employees using their own vehicles for work. The applications were driven by conflict in the Middle East impacting global oil supply and a change in the Australian Bureau of Statistics' reporting frequency for consumer price index data. Employer associations opposed the applications.
What was decided
The Fair Work Commission Full Bench decided to vary the Aged Care Award 2010 and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010. This variation includes a temporary increase to vehicle allowances, effective from September 1, 2026. The Commission found that the variations were necessary to achieve the modern awards objective, considering the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel prices and the change in CPI reporting. The decision was made in response to applications under s 157 of the Fair Work Act, which allows for variations to modern awards to achieve their objectives.
What it means for employers
Employers covered by the affected awards should be aware of the temporary increase in vehicle allowances. They need to review their payroll systems and ensure compliance with the new rates. The decision highlights the Commission’s willingness to adjust awards in response to significant economic events and changes in data reporting.
What it means for employees
Employees who use their own vehicles for work and are covered by the affected awards will receive a temporary increase in their vehicle allowance. Employees should check the specific award variations to understand the details of the changes.
Want this applied to your situation?
Reading the decision is free. FairWork Mate goes further — it reads the full case library and applies precedents like this one to your specific facts, citing the cases as it reasons. General information, not a guaranteed outcome or legal advice.
Send your details to Liquid Employment Lawyers
Liquid Employment Lawyers is a paid legal service and our referral partner, not free Fair Work advice. FairWork Mate may receive a referral fee from Liquid Legal. Tell them what has happened and a member of their team will call you back. For free general guidance, use our tools or call the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.
Prefer to read first? About Liquid Employment Lawyers · Not sure if you need a lawyer? Read the legal help guides
Want more cases like this?
FairWork Mate tracks Fair Work Ombudsman, Fair Work Commission and Federal Court decisions across Australia. The AI advisor answers plain-English questions grounded on the full corpus — awards cited, industry, penalty amounts and affected employee counts — with a citation to the underlying decision on every answer.
FairWork Mate AI
This is one decision. Pro reads all of them.
Free case pages cite the top 250 decisions. Pro opens the full Fair Work Commission and Federal Court library, cross-references your own situation against it, and cites the decision behind every answer — plus document upload, so it can read your letter or contract line by line. 150 questions a month, cancel anytime.
Renews monthly at A$29.99 until you cancel. By continuing you agree to our Terms.
Get notified on new Fair Work cases
Free email alerts when we publish new underpayment decisions, penalty orders, and workplace law updates.