What is an Enterprise Agreement (EA) in Australia?

An Enterprise Agreement (EA, sometimes called an EBA — Enterprise Bargaining Agreement) is a workplace-specific agreement between an employer and its employees that sets pay rates and conditions, replacing the modern award for those covered by it. EAs must pass the BOOT (Better Off Overall Test) — they cannot leave employees worse off than the award. EAs are filed with and approved by the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

How do I find my Enterprise Agreement?

Search the FWC's Document Search tool by your employer's name. Most large Australian employers (Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings, McDonald's, BHP, Australia Post, Qantas) have their EAs publicly available. This tool seeds the most-searched ones and lets you compare them directly to their matching modern award baseline.

Is an EA always better than the modern award?

An EA must pass the Better Off Overall Test (BOOT) to be approved by the Fair Work Commission, meaning each award-covered employee must be better off overall than under the award. Separately, the base rate of pay under an EA can't be less than the award base rate for the same classification (Fair Work Act s206) — so an EA can't trade a lower hourly base rate for other conditions. An EA can differ from the award in penalty rates, allowances and other conditions, so check the full EA for the complete picture.

What does it mean if my EA pays below the modern award?

Under Fair Work Act s206, the base rate of pay under an EA can't be less than the award base rate for the same classification — if it is, the award base rate applies. If your rate looks lower, check that you've picked the right classification, whether the EA's latest pay increase (or the 1 July award increase) has been applied, and whether the EA has been replaced by a newer agreement. If you're still paid less, you can raise it with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Are these EA rates current?

We only show an agreement's rate, and compare it with the award, when we've checked it against the agreement since the current award rates took effect (1 July 2026). Where we haven't, the tool shows the award minimum for the matching classification instead and lets you enter the rate from your own payslip or agreement. Always check your actual EA document — linked for each agreement — before relying on a figure.

EA Finder + Comparator

Search your employer's Enterprise Agreement and compare its pay rates to the modern award. The only free tool in Australia that does this. No login. No paywall.

Last verified: 2 August 2026Jump to calculator ↓

FairWork Mate AI

Is the figure right for you?

The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.

Renews monthly at A$29.99 until you cancel. By continuing you agree to our Terms.

Just need today sorted? A Day Pass is 25 questions over 24 hours, no account. Get a Day Pass — $4.99

Get pay and rights updates for your job

Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.

Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.

Related Tools

Embed the EA Finder + Comparator on your site, free. Get the code →

EA Finder + Comparator

How this works

Is the figure right for you?

Related Tools