Apply to Approve a New Enterprise Agreement (Form F16 & F17)

Issuing authority

Fair Work Commission

Official source

How to apply

1. After the vote, confirm the agreement was genuinely approved: a majority of eligible employees voted yes, the vote was held during the 7-day access period after the final terms were provided to employees.
2. Check the agreement meets the Better Off Overall Test (BOOT) and complies with the National Employment Standards.
3. Identify all bargaining representatives; each employer covered by the agreement must complete their own Form F17 (Employer Declaration).
4. Access the online Form F16 application on the Fair Work Commission website — online lodgement is strongly preferred and both forms must be submitted together online.
5. Prepare supporting materials per the FWC lodgement checklist: a signed copy of the agreement, all Form F17 declarations, any union declaration (Form F18 if applicable), and evidence of the vote.
6. Lodge Form F16 (with all accompanying declarations and the agreement) within 14 calendar days of the date the agreement was made (the day after the vote closed).
7. Lodge via the FWC online portal; alternatively email documents to member.assist@fwc.gov.au if not using the online form.
8. Monitor the application — the FWC may issue a Request for Further Information (RFI) if the application is deficient; respond within the timeframe given.
9. Once approved, ensure all employees are provided a copy of the approved agreement and that the commencement date (7 days after approval unless otherwise specified) is noted.

Related topics

Related forms

• Unfair Dismissal ApplicationForm F2
• Employer Response to Unfair DismissalForm F3
• Application to Stop Workplace BullyingForm F72
• General Protections Application (Dismissal)Form F8
• Unpaid Wages / Entitlements Complaint