We are developing a new tool called the Agreement Checklist Assistant. This tool aims to help staff carry out pre-approval checks for enterprise agreement applications. It uses AI to help staff identify concerns with an agreement before it is allocated to a Commission Member for approval.
To support the implementation of the Agreement Checklist Assistant we require a digital version of the agreement to be lodged with the agreement approval application. The Fair Work Commission Rules 2024 have now been amended to reflect this requirement.
What has changed?
To comply with the Rules, parties will now need to lodge an original digital copy of the agreement with their agreement approval application.
What is an original digital version of an agreement?
The original digital version of the agreement is a copy that's in a machine-readable format. This is an electronic version of the agreement created in word processing software. In most cases, this will be a Microsoft Word (docx) document. We will also accept other document types including Rich Text Format and PDF.
Will parties need to lodge an extra document?
If the signed version of the agreement is not in an accepted digital format, an electronic version with identical content, apart from the signatures, must also be lodged. This means parties may need to lodge 2 copies of the agreement.
How will we manage compliance?
We will contact applicants who do not provide a digital copy of the agreement. If a digital copy is still not provided, a Commission Member may request an explanation for the non-compliance. This may result in delays in processing the application.
What is the Agreement Checklist Assistant?
The Agreement Checklist Assistant is a support tool that will help staff. Human oversight will still happen at key points. Importantly, the tool will not replace the decision-making function of Commission Members. The Agreement Checklist Assistant will:
- draw out key timeline information
- compare relevant clauses
- flag potential issues for further review by our specialist staff.
We expect the tool to improve the efficiency of the agreement approval process. This will help us to manage our increasing workload and resourcing challenges.
Read
- The National Practice Lead for Agreements Statement about digital copies of enterprise agreements.
- Our Amendments to the Fair Work Commission Rules news item provides further information about the rule changes.
Change at the Commission
We are undergoing a period of significant change. This includes changes to case management practices, systems and information resources. These changes will help us continue to meet your expectations and manage the significant increase in our workload.
