Official form guide
Form F1: Application for approval of an enterprise agreement
Form F1 is the Fair Work Commission application to seek approval for an enterprise agreement. Use it when you want the Commission to formally approve a new or varied agreement between an employer and employees.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Commission Form F1 - Application for approval of an enterprise agreement
Form F1 is the Fair Work Commission application to seek approval for an enterprise agreement. Use it when you want the Commission to formally approve a new or varied agreement between an employer and employees.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Most people forget to serve the respondent promptly after lodging.
- 2Failing to copy the respondent promptly
- 3Leaving the representative section blank when you have one
- 4Missing or incorrect ABN/ACN details
- 5Not listing the relevant award or instrument IDs
Plain English
This form lets you ask the Fair Work Commission to sign off on your workplace agreement. You fill in who you are, any representative you have, and details of the agreement, then send it to the Commission and copy the other party.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Lodge the form when the enterprise agreement is ready for approval, then serve a copy to the respondent as soon as practicable after lodging.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Apply when you need the Commission to approve a new enterprise agreement.
- Apply when you want the Commission to approve a variation of an existing agreement.
- Use this form if you are an employer or a group of employees seeking formal approval.
- Do not use this form for procedural directions; use Form F48 instead.
- Do not use this form to change your legal representation after lodging; use Form F53.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Need procedural directions
Commission provides guidance on service and filing steps
✓ Verify you really need directions before filing
Need to add or change a lawyer after lodging
Notifies the Commission and seeks permission for hearing participation
✓ Confirm the lawyer is not exempt from notice
Registering a modern award
Different form may be required for award registration
✓ Check the Commission’s award registration page
Deadline or filing window
Serve the copy to the respondent as soon as practicable after you lodge the application; there is no fixed statutory deadline in the form.
Before you submit
- 1Complete all applicant details, including ABN/ACN if a company.
- 2Answer whether you have a representative and provide their details if yes.
- 3List any modern award, agreement or other industrial instrument with ID/code.
- 4Sign with the correct authority (Applicant, position title, or Representative).
- 5Choose how the Commission should contact you (email or post).
- 6Attach the enterprise agreement and any supporting documents.
- 7Retain a copy of the completed form for your records.
- 8Serve a copy of the application to the respondent as soon as practicable.
- 9If serving by email, copy the respondent into the lodgment email.
- 10Check that all contact details are current and correct.
How to file this form
- 1Gather the enterprise agreement and supporting documents.
- 2Fill in the applicant section with personal or business details.
- 3Answer the representative question and add representative details if applicable.
- 4Enter any relevant industrial instrument IDs.
- 5Sign the form using the appropriate authority.
- 6Lodge the form via the Fair Work Commission portal or email.
- 7Serve a copy of the lodged application to the respondent.
Known limitations
- 1Commission staff cannot give legal advice.
- 2Lawyers or paid agents need notice and permission to appear at a hearing unless exempt.
- 3Electronic signature is accepted only as typed name if you lack an e‑signature.
- 4The form does not include a specific field for some optional documents.
- 5You must serve a copy to the respondent after lodging.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
1 items
Full name (and representative, if any), postal address, email, and phone number of the person or organisation lodging the application.
Respondent
1 items
The exact legal name and ABN of the employer or other party the application is made against.
The Matter
2 items
Identify the kind of matter — for example, unfair dismissal, general protections, or an agreement application.
A clear description of what happened, relevant dates, and the outcome you are seeking.
Dates
1 items
Relevant dates such as the date of dismissal or the date the issue arose — these determine whether you are within time.
Supporting
1 items
Any documents that support your application, such as letters, contracts, or notices.
Declaration
1 items
Sign and date the form. Applications may also require a fee or an application for a fee waiver.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form F1 is approved with effect from 17 September 2025 and is the current form for enterprise agreement approval applications.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the approval date of the form (17 September 2025).
- Confirm the representation rules listed on page 2.
- Verify the service requirement after lodging (page 1).
- Ensure you follow the electronic signature guidance (page 9).
- Select your preferred communication method (email or post).
- Provide any modern award or agreement IDs in the industrial instrument section.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm approved date 17 September 2025 (page 2, page 4).
- SRCService requirement after lodging (page 1).
- SRCRepresentation rules about notice and permission (page 2).
- SRCQuestion on whether the applicant has a representative (page 5).
- SRCIndustrial instrument section requiring IDs (page 9).
- SRCAuthority to sign and signature instructions (page 9).
- SRCRetain a copy for your own records (page 9).
- SRCUse of Form F48 for directions and Form F53 for representation changes (page 1, page 2).
Common confusion points
Forgetting to serve the respondent after lodging.
Leaving the representative section blank when you have a lawyer.
Using Form F1 for procedural directions instead of Form F48.
Signing with the wrong authority label.
Omitting industrial instrument IDs when they are known.
Not selecting a communication preference, leading to missed emails.
Assuming a lawyer automatically has permission to attend a hearing.
Failing to retain a copy of the completed form.
Source transparency
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