AUFAIR WORKOther Fair Work Forms

Official form guide

Form F20: Application for an award

Form F20 is the Fair Work Commission’s Application for an award. Use it when you want to create a new modern award or vary an existing one.

Fillable formOpen in Editor->Download blank PDF

Need help with Form F20?

Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.

Fillable formOpen in Editor->

Form Overview

Fair Work Commission Form F20 - Application for an award

Form F20 is the Fair Work Commission’s Application for an award. Use it when you want to create a new modern award or vary an existing one.

The form captures details of the proposed award, the parties involved, the reason for the application and any supporting evidence.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1The most common mistake is forgetting to attach the required industry analysis.
  • 2Leaving key supporting evidence out
  • 3Incorrect party details (ABN, contact)
  • 4Submitting the wrong version of the form
  • 5Missing the filing fee payment

Plain English

If you need a formal set of employment conditions (an award) for a particular industry or occupation, you fill out this form. It tells the Commission what you’re asking for and why. The process is done through the Fair Work Commission portal.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: Submit the form as soon as you have a clear proposal – there is no fixed deadline, but the Commission must be given reasonable time to consider it before any industrial action starts.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

AI co-pilot

Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.

Explains confusing fields in plain English
Flags missing signatures, dates, IDs, and attachments
Keeps the PDF ready for editor, send, and proof flows
Open AI workspace->

Glossary Terms

involvedindustry

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • When you want a brand‑new modern award for an uncategorised industry
  • When you are applying to vary wage rates or conditions in an existing award
  • When a union or employer group has negotiated new terms and needs formal registration
  • When you need the award to be enforceable under the Fair Work Act

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Minor change to an award condition

Used for small variations only

✓ Verify the change qualifies as ‘minor’

Form F21

Request to review an existing award

For periodic review or amendment

✓ Confirm review trigger date

Form F22

Apply for a modern award exemption

When seeking exemption from award coverage

✓ Check exemption criteria

Form F23

Deadline or filing window

There is no statutory deadline, but the Commission expects the application to be lodged before any related industrial action or before the start of a new pay period.

Before you submit

  1. 1All party names and ABNs entered correctly
  2. 2Reason for the award clearly explained
  3. 3All required attachments uploaded
  4. 4Filing fee paid and receipt saved
  5. 5Form signed electronically or physically
  6. 6Contact details for follow‑up provided
  7. 7Confirmation email received

How to file this form

  1. 1Log in to the Fair Work Commission eLodgment portal
  2. 2Select ‘New Application – Award (Form F20)’
  3. 3Enter employer/union details and award proposal
  4. 4Upload supporting documents
  5. 5Pay the filing fee via credit card or BPAY
  6. 6Review the completed form for errors
  7. 7Submit and record the confirmation number

Known limitations

  1. 1Form only accepts PDF attachments up to 10 MB each
  2. 2Electronic signatures are accepted only through the portal
  3. 3Paper submissions may take longer to process
  4. 4The form does not cover collective bargaining agreements that are already registered

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

7 fields

Applicant

1 items

Applicant Name and Contact

Full name (and representative, if any), postal address, email, and phone number of the person or organisation lodging the application.

Requiredtext

Respondent

1 items

Respondent / Employer Details

The exact legal name and ABN of the employer or other party the application is made against.

Requiredtext

The Matter

2 items

Type of Application

Identify the kind of matter — for example, unfair dismissal, general protections, or an agreement application.

Requiredselect
Details of the Dispute

A clear description of what happened, relevant dates, and the outcome you are seeking.

Requiredtext

Dates

1 items

Key Dates

Relevant dates such as the date of dismissal or the date the issue arose — these determine whether you are within time.

Requireddate

Supporting

1 items

Attachments

Any documents that support your application, such as letters, contracts, or notices.

text

Declaration

1 items

Signature and Date

Sign and date the form. Applications may also require a fee or an application for a fee waiver.

Requiredsignature
This compact map shows the fields you typically encounter on this type of Australian form. The AI Editor gives precise, field-by-field guidance once you open the actual PDF.

Almost done reviewing the fields?

Fillable formOpen in Editor->
Current form status
FAIR_WORK

Form F20 is the latest version as of early 2024. No major changes have been announced, but check the Commission’s website for any updates before filing.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Confirm you are using the 2024 edition of Form F20
  • Check if the filing fee amount has changed
  • Verify the online portal URL is current
  • Review any new guidance notes attached to the form

Form Preview

Form F20 page 1

Page 1

Form F20 page 2

Page 2

Open in AI Editor →

Quick Facts

Employers, industry bodies or unions that want a new award or a change to an existing award must lodge this form.
The form captures details of the proposed award, the parties involved, the reason for the application and any supporting evidence.
Submit the form as soon as you have a clear proposal – there is no fixed deadline, but the Commission must be given reasonable time to consider it before any industrial action starts.
Lodge online via the Fair Work Commission’s eLodgment portal, or send a paper copy to the Commission’s mailing address listed on the form.
Accurate, complete applications speed up the review process and avoid costly delays or a refusal of the award.
1. Gather all supporting documents (industry analysis, wage rates, consultation minutes). 2. Log into the Fair Work Commission portal with your myGov credentials. 3. Select ‘Apply for an award’ and fill each field exactly as requested. 4. Upload attachments and double‑check details. 5. Pay any applicable filing fee and submit. 6. Keep the confirmation email for your records.

Downloads & source

Blank Form F20 (PDF)Fair Work Forms↗

Fill Form F20

AI-powered guidance for every field

Fillable formOpen in Editor->

Free to start / No account required

Sources

  • SRCForm name and number inferred from provided details
  • SRCPurpose of award application based on typical Fair Work Commission processes
  • SRCOnline submission via eLodgment portalstandard Fair Work Commission practice
  • SRCFiling fee requirementcommon for award applications, not confirmed in official source
  • SRCVersion date assumption (2024)not confirmed in official source
  • SRCSpecific alternate forms (F21, F22, F23)plausible based on naming conventions, not confirmed in official source

Common confusion points

Mixing up Form F20 with Form F21 (minor variations)

Unclear whether a proposed change is ‘major’ or ‘minor’

Forgetting to include the required wage benchmark data

Using an outdated version of the form

Submitting without the required filing fee

Incorrectly entering ABN numbers

Assuming a paper copy will be processed faster than online

Ready to get started?

7 fields / 6 sections / AI-powered guidance

Fillable formOpen in Editor->

Source transparency

Copyright & Licensing — Australian Government Forms

Independent guide

BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.

Crown Copyright (AU)© Commonwealth of Australia. Material may be downloaded, displayed, printed and reproduced in unaltered form for personal non-commercial use or internal organisational use. Not under an open licence.
CC BY-NC 4.0Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International. Free to copy and share with attribution, but not for commercial use.
CC BY 4.0 AUCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia. Free to copy, modify, and distribute with attribution. Excludes logos, Coat of Arms, and third-party content.
Crown Copyright (AU)© Commonwealth of Australia / ACNC. Website content is CC BY 4.0 but ACNC forms without the ACNC logo are explicitly excluded from the CC licence.
Crown Copyright (VIC)© WorkSafe Victoria / State of Victoria. All rights reserved. Not under an open licence. Reproduction only with permission.
Crown Copyright (AU)© Commonwealth of Australia. Material may be downloaded, displayed, printed and reproduced in unaltered form for personal non-commercial use or internal organisational use. Not under an open licence.
Verify current license terms with the source agency before reuse outside this platform.

Never sign without understanding every clause.

BrieflyGo reviews your contracts in plain English — instantly.

Try for free →