Official form guide
Form F20: Application for an award
This form is used by employers to apply to the Fair Work Commission for approval of a 'greenfields' enterprise agreement. A greenfields agreement applies when you're setting up a new business where no employees will be covered yet, but you'll soon hire people who need this agreement. Use Form F20 if your agreement fits that description.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Commission Form F20 - Application for an award
This form is used by employers to apply to the Fair Work Commission for approval of a 'greenfields' enterprise agreement. A greenfields agreement applies when you're setting up a new business where no employees will be covered yet, but you'll soon hire people who need this agreement. Use Form F20 if your agreement fits that description.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Not submitting within the 14-day window after making the agreement.
- 2Failing to include a correctly signed copy of the agreement
- 3Not comparing your agreement terms with modern awards (question 11)
- 4Missing required signatures from employee organisations
- 5Delaying serving copies to other parties after lodging
Plain English
If you're starting a brand-new company and haven't hired anyone for it yet (but plan to), you might use this form to get approval for an employment agreement from the Fair Work Commission. It's like telling the government 'we want to create these workplace rules, let us check they're fair'.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit it within 14 days after you make the greenfields agreement.
- 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
- Use this form if you're an employer covered by a greenfields agreement.
- Only use Form F20 for agreements made under Fair Work Act subsection 182(3).
- If your agreement is under section 182(4) of the Act, use Form F21B instead.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Situation
Why it matters
✓ Check before you continue
Greenfields agreement under section 182(4) of the Fair Work Act
The source specifies using F21B for that section.
✓ Confirm your agreement's subsection.
Agreement not a greenfields type
Non-greenfields agreements require Form F17.
✓ Verify if your agreement applies to new employees (greenfields).
Deadline or filing window
You must lodge this form within 14 days from when you create the greenfields agreement.
Before you submit
- 1Include a correctly signed declaration and copy of the agreement (with signatures, authority explanations).
- 2Lodge documents via post/email or in person at your state/territory office.
- 3Serve copies to all covered employers and employee organisations as soon as practicable after lodging.
- 4Attach any supporting material requested for question 7 on page 7.
- 5Match each employee classification in the agreement with modern award classifications (page 8).
- 6List terms more beneficial than modern awards if applicable (question 9, page 9).
How to file this form
- 1Complete Form F20 with all required information about your greenfields agreement.
- 2Prepare a signed declaration and copy of the agreement (including signatures and authority explanations).
- 3Lodge the completed form via post to [email protected], email, or in person at the Fair Work Commission office in your state/territory.
- 4After lodging, serve copies of all documents to each covered employer and employee organisation.
Known limitations
- 1The Fair Work Commission cannot provide legal advice—staff can only give process information (e.g., how to fill out forms).
- 2Even if completed correctly, there's no guarantee the agreement will be approved; it depends on meeting legislative requirements.
- 3You must ensure employees covered by the agreement are 'better off overall' than under relevant awards (per Fair Work Act 2009).
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->This form (F20) was approved with effect from 9 September 2024.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Ensure you're using the form approved from 9 September 2024.
- Confirm your agreement is a greenfields one (new enterprise without current employees) before completing F20.
- Check that Part 3 on the better off overall test includes all required information.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm name confirmed as 'Application for an award' from source p1.
- SRCAgency is Fair Work Commission (FAIR_WORK) per header information.
- SRCForm number F20 matches the source header.
- SRCUsed specifically for greenfields agreements under subsection 182(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (source p1).
- SRCIf agreement is under section 182(4), Form F21B must be used instead (source p1).
- SRCRequires a signed declaration and copy of the agreement with full signatures/authority explanations (source p2).
Common confusion points
Using Form F20 when your agreement is not a greenfields type—this requires Form F17 instead.
Forgetting to include both the declaration and signed copy of the agreement in your lodgement.
Not serving copies of documents to all covered employers/employee organisations after lodging (required by page 2).
Mismatching employee classifications between the agreement and modern awards (page 8 requires precise matching).
Source transparency
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