🇦🇺FAIR WORKF31A

Application for bargaining order

The F31A form is an Application for bargaining order used when parties need assistance from the Fair Work Commission during enterprise agreement negotiations. This form helps resolve disputes in the bargaining process when agreements cannot be reached between employers and employees.

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Form Overview

Application for bargaining order

The form captures details about the parties involved in bargaining, the specific issues preventing agreement, and the exact order being sought from the Fair Work Commission.

Risk Radar

Ensure you clearly specify the exact order you're seeking from the Fair Work Commission.
Missing required information about bargaining parties
Not providing sufficient detail about the bargaining issues
Submitting without proper authorization from all relevant parties
Missing the 14-day notice period requirement

Plain English

If you're stuck negotiating workplace conditions with your employer and need an independent body to help sort things out, this form is for you. The Fair Work Commission can step in and make decisions about how bargaining should happen when there's a deadlock.

Submission Date

Applications for bargaining orders should generally be made within a reasonable timeframe after the bargaining dispute arises, as there may be time limits specified in the Fair Work Act.
Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

agreement resolve

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Quick Facts

Employees, employers, or bargaining representatives involved in enterprise agreement negotiations who need assistance from the Fair Work Commission may submit this form.

The form captures details about the parties involved in bargaining, the specific issues preventing agreement, and the exact order being sought from the Fair Work Commission.

Submit this form when a dispute arises during the bargaining process for an enterprise agreement that requires intervention from the Fair Work Commission.

The form can be submitted through the Fair Work Commission's online portal, by mail, or possibly in person at their offices.

Submitting an incomplete or incorrect form could cause delays in resolving your bargaining dispute, extending workplace uncertainty. Accurate information helps the Fair Work Commission understand your situation and make appropriate decisions.

First, download the F31A form from the Fair Work Commission website. Fill in all required details about the bargaining parties and the issues you're experiencing. Attach any relevant supporting documents and submit the completed form through your preferred method, keeping a copy for your records.

What this form is for

• Use this form when you need the Fair Work Commission to make an order about the bargaining process for an enterprise agreement
• Use this form when there is a dispute about bargaining that cannot be resolved between parties
• Use this form when you need assistance with good faith bargaining requirements
• Use this form when the bargaining process is at a standstill
• Use this form when you believe a bargaining representative is not acting properly
• Do not use this form for unfair dismissal claims or general workplace disputes unrelated to bargaining

Use this form or another form?

Situation	Likely form	Why it matters	Check before you continue
Dispute about unfair dismissal	F19 - Unfair dismissal application	Different process with different requirements and time limits	Check if your issue is about termination rather than bargaining
Application for general protections	F23 - General protections application	Addresses different workplace rights and protections	Confirm your concern is about workplace rights rather than bargaining issues
Request for flexible working arrangements	F37 - Request for flexible working arrangements	Separate process for individual work arrangement requests	Verify your request is about flexible arrangements, not bargaining
Application for right to entry	F40 - Application for right to entry	For union officials entering workplace for health and safety matters	Ensure your issue is about workplace entry rights, not bargaining disputes

Deadline or filing window

Applications for bargaining orders should generally be made within a reasonable timeframe after the bargaining dispute arises, as there may be time limits specified in the Fair Work Act.

Before you submit

• All required sections of the form are completed
• Information about all bargaining parties is accurate
• Specific order being sought is clearly described
• Supporting documents are attached
• Form is signed by authorized representative
• Copy of the form has been kept for your records
• Form is the most current version
• Appropriate filing fee has been paid if applicable

How to file this form

1Obtain the current F31A form from the Fair Work Commission website
2Complete all sections with accurate information about the bargaining dispute
3Gather any supporting documentation related to the bargaining process
4Submit the completed form through the Fair Work Commission's online portal, by mail, or in person
5Pay any required filing fee
6Keep a copy of the submitted form for your records
7Await confirmation from the Fair Work Commission

Known limitations

• The Fair Work Commission may not grant the specific order requested
• The form does not replace direct negotiation between parties
• The Commission has discretion in how they handle bargaining disputes
• There may be alternative dispute resolution options available
• The form may not be appropriate for all types of workplace issues

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Current Form Status

The F31A form is the current version for applications for bargaining orders, though you should verify the most recent version on the Fair Work Commission's website before submitting.

Agency: Fair Work Commission