Official form guide
Form F42A: Application for order about access to records
Form F42A is the Fair Work Commission’s application for a Work Health and Safety (WHS) entry permit. Use it when an organisation needs a permit to enter a workplace for WHS purposes.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Commission Form F42A - Application for order about access to records
Form F42A is the Fair Work Commission’s application for a Work Health and Safety (WHS) entry permit. Use it when an organisation needs a permit to enter a workplace for WHS purposes.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Applying without a current Fair Work Act entry permit will cause the application to be rejected.
- 2Leaving the Fair Work Act entry permit status blank or incorrect
- 3Omitting the statutory declaration or failing to have an authorised witness
- 4Using a nickname instead of the full legal name for the permit holder
- 5Not including details of completed WHS training
Plain English
If your business or union wants official permission to go onto a site to check health and safety, you fill out this form. It collects details about your group, the person who will hold the permit, and a statutory declaration.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the form as soon as you need a WHS entry permit; the application cannot be finalised until all required information is received.
- 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
- You are a Committee of Management member of an employee organisation or branch.
- You need a WHS entry permit for an official of that organisation or branch.
- The official already holds, or has applied for, a Fair Work entry permit.
- A statutory declaration has been made by the proposed permit holder.
- The application is being made under section 131 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
No existing Fair Work entry permit
WHS entry permit cannot be applied for without it
✓ Verify permit status first
Applicant not a Committee of Management member
Different form may be required
✓ Check eligibility criteria
Requesting a general Fair Work right of entry
Use Fair Work entry permit form (e.g., F41)
✓ Confirm correct form on FWC website
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed calendar deadline, but the form must be lodged before the WHS entry permit can be issued; any delay in providing required details holds up the process.
Before you submit
- 1Organisation name, branch (if any) and postal address completed.
- 2Committee of Management member’s full name, office, email and phone listed.
- 3Contact person authorised to lodge the application identified.
- 4Proposed permit holder’s full legal name, contact details and role recorded.
- 5Fair Work entry permit details (number and expiry or lodgment date) entered.
- 6Statutory declaration signed by the proposed permit holder.
- 7Witness signature, full name, qualification and address added.
- 8Committee of Management member signature and date included.
- 9All required boxes ticked (e.g., current permit or lodged application).
- 10Form emailed to [email protected] with any attachments.
How to file this form
- 1Gather organisation, committee member and contact details.
- 2Collect the proposed permit holder’s legal name, role and Fair Work permit information.
- 3Complete the form sections on pages 2‑3, ticking the correct options.
- 4Sign the statutory declaration and have a qualified witness sign the witness section.
- 5Have the Committee of Management member sign the declaration at the end of the form.
- 6Email the completed form and any supporting documents to [email protected].
- 7Keep a copy of the emailed file and note the date sent.
Known limitations
- 1Only for Committee of Management members applying on behalf of an official.
- 2Requires the official to already hold or have applied for a Fair Work entry permit.
- 3Names of the applicant organisation and permit holder may be published on the Commission’s website.
- 4The form must be submitted by email; postal submissions are not accepted.
- 5Does not cover other types of workplace entry or inspection permits.
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 F42A is approved for use from 12 June 2025 and remains the current application for a WHS entry permit.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form is the version approved on 12 June 2025.
- Check that the applicant organisation details match the current branch address.
- Verify the proposed permit holder’s Fair Work entry permit number and expiry date are entered.
- Ensure the statutory declaration box is ticked and signed by the permit holder.
- Confirm both the witness and Committee member signatures are present.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm approved with effect from 12 June 2025 (p.1).
- SRCPurpose: application for a WHS entry permit under section 131 of the WHS Act 2011 (p.1).
- SRCEligibility: Committee of Management member applying for an official who has a current or applied Fair Work entry permit and has made a statutory declaration (p.1).
- SRCPrivacy notice may publish applicant and permit holder names and decision (p.1).
- SRCStatutory declaration box and signature requirements (p.5).
- SRCWitness signature block with required details (p.5).
- SRCCommittee of Management member declaration and signature requirements (p.5).
- SRCSubmission email address: [email protected] (p.5).
- SRCPost‑submission actions: email confirmation, possible contact for errors, permit mailed if approved (p.5).
- SRCAny other forms for different situationsnot confirmed in official source.
Common confusion points
Mixing up a Fair Work entry permit with a WHS entry permit.
Who is allowed to sign: the permit holder, the witness, and the Committee member each have separate signatures.
Whether a statutory declaration is required if the permit holder already has a Fair Work permit.
Understanding that the Commission may publish the applicant’s and permit holder’s names online.
The correct email address for submission ([email protected]).
What to do if the proposed holder does not yet have a Fair Work entry permit.
How to fill the ‘previous names’ field if none apply.
Ensuring the witness’s qualification and contact address are provided.
Source transparency
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