Official form guide
Form F55: Application for order about annual leave
Form F55 is the Fair Work Commission’s application for an association of employers to be registered as an organisation under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. Use it when an employer association wants formal registration with the Commission.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Commission Form F55 - Application for order about annual leave
Form F55 is the Fair Work Commission’s application for an association of employers to be registered as an organisation under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. Use it when an employer association wants formal registration with the Commission.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common error is forgetting the required signatures from two authorised persons.
- 2Missing signatures from the minimum two authorised signatories
- 3Submitting draft or proposed rules instead of the current rules
- 4Omitting the full list of members with postal addresses
- 5Failing to include a signed declaration from an authorised officer
Plain English
If you run a group of employers and need official registration, you fill out this form. It collects details about your association, its members, rules and any representatives, then you send it to the Fair Work Commission.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the form once all required documents are ready – there is no set deadline, but the Commission will publish a Gazette notice after receipt, starting a 35‑day objection period for other parties.
- 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
- When an employer association wants formal registration under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009.
- If the association meets the 50‑employee threshold in the six months before lodging.
- When you need to lodge a resolution approving the registration (majority of members or absolute majority of committee).
- To provide the Commission with details of the association’s name, ABN/ACN, contact person and industry.
- If you wish to attach an optional supporting statement or declare branches and officers.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Need to give notice of legal representation
Required when a lawyer or paid agent will act for you at the Commission
✓ Verify representation rules before lodging
Form F53 – Notice of lawyer or paid agent
Applying to change or vary an existing registration
Different procedural requirements
✓ Check the Commission’s form list
Not covered by Form F55 – use the specific variation form listed on the Commission website
Objecting to another association’s registration
Must be lodged within 35 days of Gazette publication
✓ Confirm the Gazette notice date
Not Form F55 – submit an objection to the Gazette notice
Deadline or filing window
After the Commission receives the application, it publishes a Gazette notice; any interested party then has 35 days to object.
Before you submit
- 1Complete the association’s details: name, trading name, ABN/ACN, contact person, address, phone, email, industry.
- 2Attach a copy of the resolution approving registration (majority of members at a general meeting or absolute majority of committee).
- 3Provide evidence that the association employed an average of at least 50 employees in the prior six months, and attach the member list if “Yes”.
- 4Answer the branch question and attach a list of branches if applicable.
- 5Attach the officer’s signed declaration (or indicate “No” if not required).
- 6Decide whether to include an additional supporting statement and attach it if chosen.
- 7Select your preferred communication method (email or post).
- 8If you gave a mobile number, confirm you are able to receive SMS reminders.
- 9Sign the form as an authorised officer of the association.
- 10Lodge the completed form by email to [email protected] or by post/in‑person to the Commission office in your state/territory.
How to file this form
- 1Gather all required documents (resolution, member list, declaration, optional statement).
- 2Fill in the association details on the first page of Form F55.
- 3Answer the eligibility questions and attach supporting pages where required.
- 4Choose your communication preference and provide contact details.
- 5Submit the form via the chosen method (email, post or in‑person).
- 6Keep a copy of the lodged form and any receipt or email confirmation.
Known limitations
- 1Commission staff cannot give legal advice; they only provide procedural information.
- 2Representation by a lawyer or paid agent is optional but must be notified using Form F53 if used.
- 3The form only applies to new registrations; it cannot be used for variations or deregistrations.
- 4If the 50‑employee threshold is not met, the application will be rejected.
- 5A Gazette notice will be published and objections can be raised within 35 days.
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.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form F55 was approved on 17 September 2025 and is the current version for registering an association of employers with the Fair Work Commission.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form is the version approved from 17 Sep 2025 (look for the approval date on the cover).
- Check for the new information icon that flags help text for each question.
- Verify that representation notice must be filed using Form F53 as referenced on page 3.
- Ensure the 50‑employee test wording matches the current regulation (page 9).
- Confirm the email address for lodgement is [email protected].
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCPage 2requirement to attach a copy of the resolution approving registration (majority of members or absolute majority of committee).
- SRCPage 5details to provide about the association (name, ABN/ACN, contact person, industry, communication preference).
- SRCPage 950‑employee threshold question and need to attach member list if “Yes”.
- SRCPage 11branch information question and requirement to list branches if applicable.
- SRCPage 12officer’s declaration requirement and optional attachment.
- SRCPage 3reference to Form F53 for notifying the Commission of legal representation.
- SRCPage 2note that staff cannot give legal advice but can provide process information.
- SRCPage 2Gazette publication and 35‑day objection period details.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form F55 with other Fair Work forms such as F53 or variation forms.
Forgetting to attach the resolution copy that authorises the registration.
Misinterpreting the 50‑employee test – it is an average per month over the six months before lodging.
Leaving the declaration box unchecked when a declaration is actually required.
Not selecting a communication preference, leading to missed email reminders.
Assuming a mobile number is mandatory – it is optional but triggers SMS reminders.
Submitting the form to the wrong email address or postal address.
Believing staff will provide legal advice on the merits of the application.
Source transparency
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