The process to approve an agreement

After the applicant applies for approval, we:

• confirm we have received it
• give them a reference number
• ask for more information if we need it
• tell them if the application contains errors.

We add details of the application to the list of agreements in progress.

We check to ensure each application is complete, accurate and meets all the requirements. These include:

• the agreement can pass the Better Off Overall Test
• the application is free from common errors.

If you have not met all requirements in full, we may ask you for more information.

Once we finish the pre-approval check, we pass the application to a Commission Member.

The Member must be satisfied that an agreement meets the standards. These are different, depending on the type of agreement. See Standards an agreement must meet.

The Member may ask you:

• for more information
• to add ‘undertakings' to fix an issue.

An individual or organisation can ask for a hearing before the Member issues a decision. To do so, you can:

• fill out the relevant section of the declaration. Organisations use Form F18 and individuals use Form F18A
• email member.assist@fwc.gov.au
• contact the Member's chambers using the details in our communication to you.

If a Member approves the application, we add the decision and a copy of the agreement to our website. This copy includes any undertakings and model terms.

We also email these details to the parties in the application.

• See our approval timelines and how to ask for an update.

The agreement will come into effect 7 days after the Member approves it, unless the agreement says a later day.