A 2025 EA Voting Compliance Guide for Australian Employers

Enterprise agreement ballots are under sharper scrutiny in 2025, following reforms by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) If your organisation is planning to conduct an enterprise agreement vote this year, understanding your legal obligations and using a secure, compliant process is essential.

In this guide, we break down what’s new, how to ensure EA ballot compliance and how using a secure online voting platformcan help avoid costly delays.

What Is an Enterprise Agreement Ballot?

An enterprise agreement ballot is the process where employees vote to approve or reject a proposed enterprise agreement (EA) between an employer and its workforce. These agreements cover pay, working conditions, and employee entitlements. They must be approved by a majority of voting employees before being submitted to the FWC for approval

What are the Key Updates for EA Voting?

New FWC Genuine Agreement Principles

Since 6 June 2023, the Fair Work Commission applies a Statement of Principles for Genuine Agreement to assess whether employees genuinely agree to a proposed EA. These principles remain crucial in 2025.

Key requirements include:

Why EA Ballot Compliance Matters for HR, Legal, and Governance Teams

Failure to meet FWC standards can result in your enterprise agreement being rejected, even if most employees vote “yes”.

Recent data shows around 30% of enterprise agreements have been refused due to procedural non-compliance, leading to:

2025 EA Ballot Compliance Checklist

1. Provide Full Access and Clear Information

Ensure that all employees receive:

• The complete enterprise agreement and any incorporated documents
• A clear explanation of the terms and their effect
• A minimum 7-day review period before voting begins

2. Support for Vulnerable or Diverse Workers

The FWC requires extra steps to help employees who may struggle to understand the EA due to:

• Low literacy
• English as a second language
• Cognitive or physical impairments

This may include:

• Multilingual explanations
• Visual or audio versions of the EA
• Interpreter services or simplified summaries

3. Use a Secure and Transparent Voting Method

Your EA ballot must be:

• Confidential and tamper-proof
• Equally accessible to all eligible employees
• Verifiable, with accurate records of votes cast and outcomes

In 2025, most organisations are adopting digital enterprise agreement voting platforms to meet these standards.

How Vero Voting Supports EA Ballot Compliance in 2025

At Vero Voting, we help Australian businesses, unions, and government bodies run compliant, accessible, and stress-free EA ballots.

Why HR and legal teams choose Vero Voting:

🕛 Learn more: Explore our Enterprise Agreement Ballot Solutions

Final Thoughts: Be Prepared for EA Voting in 2025

With FWC compliance standards now embedded, enterprise agreement voting in 2025 demands clarity, planning, and secure technology. For HR professionals, employment lawyers, and company secretaries, the path to approval starts with the right tools and guidance.

Need Help Running a Compliant Enterprise Agreement Vote?

Let Vero Voting manage your next EA ballot with full FWC compliance, secure digital voting, and nationwide support.

📞 Book a free consultation with our team
🌐 Visit verovoting.com.au for more information