Commonwealth Consolidated Regulations

FAIR WORK (REGISTERED ORGANISATIONS) REGULATIONS 2009

- made under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Name of Regulations [see Note 1]  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Definitions  
   4.      Meaning of approved auditor  
   5.      Declaration envelope -- prescribed form  
   6.      Postal ballot -- prescribed form of prepaid envelope  
   7.      Employing authorities  
   8.      State industrial authorities  
   8A.     Prescribing federal counterpart  
   9.      Declarations -- prescribed officers  
   10.     Prescribed State (RAO Schedule, Ch 11, Pt 7)  
   11.     Prescribed State Act (Ch 11, Pt 7)  

   PART 2--DOCUMENTS

   12.     Authorisation to make, sign or lodge documents  
   13.     Lodgment of documents with FWA  
   14.     Content of notices of objections lodged with FWA  
   15.     Service of documents  
   16.     Publication of documents  
   17.     Sending documents  
   18.     Supply of copies of documents  
   19.     Supply of copies of rules (s 347)  
   20.     Inspection of documents  

   PART 3--REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION (CH 2)

           Division 1--Registration

   21.     Application for registration (s 18)  
   22.     Notification of application for registration (s 18)  
   23.     Objection to registration (s 18)  
   24.     Hearing of application for registration (s 18)  
   25.     Withdrawal of application for registration (s 18)  
   26.     Applicants for Federal Court order (s 23 (2) (b))  
   27.     Application to change name of association or to alter its rules (s 25)  
   28.     Alteration of rules -- lodgment of copies (s 25)  
   29.     Registration of associations -- prescribed particulars (s 26 (1))  
   30.     Prescribed form of certificate of registration (s 26 (4))  
   31.     Issue of copy and replacement certificates (s 26 (6))  
   32.     Extract from register [see Note 2]  

           Division 2--Cancellation of registration

   33.     Cancellation of registration (Schedule 1, s 30 (1) (a))  
   34.     Application for cancellation of registration (s 30 (1) (a))  
   35.     Application for cancellation of registration (s 30 (1) (b))  
   36.     Cancellation of registration of defunct organisation (s 30 (1) (c))  

   PART 4--AMALGAMATION AND WITHDRAWAL FROM AMALGAMATION (CH 3)

           Division 1--Amalgamation of organisations

   37.     Definitions  
   38.     Federations (s 38 (1))  
   39.     Application for a community of interest declaration (s 43 (1))  
   40.     Application for approval for submission of amalgamation to ballot (s 44 (1))  
   41.     Application for exemption from ballot (s 46 (1))  
   42.     Application for ballot not conducted under section 65 of RAO Schedule (s 47 (1))  
   43.     Withdrawal of applications lodged under section 43, 44, 46 or 47 of the Act  
   44.     Submissions at amalgamation hearings -- prescribed matters (s 54 (3))  
   45.     Public notification of refusal to approve the submission of an amalgamation to ballot (s 55 (2))  
   46.     Manner of making objections (s 56)  
   47.     Prescribed persons who may make an objection (s 56 (3))  
   48.     Prescribed grounds for an objection (s 56 (3))  
   49.     Prescribed time for lodging an objection (s 57 (1))  
   50.     Service of notice of objection (s 56)  
   51.     Statement in reply to an objection (s 56)  
   52.     Hearing of objections (s 56)  
   53.     Applicants to be heard before an application may be refused (s 57 (2))  
   54.     General Manager to supply copies of documents to AEC (s 50)  
   55.     Form and publication of notice of ballot (s 58)  
   56.     Preparation of roll of voters (s 59)  
   57.     Inspection of roll of voters (s 59)  
   58.     Scheme for amalgamation -- electoral official to supply copies of documents on request (s 65 (8))  
   59.     Ballot not conducted under section 65 of the Act -- electoral official to fix commencement and closing times, and give information and material to persons entitled to vote  
   60.     Ballot papers -- forms (s 65)  
   61.     Issuing of ballot papers -- attendance voting (s 64)  
   62.     Duplicate ballot papers -- attendance voting (s 64)  
   63.     Dispatch of ballot papers (s 65 (8))  
   64.     Duplicate ballot paper etc -- postal voting (s 64 (b) (vi) and 65 (8))  
   65.     Manner of voting (s 65 (8))  
   66.     Custody of ballot papers (s 64 and 65 (8))  
   67.     Scrutiny (s 64 and 65 (8))  
   68.     Scrutineers (s 64 and 65 (8))  
   69.     Post-ballot report by AEC (s 68 (2)) [see Note 2]  
   70.     Declaration of ballot (s 69)  
   71.     Preservation of ballot papers  
   72.     Request by member for information about ballot  
   73.     Application for inquiry into ballot irregularity (s 69 (1))  
   74.     Hearing of inquiry into ballot irregularity (s 69 (3))  
   75.     Inspection of documents for inquiry (s 69 (3))  
   76.     Inquiry into ballot irregularity -- procedure at hearing (s 69 (3))  
   77.     Inquiry into ballot irregularity -- orders if ballot not completed (s 69 (3))  
   78.     Public notification of amalgamation day (s 73 (2))  
   79.     Registration of amalgamated organisations (s 73 (3) (a))  

           Division 2--Withdrawal from amalgamations

   80.     Definitions  
   81.     Application for ballot -- number of constituent members (s 94 (3) (a))  
   82.     Application for ballot -- prescribed form (s 94 (4))  
   83.     Outline of proposed withdrawal -- matters to be addressed (s 95 (1) (b))  
   84.     Commencing day and closing day (s 100)  
   85.     General Manager to supply copies of question (s 102 (1))  
   86.     Form and publication of notice of ballot (s 102 (1))  
   87.     Conduct of ballot (s 102 (1))  
   88.     Roll of voters for ballot -- preparation (s 101)  
   89.     Roll of voters for ballot -- inspection (s 102 (1))  
   90.     Electoral official to supply copies of question (s 102 (1))  
   91.     Dispatch of ballot papers (s 102 (1))  
   92.     Ballot paper (s 102 (1))  
   93.     Duplicate ballot paper (s 102 (1))  
   94.     Manner of voting (s 102 (1))  
   95.     Custody of ballot papers (s 102 (1))  
   96.     Scrutiny of ballot (s 102 (1))  
   97.     Scrutineers (s 102 (1))  
   98.     Post-ballot report by AEC (s 107)  
   99.     Declaration of ballot (s 108)  
   100.    Preservation of ballot papers (s 108 (1))  
   101.    Request by member for information about ballot  
   102.    Application for inquiry into ballot irregularity (s 108 (1))  
   103.    Inquiry into ballot irregularity (s 108 (3))  
   104.    Inquiry into ballot irregularity -- inspection of documents (s 108 (3))  
   105.    Inquiry into ballot irregularity -- procedure at hearing (s 108 (3))  
   106.    Inquiry into ballot irregularity -- orders if ballot not completed (s 108 (3))  
   107.    Application for withdrawal day (s 109)  
   108.    Registration of constituent part (s 110)  
   109.    Supply of copies of determination (s 109 (1) (a) and (b))  
   110.    Constituent part  
   111.    Applicants for orders under subsection 131 (2) of the Act -- prescribed persons  

           Division 3--Conduct of ballots by AEC

   112.    Conduct of ballot (s 64 and 65)  
   113.    Ballots conducted by AEC -- no unauthorised action  
   114.    No action for defamation in certain cases  

   PART 4A--REPRESENTATION ORDERS (CH 4)

   114A.   Representation rights of former State-registered association subject to demarcation order -- transitional registration without demarcation order and no previous order under Chapter 4 of the RAO Schedule (section 138A )  
   114B.   Representation rights of former State-registered associations subject to demarcation order -- no transitional registration and no previous order under Chapter 4 of the Act (section 138A )  
   114C.   Representation rights of former State-registered associations subject to demarcation order -- transitional registration with demarcation order and no previous order under Chapter 4 of the Act (section 138A )  
   114D.   Representation rights of former State-registered association involved in proceedings regarding representation rights in a State or Territory immediately before the reform commencement (section 138A)  

   PART 5--RULES OF ORGANISATIONS (CH 5)

           Division 1--Rules of organisations

   115.    Application for exemption from requirement for postal ballot (s 144 (2))  
   116.    Prescriptions for purposes of paragraph 144 (6) (b) and subsection 144 (7) of the Act  
   117.    Membership agreements -- prescribed form (s 151 (1))  
   118.    Assets and liabilities agreements -- prescribed form (s 152 (2))  
   119.    Hearing in relation to alterations of rules (s 156 (1))  
   120.    Hearing in relation to alteration of rules -- breach of undertaking (s 157 (2)) [see Note 2]  
   121.    Application for consent to change of name or alteration of eligibility rules of an organisation (s 158 (1))  
   122.    Notification of application for consent to change of name or alteration of eligibility rules (s 158)  
   123.    Withdrawal of application for consent to change name (s 158)  
   124.    Change of name or alteration of eligibility rules of organisation -- objections (s 158)  
   125.    Change of name etc -- hearing of application for consent (s 158)  
   125A.   Matter prescribed for alteration of eligibility rules (s 158A)  
   125B.   Manner of application to alter eligibility rules (s 158A)  
   125C.   Notice of application to alter eligibility rules (s 158A)  
   125D.   Withdrawal of application to alter eligibility rules (s 158A)  
   125E.   Notice of withdrawal of application to alter eligibility rules (s 158A)  
   125F.   Objection to application to alter eligibility rules (s 158A)  
   125G.   Hearing about application to alter eligibility rules (s 158A)  
   125H.   Correction of eligibility rules -- typographical, clerical or formal error  
   126.    Alteration of other rules of organisations (s 159 (1))  

           Division 2--Validity and performance of rules

   127.    Hearing in relation to rules contravening section 142 of the Act (s 163)  

   PART 6--MEMBERSHIP OF ORGANISATIONS (CH 6)

   128.    Conscientious objection -- issue of certificates (s 180 (1))  
   129.    Conscientious objection -- renewal of certificates (s 180 (3))  
   130.    Conscientious objection -- revocation of certificates (s 180 (4))  

   PART 7--DEMOCRATIC CONTROL (CH 7)

           Division 1--Conduct of elections -- preparation and inspection

   131.    Preparation and inspection of voter rolls (s 182)  
   132.    Rules for purpose of sections 193, 197 and 198 of the Act  
   133.    Application for organisation or branch to conduct its elections for office (s 183 (1)) [see Note 2]  
   134.    Publication of notice for subsection 183 (4) of the Act  
   135.    Objections to application to conduct elections for office (s 184 (1)) [see Note 2]  
   136.    Hearing of application to conduct elections for office (s 184 (2))  
   137.    Revocation of exemption allowing an organisation or branch to conduct its elections for office (s 186 (2))  
   138.    Prescribed information for election (s 189 (1))  
   139.    Availability of post-election report (s 193)  
   140.    Declaration of result of election (s 193)  
   141.    Post-election report by AEC (s 197 (2))  
   142.    Adverse report on rules (s 198)  
   143.    Application for inquiry into election (s 200)  
   144.    Prescribed form of identity card (s 203 (2) (a))  

           Division 2--Conduct of elections by AEC

   145.    Elections conducted by AEC -- no unauthorised action  
   146.    No action for defamation in certain cases  

   PART 8--RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS (CH 8)

   147.    Prescribed records to be kept and lodged by organisations (s 230 (1) (d))  
   148.    Prescribed day for keeping copy of register (s 231 (2))  
   149.    Prescribed time to lodge information (s 233 (1))  
   150.    Prescribed officer for lodging information (s 233 and 236 (1))  
   151.    Prescribed period for notification of change to records (s 233 (2))  
   152.    Notice to be published (s 241 (1))  
   153.    Application for determination of reporting units (s 246 (1) (a))  
   154.    Determination of reporting units (s 247)  
   155.    Application for revocation of certificate (s 249 (4) (a))  
   156.    Prescribed procedure for revoking certificate (s 249 (6) (b) and (7))  
   157.    Opportunity to be heard (s 247 and 249)  
   158.    Keeping records (s 252 (1) (a))  
   159.    Prescribed information contained in operating report (s 254 (2) (f))  
   160.    Limit on length of written representations (s 263 (5))  
   161.    Concise report (s 265 (3) (a))  
   162.    Prescribed officer for issuing certificate (s 268 (c))  
   163.    Prescribed State Act (s 269 (1) (a))  
   164.    Preparation of general purpose financial report (s 270)  
   165.    Prescribed circumstances (s 271 (1))  
   166.    Information to be given to members (s 272 (1) and (2))  
   167.    Evidence of membership of organisation to be supplied (s 272 (1))  

   PART 9--CIVIL CONSEQUENCES OF CONTRAVENING CIVIL PENALTY PROVISIONS (CH 10)

   168.    Civil penalty provisions  
   169.    Pecuniary penalty orders that the Federal Court may make  
   170.    Other orders  
   171.    Who may apply for an order  
   172.    Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings  
   173.    Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings  
   174.    Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings  
   175.    Evidence given in proceedings for penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings  
   176.    Relief from liability for contravention of civil penalty provision  

   PART 10--MISCELLANEOUS (CH 11)

   177.    Authorisation to act in relation to applications or proceedings  
   178.    Proceedings before General Manager  
   179.    Proceedings before FWA  
   180.    Use of previous evidence  
   181.    General powers of General Manager  
   181A.   Delegation by General Manager to staff -- prescribed class of employees  

   PART 11--CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS

   182.    Information to be provided to members or General Manager (RAO Schedule, s 272 (1) (as modified by item 46 of Schedule 1 to the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Registration and Accountability of Organisations) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2002))  
           SCHEDULE 1A Federal counterparts
           SCHEDULE 1 Transitionally recognised associations
           SCHEDULE 1AA Prescribed State laws
           SCHEDULE 2 Recognised State-registered associations
           SCHEDULE 3 Forms