Voting methods

The Fair Work Act 2009 does not prescribe any particular voting method. The Fair Work Act contemplates that a vote could occur by ballot, by an 'electronic method' or by some other method.

The voting method is at the discretion of the employer or can be by agreement between bargaining representatives.

Some commonly used voting methods are set out below.

The employees vote for the proposed enterprise agreement either by completing a ballot form and placing it in a ballot box, or by a show of hands at a meeting.

The employees vote for the proposed enterprise agreement by completing a ballot form which has been posted to a nominated address, and is returned by return post.

Postal voting is often used for employees who are absent from work on leave at the time when an attendance vote occurs.

The employees vote for the proposed enterprise agreement by completing an electronic ballot form which may be sent to them via email, or be hosted on the employer's intranet or on an internet page.

The employees vote for the proposed enterprise agreement by either phoning a telephone number and voting by using the IVR (interactive voice response) or by calling a 'yes' phone number or a 'no' phone number.

Related information

• Notification of vote – common defects & issues