What Is an EBA and Why Does It Matter?
An Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, or EBA, is one of the most important documents in your working life. It sets out your wages, working conditions, allowances, and entitlements, and it is legally enforceable.
You can find your current EBA in the ANMF Member Portal under the My Workplace menu.
What Does “Legally Enforceable” Mean?
If an agreement is legally enforceable, your employer must follow the terms set out in the EBA. If they do not comply, they may face penalties or be found to have breached the Agreement. ANMF Tasmania can support you if you believe your employer is not meeting their obligations.
Why Do EBAs Exist?
EBAs were introduced in the early 1990s to improve wages and conditions through collective bargaining. The system has not always worked equally across all parts of the workforce, especially in sectors such as aged care and private health.
Historically, EBAs could only apply to a single employer. As a result, workplaces with more ANMF members often achieved stronger outcomes because higher membership density created greater bargaining power.
The public sector is a good example of this. Thousands of ANMF members have worked together to win and protect important conditions such as maternity leave and the postgraduate allowance.
What Has Changed Recently?
In 2023, the Albanese Government introduced workplace laws that allow for multi employer bargaining in some sectors, including private aged care.
This change means workers from different employers may be able to negotiate together for a single agreement, which can increase collective bargaining strength. The new system is complex and its long term impact will become clearer over time, but it represents a significant shift in how bargaining can operate.
Your Role in the EBA Process
Your EBA is your agreement. ANMF negotiates on your behalf, but you contribute to the outcome by sharing ideas, attending meetings, and voting on offers.
Member engagement strengthens the bargaining position of the entire workforce. The more informed and involved you are, the better the outcomes we can achieve together.
Make sure you understand your EBA so you can confirm you are being paid correctly and receiving all of your entitlements.
