Latest news

We’re talking Zombie Agreements this Halloween

We’re continuing to consult with workers from Bendigo Community Banks about your pay and conditions, which will help form your new Bendigo Community Bank Cooperative Workplace Agreement.

This Agreement will cover workers from more than 200 worksites across the country, and will determine your terms and conditions of employment such as pay increases, leave and more.

We’ve already heard from hundreds of Bendigo workers, so if you haven’t yet had a say, now is the time.

Take the survey

If you’ve already completed the survey, share it with a colleague today.

You may be on a Zombie Agreement

However, many workers are actually not currently covered by an Enterprise Agreement. Meaning they receive the minimum legal entitlements or are on an expired Enterprise Agreement, including those that date back to before 2010 and are known as ‘Zombie Agreements’.

Due to changes to workplace laws, ‘Zombie Agreements’ will terminate on 7 December 2023 and everyone covered by them will return to the minimum legal entitlements set by the Banking Award (known as the Banking, Finance and Insurance Award).

So yesterday, the FSU applied to the Fair Work Commission to have these Zombie Agreements extended. If they are extended:

  • The status quo will be maintained which will minimise any disruption and confusion about terms and conditions.
  • Existing entitlements that are better than the Banking Award will be retained while negotiating terms and conditions in the new Enterprise Agreement.
  • We’ll be able to negotiate a fair Agreement that meets the expectations of workers without the 7 December time pressure looming!

We have also written to the Community Bank Boards about our decision to seek an extension of the Zombie Agreements. We await a hearing date from the Fair Work Commission and will keep you updated.

Know someone who isn’t a member?

If you know someone who is not an FSU member, or may be new to Bendigo Bank and unsure about their rights, ask them to join! With a strong union membership, better outcomes are achieved.

Related content

BECOME AN FSU MEMBER TODAY.

When you join the FSU, you get access to expert workplace support whenever you need it. From pay and conditions to restructures and workplace disputes, we help you understand your rights. You'll receive representation where it’s needed and access to exclusive member benefits that add value beyond the workplace. If something isn’t right, or you simply want clarity about your options, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Proudly supported by:
The Finance Sector Union respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work, and pay respect to First Nations Peoples and their Elders, past and present.
Authorised by Julia Angrisano, Finance Sector Union of Australia, Level 13, 380 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000.
Copyright © 2026 Finance Sector Union (FSU). All rights reserved.