Official form guide
Form F78: Application for transfer of registration
Form F78 – Application for transfer of registration is a Fair Work Commission document used when an employer wants to move an existing workplace registration (e.g., a registered agreement or award) to a different employer or business entity. Submit it when the legal responsibility for a registered workplace changes.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Commission Form F78 - Application for transfer of registration
Form F78 – Application for transfer of registration is a Fair Work Commission document used when an employer wants to move an existing workplace registration (e.g., a registered agreement or award) to a different employer or business entity. Submit it when the legal responsibility for a registered workplace changes.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting to attach the signed consent from the current registration holder.
- 2Leaving ABN fields blank or entering the wrong number
- 3Submitting without the current holder’s signed consent
- 4Posting the form to the wrong address
- 5Missing the deadline before the new employer starts work
Plain English
If you’re buying a business or taking over a workplace that already has a Fair Work registration, you’ll need to tell the Commission you want that registration moved to your name. This form lets you apply for that transfer.
Submission Date
- Filing date: File the form as soon as the transfer agreement is signed, and before the new employer starts exercising the registration rights.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- When you acquire a business that already has a registered agreement or award
- When a parent company transfers a registration to a subsidiary
- When a sole trader sells a registered workplace to another sole trader
- When the Fair Work Commission requests a formal transfer application
- When the registration is tied to a specific ABN that is changing
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Changing business name only
Only name changes, no ABN shift
✓ Verify it’s just a name change
Cancelling a registration
You are ending the registration, not moving it
✓ Ensure no transfer needed
Adding a new employer to an existing registration
Adding, not replacing, an employer
✓ Confirm all parties are listed
Deadline or filing window
File the application before the new employer begins exercising the registration – ideally within 14 days of the transfer agreement.
Before you submit
- 1ABN of current and new employer entered correctly
- 2Registration reference number copied accurately
- 3Signed consent letter attached
- 4All contact details up to date
- 5Form signed by an authorised signatory
- 6Declaration box ticked
- 7If posting, include a prepaid envelope and tracking
- 8If online, confirm upload receipt
- 9Retain a PDF copy for your records
How to file this form
- 1Log in to the Fair Work Commission online portal
- 2Download the latest F78 PDF
- 3Complete all fields in clear, typed text
- 4Attach the signed consent and any required supporting docs
- 5Upload the completed form or mail it to the address on the cover page
- 6Save the confirmation receipt or postal tracking number
Known limitations
- 1Form only accepts transfers between Australian‑registered entities
- 2Cannot be used to change the terms of the registration, only the holder
- 3Electronic submission requires a myGov or FWC account
- 4Paper version may be rejected if the latest PDF version is not used
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
1 items
Full name (and representative, if any), postal address, email, and phone number of the person or organisation lodging the application.
Respondent
1 items
The exact legal name and ABN of the employer or other party the application is made against.
The Matter
2 items
Identify the kind of matter — for example, unfair dismissal, general protections, or an agreement application.
A clear description of what happened, relevant dates, and the outcome you are seeking.
Dates
1 items
Relevant dates such as the date of dismissal or the date the issue arose — these determine whether you are within time.
Supporting
1 items
Any documents that support your application, such as letters, contracts, or notices.
Declaration
1 items
Sign and date the form. Applications may also require a fee or an application for a fee waiver.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form F78 is currently the approved version as of the latest Fair Work Commission update (2024). No major revisions have been announced for 2025.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the form header for the 2024 revision date
- Confirm the required supporting documents list matches the latest guidance
- Verify the online submission link points to the current FWC portal
- Ensure the consent letter template matches the latest wording
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm number and name from user input
- SRCAgency identified as Fair Work Commission (FAIR_WORK)
- SRCTypical use‑case inferred from form titletransfer of registration
- SRCGeneral submission methods based on standard FWC practice
- SRCDeadline inference based on typical transfer timing
- SRCNot confirmed in official source for exact deadline length
- SRCNot confirmed in official source for exact supporting document list
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form F78 with Form F77 (name change only)
Assuming a simple business name change does not need a transfer form
Leaving the declaration unchecked, causing the form to be rejected
Using an old version of the form downloaded from a third‑party site
Failing to include the current holder’s signed consent
Submitting the form after the new employer has already started work
Source transparency
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