Zombie agreements
Zombie agreements are registered agreements that were made before 2010. These agreements were set to automatically terminate from 7 December 2023, unless they were extended.
These are registered agreements that continued to operate long after new modern awards and agreements came into effect. They were called 'zombie' because they remained active even though they were outdated. However, as of 7 December 2023, unless actions were taken to renew or replace them, they automatically ceased to be effective. This was to ensure that employment conditions align with current legal and industry standards.
What happened to zombie agreements
Under the Secure Jobs, Better Pay changes, zombie agreements, including agreements made before the Fair Work Act started and enterprise agreements made in its early bridging period, automatically ended on 7 December 2023 unless the Fair Work Commission extended them on application. Employees previously covered by a zombie agreement are now covered by the relevant modern award or a new enterprise agreement. For example, a business that relied on a 2008 workplace agreement now has to pay at least the modern award rates.
Read our guide to Secure Jobs, Better Pay and see sunset.
General information only
This content is general information about Australian employment law, current at the date it was last reviewed. It does not take your circumstances into account and is not legal advice. For advice about your situation, call Employment Compass on 1300 144 002.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Explore more terms
Looking for a related term? Browse plain-English definitions of Fair Work and employment law terms and acronyms, or call our 24/7 HR advice line.
Back to Glossary