🇦🇺 Australia · Employment & Labor
Hiring rules, employment contracts, payroll, social insurance, and EOR options.
Quick answer
Australian employment is governed by the Fair Work Act and the National Employment Standards (NES) — a national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission, four weeks' paid annual leave, and unfair-dismissal protection. Most jobs are also covered by a 'modern award' or agreement; the Fair Work Ombudsman enforces the rules.
Employment is governed by the Fair Work Act and the National Employment Standards, regulated by the Fair Work Ombudsman; minimum wages are set by the Fair Work Commission.
- The National Employment Standards set minimum entitlements such as leave and maximum weekly hours.
- Awards and the national minimum wage set pay floors by industry and role.
- Employers must pay superannuation contributions for eligible employees.
Step-by-step
- 1
Check your award or agreement
Confirm whether a modern award or enterprise agreement covers your role; it sets minimum pay, allowances and conditions above the NES.
- 2
Get your terms and Fair Work information
Employers must give new staff the Fair Work Information Statement; get your pay classification and hours in writing.
- 3
Know your pay and hours rights
You must receive at least the applicable award/agreement rate or the national minimum wage, with penalty rates and a standard 38-hour week plus reasonable overtime.
- 4
Understand NES leave entitlements
The NES gives four weeks' paid annual leave, paid personal/carer's leave, and parental leave; long-service leave accrues under state law.
- 5
Sort tax and super
Give your Tax File Number, and your employer pays compulsory superannuation on top of wages.
- 6
Know unfair-dismissal and dispute rules
After the minimum employment period you are protected from unfair dismissal; raise issues with the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Fair Work Commission.
Checklist
- Award/agreement coverage checked
- Fair Work Information Statement + written terms
- Award/minimum wage + penalty rates + 38-hour week
- NES leave (4 weeks annual + personal/parental)
- Tax File Number + superannuation
- Minimum employment period + unfair-dismissal protection
- Anti-discrimination protections
- Dispute route (Fair Work Ombudsman / Commission)
Official authorities
- Fair Work Ombudsman
Employment standards, pay and workplace rights.
Frequently asked questions
What is a modern award?
An award is an industry or occupation instrument setting minimum pay and conditions above the National Employment Standards.
How much annual leave do I get?
The National Employment Standards give four weeks' paid annual leave (pro-rated for part-time).
What is superannuation?
Employers must pay a percentage of your ordinary earnings into a retirement (super) fund, on top of your wages.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Australian Government — Australian Government's official entry point — quick access to all department services
- Dept of Home Affairs — Student/work visas, skilled migration (189/190/491 subclasses), and citizenship applications
- Australian Tax Office (ATO) — TFN application, tax refunds, GST, superannuation, and personal income tax lodgment