Your minimum pay rate and employment conditions can come from an award, an enterprise or other registered agreement, or the national minimum wage.  Employers also have legal and regulatory responsibilities under:

  • the federal Fair Work Act 2009
  • the National Employment Standards.

Employees must be paid for all the hours they work including the time they spend in training, team meetings, opening and closing the business, and working unreasonable trial shifts.

Workplace rights and responsibilities are managed by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

If you're an employee or an employer, you can visit the Ombudsman website to find out about:

  • award pay rates
  • penalty rates and allowances
  • minimum wages
  • paying wages
  • deducting pay and overpayments
  • tax and superannuation
  • payslips and record-keeping
  • unpaid work
  • pay during stand down and severe weather.

The Ombudsman’s pay and conditions tool can be used by employees and employers. It includes a:

  • pay calculator
  • leave calculator
  • notice and redundancy calculator.
Last updated: 7 December 2023