Employment rights and responsibilities

Your minimum rights and responsibilities at work may be set by a legal document like an award or agreement. This should tell you things like:

Your minimum rate of pay
When you will be paid
If you are entitled to more money for working weekends, nights and public holidays
The minimum number of hours you can be rostered and paid for

Ask your employer which award or agreement will apply to you and your job so you can find out how it will affect you.

Learn about your employment rights

Download a copy of ‘A Guide to Starting a New Job’ [PDF 512KB] to learn about your workplace rights.
Visit the Fair Work website for extensive information about your employment rights and conditions, including how much you should be paid.
Download a copy of the ‘My Employment Checklist’ [PDF 365KB] to use before you start a new job.

Unpaid work trials are generally against the law - you should not be asked to work for free.
You should be paid for all hours you work, including meetings or training and the time you spend opening and closing the business.
Not being given a pay slip. You should get a pay slip within 1 day of being paid.
You should generally start and finish your shift at the rostered time no matter how busy or quiet it is, unless you and your employer agree otherwise.
Getting goods or services (including food) instead of pay.

Visit the ‘Tax and super in Australia: what you need to know’ page from the Australian Taxation Office.
Visit the ATO website on superannuation.