Employing in Australia
From 1 July 2024, the National Minimum Wage is set at $24.10 per hour, or $915.90 for a standard 38-hour week (before tax).
This rate applies to adult employees who are not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Lower minimum rates may apply to junior employees, apprentices, and trainees. Employees with a disability that affects their productivity may also be entitled to a lower rate.
Casual employees who are covered by the National Minimum Wage receive an additional 25% casual loading.
For trainees and apprentices who are not covered by an award or agreement, the percentage scale outlined in the Miscellaneous Award is applied to the National Minimum Wage.
- Age Pension
- Government payment for eligible older Australians (currently age 67+).
- Subject to residency, income, and assets tests.
- Fortnightly payments are reduced if income or assets exceed limits.
- Superannuation
- Employers must contribute 11% of wages to an employee’s super fund.
- Individuals can also make voluntary contributions.
- Super can usually be accessed from age 60 when retired.
- Retirement Income Options
- Super can be taken as a lump sum, regular pension payments, or annuity.
- Self-funded retirees may qualify for concessions like the Seniors Health Card.
The maximum weekly hours are a component of the National Employment Standards (NES), which apply to all employees within the national workplace relations system, irrespective of any applicable award, agreement, or contract.
An employer must not request or require an employee to work more than the specified weekly hours unless the additional hours are considered reasonable. For full-time employees, this limit is 38 hours per week, unless their award or enterprise agreement stipulates otherwise.
An employee (other than a casual employee) accumulates 4 weeks of paid annual leave for each year of service with the employer. An employee’s entitlement to annual leave accumulates continuously based on the number of ordinary hours they work. Annual leave can be taken as soon as it is accumulated. It also does not have to be taken each year. There is no maximum or minimum period of annual leave that can be taken. Awards and registered agreements can set out rules about taking, directing and granting annual leave. Some awards and registered agreements allow annual leave to be cashed out.
An employer is required to provide an employee with written notice of the termination date when ending their employment. An employee must not be dismissed unless the employer has either:
- given the employee the minimum required period of notice, or
- paid the employee in lieu of notice. This payment must be made at the employee’s full pay rate as if they had worked the minimum notice period.
An employee may also need to give their employer notice of termination if their award or enterprise agreement specifies it.
