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Pay and work conditions

When you work, you should get certain conditions that are the same across all workplaces, and minimum pay rates.

Employment standards

There are National Employment Standards that apply to employees in Australia. The standards outline what you should get when you work as an employee. This includes leave, maximum weekly hours and flexible working arrangements.

Find out more about the National Employment Standards on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

Minimum wages

The minimum wage you’re entitled to earn is set by one of these:

  • an award, which has the minimum pay rates and work conditions for more than 100 industries and jobs
  • your workplace’s enterprise agreement
  • the National Minimum Wage, which is for employees who don’t have an award or an enterprise agreement.

When you start a job, your employer may ask you to sign an employment contract. This is an agreement between you and your employer. Contracts can’t set conditions or pay rates that are less than an award, an enterprise agreement or the National Minimum Wage.

Find the award for your job or find out more about the National Minimum wage on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. These links will take you away from myGov.

  • Awards

    Find out which industries and jobs use awards, or find the award that applies to you.

  • The National Minimum Wage

    Find out about the National Minimum Wage and how much it is.

Check your pay and conditions

Check your pay and leave are correct using the Pay and Conditions Tool on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

Information in your language

You can find help in your language about pay and work conditions on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Page last updated: 24 August 2023