Employment contracts Australia

What should an employment contract in Australia include?

Employment contracts in Australia should contain the following essential elements:

• Employer’s and employee’s personal details, such as names, addresses, and contact information.
• Job position, comprehensive description, rights, and duties.
• Work schedule, including days and hours of work.
• Payschedule, including wage rates or salaries and any additional benefits.
• Non-competition and confidentiality policies.
• Terms under which the employment contract can be terminated, including notice periods and severance pays, if applicable.

The employer and the employee should read, understand and agree to each clause of the agreement before signing it.

What types of employment contracts exist in Australia?

In Australia, there are a few important types of employment contracts, as follows:

1. Employee contracts

There are two major categories of employee contracts:

• Permanent employment contracts: Permanent or indefinite employment contracts offer job stability and security, as they don’t feature a fixed end date. Regarding termination, permanent contracts can be terminated by either party following the notice period defined within the contract. Except for notice periods, such agreements should also outline key employment terms such as wage or salary, working hours, leave policies and other clauses.
• Fixed-term employment contracts: Fixed-term employment agreements are commonly used for temporary employment, as they always specify the start and end dates of the contract’s effectiveness. In contrast to indefinite contracts, fixed-term contracts end at the conclusion of the agreed-upon term and don’t require any notice periods. Fixed-term contracts should also specify wages, salaries, benefits, working hours, and other important terms. 

2. Casual employment contracts

Casual employment contracts are typically used for on-call work and don’t offer any guarantee of ongoing employment. Workers that are employed using casual agreements are not entitled to any benefits, but they do receive higher hourly rates compared to permanent and fixed-term employees. 

3. Independent contractor agreements

As their name suggests, independent contractor agreements are used by independent contractors who offer their services and expertise to clients and companies. Such agreements also don’t include any taxes and benefits. Instead, they specify terms such as rates, the scope of the project, responsibilities, rights, and similar terms. 

How to hire employees in Australia?

To ensure compliance with the laws and regulations in Australia, it’s necessary to fulfill certain requirements when conducting business. This involves establishing a legal entity, acquiring a tax identification number, and other administrative procedures. 

Employers in Australia are also obligated to adhere to the statutory minimum wage and provide eligible employees with the applicable benefits. Additionally, it’s also important to follow the relevant employment laws and regulations, as well as the specific industry standards.

Companies that want to skip navigating through complex compliance systems are advised to engage the services of global recruitment companies like Native Teams. Through our Employer of Record solutions, we will handle various administrative tasks on your behalf, such as payroll, taxation, and HR administration.