Your minimum pay and conditions may be set by an award, agreement or contract of employment. These are legal documents which set out your employer’s obligations to you and your responsibilities as an employee.
Ask your employer which award or agreement applies to you and your job so you can find out how it affects you. You can also call us or chat online with our 
Live Chat adviser.
If an agreement or an award does not apply, laws in Australia will provide basic minimum pay and conditions.
If you are asked to sign any type of document agreeing to work conditions, make sure you read it very carefully and understand it before you sign. Also keep a copy for your records.
Your award or agreement should tell you things like:
- your minimum rate of pay
- if you are entitled to penalty rates (higher pay rates) for working nights, weekends or public holidays
- the minimum number of hours per shift you can be rostered and paid for
- if you should be paid an allowance for doing certain tasks.
Most people working in Australia are also protected by the National Employment Standards (NES). The NES provide all people working full-time and part-time in the national system with 10 minimum rights and conditions. Many of the NES also apply to casual employees.