These are general conditions most workers are entitled to in Australia - you should check your award or agreement for the specific conditions that apply to you.
Getting paid
- You should be paid for all hours you work, including:
- trial shifts or probation periods
- meetings
- training
- opening and closing the business.
- Your employer should pay you at least the legal minimum rate shown in your award or agreement. Your employer can pay you more than the minimum rate, but not less.
- Depending on your age you may be paid a junior rate. In most jobs you will be paid junior rates until you turn 21.
- You should be paid at least once a month and receive a pay slip within one working day of being paid.
- Money can’t generally be taken out of your pay if customers leave without paying, if the cash registers are short, or if you accidentally break something.
- Your employer may pay you in cash, by cheque or bank deposit.
Shifts and holidays
- You should start and finish your shift at the rostered time even if work is busy or quiet, unless you and your employer agree otherwise.
- You should generally get a 30 minute unpaid rest or meal break after five hours work.
- You can say no to working on a public holiday if you have reasonable grounds. What is considered reasonable grounds depends on the kind of work you do, along with your personal circumstances, including family responsibilities, and other relevant factors.
Finishing a job
- If you want to resign from your job you usually have to tell your employer in advance. If you don’t give your employer enough notice they may be able to keep some of your pay to cover the notice period.
- If you are a casual employee your job may be terminated, by you or your employer, at one hour’s notice.