Deductions are amounts taken out of an employee’s wages. You can only make deductions from your employees’ wages if it is permitted by their award or enterprise agreement, authorised in writing by the employee or allowed under other legislation (such as tax, child support) or a court order.
You can find more information about deductions on the Permitted deductions page.
Deductions permitted by the Fast Food Award
The Fast Food Award allows deductions for voluntary superannuation contributions. For more information, see clause 21.3 of the Fast Food Award.
Unless it is provided by law, in a court or Fair Work Australia order, authorised by certain industrial instruments or authorised in writing by your employee and is principally for the employee’s benefit, you cannot deduct any amount from your employee’s wages for any other reason e.g. for register shortages or breakages.
Uniforms and property
You cannot charge your employees for the cost of their uniform or take the cost out of their wages. Under the allowances section of the Fast Food Award, you must either provide your employees with any uniform they are required to wear, or reimburse them for the cost of buying the clothing or property. Visit the Allowances section for more information.