An employee may be entitled to an extra payment called an allowance where they:
- undertake certain tasks
- have a particular skill
- work in unpleasant or hazardous conditions
- provide their own tools to perform their work.
These payments apply in addition to other extra payments (e.g. for working overtime or shift work).
An employee may be entitled to an allowance if they:
- use their own car for work
- wear any special uniform, dress or other clothing that needs to be laundered
- are supervising other staff, for example as a leading hand
- do work that is dirty or dangerous - for example at heights
- are a first aid officer in their workplace.
There are also special allowances for people with disability or with particular qualifications.
Employers and employees should check their modern award or agreement to find out if any allowances apply.
Note: Allowances in modern awards are not covered by the model transitional provisions. Therefore, the allowances under these awards commenced operation on 1 January 2010. For details of your applicable allowances, find your modern award.