Unpaid work can include work trials, volunteer work, work experience and internships. It also includes a vocational placement as defined under the Fair Work Act 2009.
Unpaid work is lawful if it is a genuine work experience, vocational placement or volunteering arrangement.
If the work isn’t a genuine vocational placement, work experience or volunteer arrangement, the person may be an employee under the Fair Work Act. Under the Fair Work Act, employees are entitled to minimum rates of pay and workplace conditions provided in the National Employment Standard and any applicable modern award or agreement.
In this section, you’ll find information about some of the types of unpaid work arrangements and problems that can occur.