
There are rules about what employees get at work, such as what hours they work and how often they have to have a break. These rules can be set out in different places such as an award, registered agreement or an employment contract.
An employee's minimum entitlements are set out in the National Employment Standards (NES). A registered agreement can provide for other entitlements but:
- the entitlements can't be less than what's in the NES
- if an award covers the employee, the entitlements can't be less overall than the award.
Employment contracts also can’t reduce someone’s entitlements under the NES, award or registered agreement.
To find employee pay rates go to Pay and wages or to learn about leave entitlements go to Leave.
To test your knowledge on common employee entitlements such as flexible working arrangements and types of employment, try our Workplace Basics quiz. You'll get feedback and links to helpful resources, as well as a certificate of completion at the end.
In this section...
Awards
Awards set out minimum conditions for employees. Find out which award covers you.
Awards overviewAgreements
Learn about registered agreements, including where to find one and how to make one.
Agreements overviewNational Employment Standards
Learn what the National Employment Standards are, who they apply to and download the:
National Employment Standards overviewContracts
Employment contracts can set out employment conditions - find out more about contracts.
Contracts overviewHours of work, breaks & rosters
Find out about ordinary and overtime hours, breaks and rosters in your industry.
Hours of work, breaks & rosters overviewFlexibility in the workplace
See how employers and employees can make flexible arrangements in the workplace through:
Flexibility in the workplace overviewPerformance in the workplace
Learn about performance management, when employees get warnings and serious misconduct.
Performance in the workplaceProtections at work
Learn what employee rights are protected at work and where to get help, including:
Protections at work overviewWhen businesses change owners
Discover what happens to employee entitlements when a business changes owners.
When businesses change owners overviewIndustrial action & union membership
Explore the role of unions and industrial action in the workplace.
Industrial action & union membership overviewBullying, sexual harassment & discrimination at work
Learn about bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination.
Bullying, sexual harassment & discrimination at work overviewWorkers compensation
Find out what workers compensation is, and who to contact for help about payments.
Workers compensation overview