How the app works

Learn how the app works and some of its key features.

On this page:

Recording your hours

The Record My Hours app allows users to automatically record when they start and finish work based on their location. Users can also manually record their time at work and fine-tune shift details.

You must enable location services on your device to use the automatic shift recording function. If you don’t want to enable location services, you can still use the manual recording function.

Tip: Troubleshooting automatic shift recording issues

Some device settings can affect the performance of automatic shift recording. If you’re having issues, check:

  • the app is running in the background. For example, check the app hasn’t accidentally been swiped closed
  • the ‘Location, Notifications and Physical Activity’ permissions are enabled and set to ‘Always’ (or the relevant selection on your device)
  • the ‘Pause app activity if unused’ setting is turned off on relevant devices. This can impact the automatic shift recording function if the app has not been opened for a period of time before your shift
  • battery optimisation or battery saver mode (i.e. Low Power Mode) is turned off. There’s a known issue with Google location services which can impact app performance when battery optimisation is used.

Due to some manufacturer’s settings, automatic shift recording won’t work on some Android devices.

iPhone users may also experience issues with automatic shift recording if the app has been backgrounded for an extended period.

Automatic shift recording isn’t suitable for all job types, such as people working in areas with no mobile or Wi-Fi coverage or people who frequently travel for work. Manual recording has been incorporated to cater for this.

Fine-tuning automatically recorded shifts

You can fine-tune your start and or finish times to make sure they reflect the hours you’ve worked. Your timesheet export will show both your automatically recorded starting and finishing times and your adjusted shift times.

Example: Fine-tuning hours

Sam finished her shift at the shop at 5 pm. She stayed in the shop to catch-up with one of her friends and didn’t leave until 5.25 pm. The app automatically recorded her shift finish time as 5.25 pm.

Using the app, Sam fine-tuned her finish time by selecting the most recent shift in the Work Record screen. She changed the finish time to 5pm to ensure she was keeping an accurate record of her hours.

Privacy and data storage

We don’t collect any personal information about you in our app and no app data is recorded or stored centrally by us. Any data recorded by you using the app is your data, and you are responsible for the way it is stored and saved.

We don’t have access to any of your app data. You’re responsible for backing up your data by saving it outside of the app in a safe place you can retrieve it.

For more information, see Record my hours app – Privacy.

Exporting and saving work records

The app allows you to export your work records to your preferred email address or save it somewhere else.

Your work records will be exported in a zip file that includes:

  • timesheets created based on your recorded shifts
  • other employment information that you’ve saved in the app (for example, photos of your employment records that you’re entitled to access).

You can choose to export all your work records, or export work records for a specific job and date range.

Example: Sharing work records

Elijah wants to share his recorded start and finish times for the last month with his manager. This is to help Elijah discuss his hours with his manager.

Elijah works 2 jobs so wanted to export his work records for one specific job and date range. He accesses the Work record screen and makes the relevant selections. He sends the work records to his email and then shares this with his manager.

Importing work records

You can import work records created in earlier versions of the Record My Hours app. Specifically records created:

  • before May 2024 on Android, and
  • before November 2024 on iOS.

To access the import feature, open the app and go to More > Import.

If you're not sure whether your timesheet records are compatible or need help with the process, please email us at app@fwo.gov.au.

App notifications

Notifications are a key feature of the app. They prompt users to undertake tasks such as reviewing and verifying shifts or reminding users to enable access to their location.

These reminders are designed to help users make the most of the app’s features. It also allows users to receive important information about app updates.

If you don’t want to receive these notifications, you can choose to turn off the app notifications in the ‘Notifications’ settings of the app.

Previous app versions

There’s no access to older versions of the app. The current version available on the App Store and Google Play is the only version available for download.

Contact us

If you’d like to give feedback about the app or need help with a technical issue, please email us at: app@fwo.gov.au.

To help us address your concerns and improve your experience with the app, please include the following in your email:

  • your device make and model
  • description of the technical issue
  • if possible, screenshots or a screen recording or video of the issue (file size less than 20 MB).

Tools and resources

Related information