My pay doesn't seem right

You can follow some simple steps to check your pay and resolve most pay problems.

On this page:

Know what you’re getting

First, you need to know what you’re currently getting paid. You can check your:

  • payslips
  • rosters of the hours you’ve worked
  • bank statements
  • employment records.

Tip: Use our Record My Hours app

Employers must keep proper employee records. If they haven’t been keeping appropriate employee records, it can be difficult for an employee, or us, to address concerns about underpayments.

We recommend employees keep a record of their hours, for example in a diary or using our Record My Hours app.

Check what you should be paid

If you think your pay isn’t right, you should check what you should be paid.

Find out if you’re covered by an award or agreement, or if you’re considered to be award and agreement free.

Agreement

If you know your agreement, you can find it on Fair Work Commission – Find an enterprise agreement. You can find your pay and entitlements in your enterprise agreement.

Award

If you know your award, you can get a copy at List of awards. To find your award and your pay rates use our Pay and Conditions Tool.

Employees covered by an award are paid based on their classification. Knowing your award classification can help you find out what you should be paid if there’s an issue. To learn more about award classifications, go to Award classifications.

Award and agreement free

When an employee isn’t covered by an award or agreement, they’re considered to be award and agreement free. These employees are entitled to be paid the National Minimum Wage. For more information, go to Award and agreement free wages and conditions.

Talk to your employer

If you think your pay isn’t right, arrange a time to talk to your employer and show them what you’ve found. This can often be a good opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings about your classification and pay rate.

Bring a support person along if that helps you. Sometimes this can help you remember what to raise with your employer and what is discussed.

Have the information you’ve gathered to show your employer. Stay calm and listen. Be open about what you believe your correct pay rate is and what you think you’re owed. If your employer isn’t sure if there’s been an underpayment, they can contact us to confirm. You may wish to contact us together.

Write some notes during or after the meeting about what was discussed and agreed to.

Tip: Help with difficult conversations

Many workplace issues can be fixed quickly and informally if you discuss them with your employer. We have online courses to help you prepare for difficult conversations.

Follow up after the discussion

Send a follow-up email to your employer and include a summary of the discussion and agreement.

Give your employer time to respond, for example one week. If the agreed underpayment is a large amount, your employer could ask if it can be paid to you in instalments. Work together to come to an agreement and make sure to write it down.

If your employer agrees to pay you the money they owe, acknowledge the agreement and check the correct money is paid into your bank account.

Example: Claiming back pay

Luke is a casual salesperson at a shoe store. He works on weekends but isn’t paid the penalty rates that he’s entitled to under his award. This has been happening for the last 3 months.

Luke arranged to talk to his boss, Steph. He brought along the information and calculations he’d found on our website. Steph didn’t realise that she had to pay Luke penalty rates for working weekends. She discussed with him how she’d pay back the amount owed.

The money was paid into Luke’s bank account the next pay day. Luke sent an email to Steph confirming he’d received the money.

If you need more support

Most workplace problems can be solved without us getting involved, but sometimes this isn’t possible.

We have information to help if your employer:

  • doesn't respond to your attempts to contact them
  • is being unfair or unreasonable
  • doesn’t agree with you about your pay issues
  • agrees with you but needs help to fix the underpayment.

Find out how we can help you at Get our help with your workplace issue.

For help with questions about workplace entitlements and obligations, you can contact us.

There are some situations where we may refer you to seek legal advice. Learn more at Legal help.

Threats to cancel your visa

Only the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) can cancel visas, not your boss. The Australian Government has introduced the Strengthening Reporting Protections Pilot and Workplace Justice Visa Pilot.

Eligible visa holders experiencing workplace exploitation who want to seek help without fear of visa cancellation can learn more about at Visa protections – pilot programs.

Tools and resources

Related information