Awards are Federal legislation that governs the conditions of your workplace including rates of pay and how often you should be getting meal breaks. You should read and print off a copy of the Award your job is covered by and keep it for reference. Common Awards for student jobs include:

Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010 (cafes, restaurants)

Fast Food Industry Award 2010 (McDonalds, KFC and other Fast Food chains)

General Retail Industry Award 2010 (clothing shops and other retail)

More Awards can be found on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/awards-and-agreements/awards

($23.23 as of 1 July 2023- 30 June 2024 when it will be reviewed again)

This means that if you are 21 years of age or over on the minumum wage you must be paid at least $23.23 if you are part time or full time and $29.04 if you are casual ($23.23 + 25% casual loading). 

The Commission has announced that minimum 'award' wages for all federal awards will increase by 5.75%

Some workplaces will pay above award wages.

To check your pay rates go to:

https://calculate.fairwork.gov.au/

If you’re under 21 you might be paid at a junior rate which is a percentage of the adult wage. Check your Award to see if you are affected by them and check if you are being paid the correct amount. An 18 year old under the General Retail Industry Award 2010 receives 70% of the adult wage rate under junior wages.

• Casual – no minimum hours, casual loading of 25% on top of base pay rate, no sick/holiday leave
• Part time – set weekly hours, sick and holiday leave

It is illegal for your employer to deduct money from your wage for things like money missing from a till or breaking dishes.

Payslips have important information including your rate of pay, how many hours you work in your pay period, how much you were taxed and how much  Superannuation you have been paid. Keep payslips as record of your work and pay; you will need them as evidence if you are ever underpaid and need to make a claim to get your money back.

Superannuation in Australia is compulsory if you are over 18. ( You must also be paid super if you are under 18 years if you work for you more than 30 hours in any week) It is paid into your Super fund by your employer on top of your wages for when you retire. The minimum Super rate in Australia from the 1st July 2022 is 10.5%. Superannuation is calculated on all of your ordinary time earnings. If you have had more than one job, make sure you consolidate into one Super fund to avoid paying more fees.

If you’re asked to do a trial shift for work you still must legally be paid for that time, regardless of whether you end up getting the job.

Unions will protect you and give you advice if anything goes wrong at work. They will also give you the confidence to speak up if you need to approach your boss about increasing wages or addressing health and safety issues. Anyone who tries to intimidate you out of joining a union is breaking the law.

Cash in hand jobs are illegal and exploit young people. They may seem like a good idea since you won’t be paying tax on your wages but for a few extra dollars you give away:

• your employer’s 10.5% contribution to your Superannuation
• any paid sick or annual leave and paid overtime
• any protection from unfair dismissal
• being covered by Workcover in the case of an accident or injury
• any rights if your employer stops paying you or does not pay you on time