Employee Entitlements
An employee’s minimum entitlements are set out in the National Employment Standards (NES) or awards. A registered agreement or employment contract can provide for other entitlements but they cannot be less than what’s stipulated in the NES or the relevant award.
- Awards
- Registered Agreements
- Employment Contracts
- National Employment Standards
- Independent Contractors
Awards
Awards are legal documents that outline the minimum pay rates and conditions of employment.
There are more than 100 industry or occupation awards that cover most people who work in Australia.
For further information or to find the right award visit Fair Work - Awards
Registered Agreements
Enterprise agreements and other registered agreements set out minimum employment conditions and can apply to one business or a group of businesses.
When a workplace has a registered agreement an award does not apply to that workplace.
Registered agreements apply until they are terminated or replaced.
More information about Registered Agreements can be found at: Fair Work - Agreements
Employment Contracts
An employment contract is an agreement between an employer and employee that sets out terms and conditions of employment. A contract can be in writing or verbal. It cannot provide for less than the legal minimum entitlements set out in the National Employment Standards, or awards, or enterprise agreements or other registered agreements that may apply.
More information about Employment Contracts can be found at: Fair Work - Employment Contracts
National Employment Standards
The National Employment Standards (NES) are 10 minimum employment entitlements that have to be provided to all employees. An award, employment contract or registered agreement cannot contain provisions that are less than the national minimum wage or NES.
More information about the National Employment Standards can be found at: Fair Work - National Employment Standards
Independent Contractors
Independent contractors run their own business. They usually negotiate their own fees and working arrangements and can work for more than one client at a time.
Independent contractors have different obligations and rights to employees because they are running their own business. Independent contractors - Fair Work Ombudsman