Australia: Pay and benefits

Original and updating authors: Shana Schreier-Joffe, Dean Tolkin, Lisa Aguilar and Francesca Snyder, Keypoint Law

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Summary

• The pay of employees is governed by their employment contract, subject to the national minimum wage and any applicable modern award or enterprise agreement. (See General)
• Employees must be paid at least monthly in cash, by cheque, money order or postal order, or by an electronic funds transfer (or a combination of these methods) and employers must provide their employees with payslips. (See Payment of wages)
• An employer can deduct sums from an employee's pay only if this is authorised by the employee for their benefit, or if it is allowed by a law or court order, or by an applicable modern award or enterprise agreement. (See Deductions)
• The Fair Work Commission may make orders to ensure equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal or comparable value. (See Equal pay.) Further, new legislative amendments require the Fair Work Commission to establish expert panels for the care and community sector and to improve pay equity.
• Employers must deduct income tax and a Medicare levy from their employees' wages. (See Income tax and social security)
• Employees are generally entitled to 10 days' paid sick leave each year. (See Sick pay)