The Australian Unions Support Centre provides free and confidential assistance and information for all workplace issues. We’re here to provide support, regardless of your job or industry. All Support Centre enquiries are 100% confidential.
Phone: 1300 486 466
Email: [email protected]
In the last two years, the union movement has won the biggest changes to workers’ rights in Australia in generations. Now is the time to learn what they are, why they are so important and how to make the most of them.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/new-union-won-rights-at-work-what-you-need-to-know/
New workplace health and safety laws came into effect in 2024, including industrial manslaughter laws and greater support for first responders suffering PTSD.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/workplace-health-and-safety-laws/
From August 26, 2024 (or August 26, 2025 for small businesses), the Fair Work Act will give most employees to the right to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact (or attempted contact) from an employer outside of the working hours – unless such refusal is unreasonable.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/right-to-disconnect/
Reproductive leave is only available at a handful of workplaces in Australia – but union members are working to expand this reach
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/reproductive-leave/
Are you working extra hours with no extra pay? Have your hours suddenly been slashed? This fact sheet answers those questions and more about your roster rights.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/roster-rights/
It happens to everyone: you’re bound to face problems at work at one point or another. This guide is here to help you figure out how to deal with it.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/how-to-make-change-in-your-workplace/
Union delegates can be found in a whole variety of workplaces across the country. Delegates (also known as ‘shop stewards’ or ‘union reps’) are there so you and your workmates are treated fairly and with respect at work.
Workers on the PALM scheme come from nine specific countries to work in Australia on a seasonal or long-term basis.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/pacific-australia-labour-mobility-palm-scheme/
Most of this fact sheet is about seasonal work on and around farms in Australia i.e. horticulture. This work is seasonal because it happens around planting and harvesting cycles and so employers often hire workers on a temporary basis.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/seasonal-farm-work/
From 7th December 2022 all working Australians, across every industry, are more protected against discrimination from their employers.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/workplace-discrimination-law-changes-december-2022/
These new rights empower workers to talk about their wages. That means you can’t get into trouble for talking about your pay or asking your workmates about theirs.
Labour hire is a form of employment in which an employer (“host”) hires a worker from a labour hire agency (“provider”) for a short period of time.
A disciplinary meeting is when your employer requests a meeting to discuss allegations about your performance.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/disciplinary-meetings/
What’s the difference between equal pay and the gender pay gap? How do you find out if you’re being paid less than your male counterparts? We answer these questions and more.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/the-gender-pay-gap-equal-pay/
You may often read or hear that union members earn more than non-members. Here’s why.
This fact sheet covers how unions can make changes in your workplace to help workers experiencing menopause.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/menopause-in-the-workplace/
Menopause affects around half of Australia’s population at some point in their lives and those undergoing menopause will likely do so while they go about their regular working lives.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/perimenopause-and-menopause-symptoms/
This fact sheet outlines the rules for taking 10 days paid Family and Domestic Violence leave
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/
While mosquitos are a problem every summer, the recent arrival of the Japanese encephalitis virus in eastern Australia heightens concerns.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/mosquito-borne-diseases/
Keeping in touch days exist to help employees caring for a new baby or adopted child stay updated with the workplace and their colleagues, refresh their skills and take the pressure off transitioning back to work.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/keeping-in-touch-days/
Union workplaces are safer workplaces. Many of the rights we take for granted were fought for and won by union members, such as workers’ compensation and bans on asbestos.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/safe-and-inclusive-workplaces/
The Federal Government introduced JobKeeper after a hard-fought campaign from the Australian union movement. On March 28, 2021, the Government ended the JobKeeper program, despite many parts of the economy being a long way from recovery.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/jobkeeper-payment/
Modern awards are documents which set minimum employment standards in a specific industry or sector.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/modern-awards/
The Fair Work Commission is the organisation responsible for administering and enforcing the Fair Work Act. It is also Australia’s national workplace relations tribunal.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/fair-work-commission/
Employment contracts can never provide conditions that are worse than those in National Employment Standards or the award or agreement that covers your workplace.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/employment-contracts/
The National Employment Standards (NES) are 12 minimum standards that apply to nearly all employees in Australia.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/the-national-employment-standards/
Most of the time, your employer should give you your final pay within seven days of your last day of work. But this can change depending on the award, agreement or contract that covers your workplace.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is an independent agency of the Federal Government. It provides employers and employees with information about their obligations and rights in the workplace.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/fair-work-ombudsman/
Serious misconduct refers to a significant violation of your terms of employment.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/serious-misconduct/
If your employer acts in a way that leaves you with no real choice but to resign this is known as a forced resignation.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/forced-resignation/
If you want to resign from your job, you need to let your employer know and continue working until the required notice period is completed. You do not need to give a reason for resigning. However, an employer must provide a reason that is fair in the circumstances unless you are not covered by unfair…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/giving-notice-resigning/
How you are employed affects what your entitlements are at work, what responsibilities you have and even how much you can expect to be paid.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/types-of-employment/
Enterprise agreements are deals made between employers and employees and their union about the terms and conditions of their employment.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/enterprise-agreements/
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, originally scheduled to end on September 30, has been extended by the Government for an unspecified period.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/pandemic-leave/
Note: The ‘Dad and Partner Pay’ scheme has concluded for children born or adopted after 1 July 2023. It has been replaced with an expanded Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. New parents in Australia may be able to access both paid and unpaid parental leave. To find out more about your right to access PPL, visit our…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/paternity-leave/
The Federal Government provides new parents in Australia with the Paid Parental Leave scheme. The goal of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) is to provide new parents with a period of time away from work to look after their new child, rest and recuperate. Thanks to a campaign run by union members, Australia’s PPL scheme is improving!…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/parental-leave/
Both sick and carer’s leave (sometimes called personal leave) allow you to take time off work when you need to – without losing income. Like most of your rights at work, these types of leave became law after the union movement campaigned for them and won. You can take this leave if you are unwell,…
An employer can make a role redundant if they: Genuine reasons for redundancy can be because the business has moved to a new location, has restructured or has gone out of business. Redundancy refers to a specific role — not the person who performs it. Your employer cannot make someone redundant and then hire someone…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/redundancy-pay/
Very hot days, storms, bushfires, floods and other forms of extreme weather are very disruptive to all our lives but we usually are given warnings. Weather bureaus predict and issue warnings ahead of storms, rail, hail, heat waves etc. For example, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issues: three-day cyclone outlooks during the cyclone season for…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/natural-disasters-and-workplace-safety/
There is presently no specific universal form of leave to allow employees to be absent from work due to the impact of a natural disaster. If you are affected by a natural disaster, you can apply for annual leave, long service leave or other leave that is available to you. You may also be able…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/leave-entitlements-during-natural-disasters/
Stand downs during a natural disaster In some circumstances, such as during a natural disaster, an employer may have the right to stand down an employee for a period during which the employee cannot be usefully employed. A stand down is when an employer cannot usefully employ a worker because of any stoppage of work…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/natural-disasters-and-stand-downs/
Workplace discrimination occurs when a person, or a group of people, is treated less favourably than another person or group because of their background or particular personal characteristics. Discrimination can occur at any stage of employment – from the interview and hiring process, through to being fired. No matter when it occurs, discrimination is illegal. …
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/workplace-discrimination/
The top priority is to make sure you, or the person you are supporting, feels safe.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/sexual-harassment/
Bullying and harassment harms the physical and mental health of workers. It is a serious health and safety issue that must be managed and prevented by employers. Everyone should feel safe and supported at work. To help protect yourself from this health risk, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what bullying and harassment…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/workplace-bullying-and-harassment/
Work health and safety information about testing for COVID-19
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/testing-for-covid-19/
Workplace health and safety information about ventilation and COVID-19.
Workplace health and safety information about physical distancing and ventilation
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/covid-workplace-risks/
Work health and safety information about managing the risk of COVID-19 and transport and from work.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/transport-to-and-from-work/
Workplace health and safety information about managing the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace and consulting workers.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/consulting-workers/
Workplace health and safety information about privacy at work and COVID-19
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/privacy-at-work/
Workplace health and safety information about managing the risk of COVID-19 and safety gear/personal protective equipment.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/safety-gear-ppe/
Workplace health and safety information about managing the risk of COVID-19 and workplace cleanliness and hygiene
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/workplace-cleanliness-and-hygiene/
Employers and other duty holders (such as property managers/owners) have obligations to ensure the health and safety of workers and others.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/covid-aware-supporting-workers/
Australian Unions answers key questions you may have about the vaccination program and your workers’ rights
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/vaccinations-your-questions-answered/
Employers have a legal responsibility to identify hazards and control risks before they can cause harm. Risk management is the process of: identifying hazards assessing the risk of harm from those hazards introducing controls needed to eliminate or reduce the risk Under the law, employers must eliminate or reduce risks so that workers have the highest level…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/risk-management/
Anybody injured at work has a right to worker’s compensation, including paid leave and compensation for medical costs. This applies to both physical and mental injuries and can occur at the workplace or offsite. Each state and territory has its own worker’s compensation scheme (WorkCover), although if you work for a large national employer, you…
By electing a HSR, workers get more of a say on health and safety issues and receive extra protection under the law.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/health-and-safety-representatives-hsrs/
Under the law, ‘injuries’ means physical or mental injuries, diseases or illnesses. All workplaces should have a clear system of reporting injuries or other health and safety issues. Employers have a responsibility to: keep a register of injuries make it clear to workers how to report and record injuries in the register display information about reporting injuries…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/injury-reporting/
Safe Workplaces Employers have a legal duty to make workplaces safe for everyone. Health and safety risks exist in every workplace, but by following proper health and safety practices and communicating openly with workers, employers can eliminate or reduce these risks. Workers have an important role to play in ensuring their own safety as well….
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/health-and-safety/
Payslips and accurate record keeping are essential to protecting workers from wage theft.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/payslips-and-record-keeping/
Money that is taken out of your pay by your employer before you receive it is known as a deduction. Deductions are only legal if: If you are under 18, one of your parents or your guardian must agree to the deduction in writing – even if the award or agreement allows for them. All…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/deductions-and-overpayment/
Every employer or Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has a duty of care to “ensure the health and safety of their workers and others at the workplace”. This includes ensuring that workers are not exposed to hazardous temperatures. Working in excessively hot weather can be extremely dangerous, and even fatal. Every year, around…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/your-rights-working-in-heat/
All employees are entitled to pay and conditions under the Fair Work Act. In most cases, it is illegal to ask employees to do unpaid work. But there are some circumstances where unpaid work is allowed under the law. This includes: A vocational placement as part of an education or training course Undertaking work placements…
Leave loading is an extra payment given on top of annual leave pay. Also known as holiday loading or annual leave loading.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/leave-loading/
Underpayment means being paid less than what you are entitled to. Depending on where you work, this can mean being paid less than you are entitled to under the relevant Award or agreement, or less than the national minimum wage. Deliberate underpayment is known as wage theft. Underpayment and wage theft are rife across Australian…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/underpayment-and-wage-theft/
Both sick and carer’s leave and compassionate leave allow you to take time off work when you need to – without losing income. Like most of your rights at work, these types of leave became law after the union movement campaigned for them and won. Sick and carer’s leave Sick and carer’s leave, also known…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/sick-and-carers-and-compassionate-leave/
Your long service leave entitlement depends on the state and territory laws where you are employed, or on your Award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/long-service-leave/
Public holidays are government set days of the year where employees can be absent from work for the day, or part of the day. You must still be paid your base rate of pay for this day, unless you are a casual employee. These entitlements form part of the National Employment Standards (NES). Some public holidays can…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/public-holidays/
All workers deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. There are special laws that prevent discrimination on the basis of your gender, race, cultural or religious background. And, under Fair Work laws, all workers who have served a qualifying period are legally protected from being sacked unfairly. Changes to permanent contracts should happen through…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/unfair-dismissal-discrimination-and-redundancy/
All workers have a right to a safe and healthy work environment. Unsafe working conditions can lead to serious health complications for workers and even workers’ deaths. Unions take safety at work very seriously. One of the central functions of unions is to advocate for workers’ safety to businesses and the Government and to assist…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/unsafe-work-and-bullying/
Annual leave, also known as holiday pay, allows you to be paid while you take time off work. Annual leave became standard in 1970 after a hard-fought union campaign! Full-time, permanent employees have the right to four weeks of annual leave. If you work part-time you are entitled to the same amount of leave, proportionate…
Penalty rates and allowances are extra payments made on top of your regular wage. They are intended to make sure that you are being compensated for working at inconvenient times or under dangerous or unpleasant conditions. There are many different reasons why you might be entitled to be paid either penalty rates, allowances, or both….
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/penalty-rates-and-allowances/
About Industrial Action in Australia Industrial action is action taken by a worker to try and improve their wages and conditions. Some examples include strike and work-stoppages, go-slows or protests. Industrial action has been an important tool for workers throughout history, but currently in Australia there are strict rules around the types of industrial action…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/industrial-action/
Maternity leave is formally known as parental leave. To find out more about your right to access PPL, visit our Paid Parental Leave factsheet. Maternity leave became standard in 1979 after a long union campaign. Now known as parental leave, the union movement continues to campaign to protect and extend the rights of employees who are having or adopting a…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/maternity-leave/
As of the 1 July 2024 the minimum wage is $24.10 per hour. Did you know that union members are the biggest reason that the minimum wage goes up, and why Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world?
In Australia, there are more than two million workers employed casually. As a casual employee, your employer does not have to provide you with regular hours or ongoing work. You are also meant to have the right to refuse shifts. Casual workers are entitled to some, but not all, of the benefits that permanent workers…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/casual-workers/
The gender pay gap now at its lowest point ever at 11.5%. If we continue to progress as we are, the gender pay gap in Australia could close completely within nine years.
In Australia, your rights as a worker can differ when it comes to your type of employment, especially when it comes to your health and safety, job security, wages and entitlements on the job.