Getting paid
Pay slips
Each time employees get paid, a pay slip must contain:
- the name of the employer and employee;
- the classification of the employee;
- the date of payment and the period it covers;
- ordinary hourly rate
- the number of hours worked and the amount paid at that rate
- gross and net pay;
- any amounts paid that are bonuses, loadings, allowances or penalty rates;
- superannuation contributions (if any) and the name of the superannuation fund.
Getting paid "cash-in-hand"
(This information applies to working in a company or business. When working in a private household, it is usual to be paid cash in hand and records should be kept of your hours and pay)
Cash-in-hand work is common in many casual jobs. Cash-in-hand refers to an employment arrangement where the employer does not declare you as an employee.
Problems with getting paid cash in hand:
- You may not be covered by WorkCover if you are injured at work.
- If you do not declare income, you and your employer may be fined by the Australian Taxation Office.
- Your employer might attempt to avoid paying you your full entitlements, such as superannuation, sick and annual leave. You might also be paid below the award rate.
- If you are unfairly dismissed, it may be difficult for you to prove that you were employed and therefore reduce your ability to take any legal action against your employer.
- You may have problems getting classified as an independent student if applying for financial assistance from Centrelink, where you need to demonstrate that you have worked for a minimum period of time.
What you can do:
- Keep a record of all money paid to you.
- Keep copies of your timesheets (if you are not provided with timesheets, make a record of the days and times you have worked).
- Declare all earnings to the Australian Taxation Office when you complete your annual tax return.
- Declare all earnings to Centrelink if you are receiving financial assistance.
- Seek advice if your employer refuses to declare you as an employee
Unpaid trial work
It is a common practice in some industries such as Hospitality for an employer to ask a student to do an unpaid trial shift to 'see how you go'. Many students are happy to do this if it means getting the job.
However, a person is legally entitled to be paid for the work they do. According to Job Watch, “only 13% of people who completed an unpaid trial were given a paid job by the employer who asked them to do the unpaid work” (People and Work, Job Watch and Victorian Legal Aid, 2005, p.20).
top of pageTraining wages
A few employers might offer to pay new employees a ‘training wage’ until they learn the job. In most cases, this is not allowed.
If you start a new job and the employer is going to pay you a training or age-related wage, please seek advice on whether this is allowable under the applicable award or agreement. Contact the Workplace Infoline (formerly Wageline and Work Choices line) - 1300 363 264 for advice and assistance.
Commission-only work
It is common for certain jobs in sales (eg. door-to-door sales) to be paid as commission-only. This means you only get paid when you make a sale. Some jobs sound really promising, where you can theoretically earn lots of money each week. Unfortunately, the reality is that people who are inexperienced often do not make very much money at all, and it may take several days or weeks before you make your first sale.
Some commission-only jobs can be very good. However, if you do not have any experience in sales, you are best to look for a job that pays by the hour.
NB: We do not allow commission-only jobs to be advertised on Careers Online.
Independent contracting
- Independent contracting is self-employment where the student needs to obtain an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Under this arrangement the student invoices the employer for the work carried out and is responsible for their own tax, superannuation and workplace injury insurance
- Generally students have less rights as independent contractors
N.B.We do not allow independent contracting jobs to be advertised on Careers Online. An exception may be made if the work includes valuable course related experience.
If you do wish to work as an independent contractor, then please read our page on Becoming self-employed, which has information about setting up your own business.
Superannuation
Superannuation is money invested for your retirement. International students may be more familiar with the term ‘pension fund’. Employers must contribute superannuation payments for all employees who earn $450 or more in a single month. At present, this is an amount equal to 9% of the employee’s gross wage. This payment is made in addition to the wage, not deducted from it. The payments are paid into a superannuation fund on your behalf, which you cannot normally access until you retire. International students may be able to access their superannuation payments upon permanently leaving Australia.
You are not entitled to receive superannuation payments if you are:
- paid less than $450 in a month;
- under 18 years of age and working for not more than 30 hours a week; or
- performing work of a domestic or private nature for not more than 30 hours a week for a non-business employer.