Pay and your rights at work
Working conditions
If you’re school-aged (under 16) there are laws to protect you from working in jobs that could be a risk to your health, safety or welfare. They also limit your hours of work so it doesn’t impact your studies.
Getting paid
The amount you get paid depends on your age, type of job and what award or agreement you’re employed under.
You could also be paid penalty rates, overtime and allowances, depending on your job. You shouldn't be paid less than the minimum wage.
The Australian Fair Work Ombudsman provides resources to help you make sure you're being paid correctly:
- Pay calculator for people employed under modern awards
- Apprentice and trainee pay information
- Rules for student placement and unpaid work
Tax, super, and H.E.L.P information for young workers is also available from the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Unfair dismissal
If you think you’ve lost your job unfairly you may be able to make an application for unfair dismissal. If successful, your employer could be penalised, told to pay you compensation and/or told to give you your job back.
In most cases, you must make your application within 14 days of losing your job.
Harassment and bullying
Workplace harassment (sometimes called workplace bullying) is unacceptable and there are things you can do to prevent it from happening in your workplace. You can also report workplace harassment if it's happening to you.
Help with workplace harassment and bullying.
Help and advice
The Fair Work Ombudsman provides workers with free and confidential advice about working conditions, pay, unfair dismissal, superannuation, discrimination, workplace bullying and sexual harassment.
You can ask a question via live chat or phone 13 13 94.
