Minimum wage, pay slips, penalty rates, and what to do if you're being underpaid.
Australia has strong workplace protections through the Fair Work Act. Every worker — regardless of visa status — is entitled to the minimum wage, pay slips, and safe working conditions. International students are frequently targeted by unscrupulous employers who assume they won't know their rights or complain. Know your rights before you start work.
The national minimum wage is $24.10 per hour (from July 2024). Most industries have an Award rate that is higher — hospitality, retail and cleaning each have their own award. Visit the Fair Work pay calculator to check the correct rate for your job.
Your employer must give you a pay slip within 1 working day of each pay. It must show your gross and net pay, tax withheld, hours worked, and super contributions. If your employer refuses to give pay slips, this is a serious legal breach.
Working on weekends or public holidays attracts higher pay rates called penalty rates. Saturday is typically 1.25x your hourly rate. Sunday is 1.5x–2x. Public holidays are typically 2.25x. These are legal minimums — your employer cannot opt out of them.
If you are being underpaid, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman. Reports can be made anonymously. The FWO investigates and recovers unpaid wages. They cannot deport you — your immigration status is not shared with Home Affairs.
A reasonable paid trial shift of 1–2 hours is acceptable. Any 'training' or 'trial' that goes beyond this without pay is wage theft. Report it to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
It is illegal for an employer to threaten to report you to immigration authorities as a way of keeping you quiet about underpayment or unsafe conditions. Document and report any such threats immediately.