Essential information about entering the world of work.
Congratulations on starting work! While not all types of work come with a guarantee of good pay and conditions, getting a job can be a crucial first step towards financial stability. With a new job comes extra money, responsibilities, and considerations about the future. On this page, we’ve compiled some things to know as you start on this new chapter in life.
Different types of paid work
There are many types of paid work that are recognised by Australian law. Each has different pay and conditions.
📌 If you want to know more about types of work, including your rights and entitlements by law, see our income page.
Fair pay and respectful treatment
Pay and other workplace conditions are usually set by the Fair Work Commission via ‘awards’, which set out the minimum terms (including pay) for employment in each sector of the economy. The Fair Work Commission is the independent government agency that sets the minimum standards for employment and helps with issues in the workplace.
Some workplaces will have an ‘Enterprise Bargaining Agreement’. This is an agreement between employers and employees, who are usually represented by a union, that is approved by the Fair Work Commission.
The role of the Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman can help you understand your rights and responsibilities at work. You can read about their guidelines for pay and wages to get a better understanding of your rights. And if you feel you’ve been unfairly treated at work, call them on 13 13 94 – you might want to do some preparation before you call.
How to check your employer is fairly paying you
If you’re covered by an award, use this calculator to find your workplace’s award and check what you should be paid.
Joining a union
Unions are membership organisations for workers that aim to advocate for improved workplace conditions. Unions also help workers with disputes with employers.
Australian Unions – see what you can expect as a union member
Fair Work Ombudsman – learn what the Ombudsman has to say about membership of unions
The role of unions – find out what unions do and how employers ‘bargain’ with unions
📌 See our income and employment basics page.
Introduction to superannuation
Superannuation is commonly called ‘super’. It’s there to help support you financially when you stop work and retire, or when you’re transitioning into retirement. Think of it like a savings account that you won’t access until later in life.
Understanding super contributions
Any payments made into your super are called ‘contributions’. Employers must pay superannuation on top of the wages you receive. This money is invested in a superannuation fund.
How much do you get?
The government sets the minimum percentage of wages that employers must pay to your super fund by law, though some employers pay above the minimum rate. You can also make your own contributions up to certain annual limits, and these are made on a purely voluntary basis.
Choosing a super fund
Employers must offer eligible employees a choice of super fund and a standard super choice form. When you move to a new job, you can move your existing fund across if you want to. So even if an employer recommends a specific fund to you, you can choose a fund that you prefer.
What to look for in a super fund
Your choice of super fund is up to you, which is empowering in many ways. But it can also be overwhelming. Some general factors to look for in a super fund are:
- performance
- fees
- insurance (there’s optional insurance in super)
- investment options
- other specials and services.
When it comes to performance (how much interest you’re earning), past performance isn’t necessarily a reliable indicator of future performance.
Where to find information
How to compare and choose super – Moneysmart resources on choosing a super fund
YourSuper Tool – the ATO tool to help you choose a fund or switch from your existing fund
Super calculator – find out your super balance at retirement
Managing your super
It’s important to keep track of what’s happening with your super over your working life. Even if you only check it once a year, it could make a big difference to your balance.
Things to check include:
- if you have multiple super funds
- which account your money is in
- how it’s performing over time (interest earned will go up and down over time)
- that your employer is paying your super correctly.
If you are not an employee
When you don’t receive a compulsory super contribution from an employer because you’re either self-employed, a freelancer, or you’re working in ‘gig economy’, a different set of rules apply to you. Generally speaking, you’re not required to make contributions to a super fund – though many people still do so voluntarily to provide for the future.
What you need to know:
- freelancer or sole trader – making super contributions is up to you, it’s completely voluntary
- employed by your own company – the company is required to make super contributions on your behalf, as with all other employees
- contract work – the question of whether super should be paid by the employer is dependant on the nature of the contract
📌 To learn about superannuation in greater detail and, if you’re self-employed, visit the Moneysmart website for tips on growing your super, and see our understanding superannuation page.
Tax requirements
Everyone who has a paid job and earns above a certain amount must pay income tax in Australia.
When you start a job, you’ll be asked to provide a tax file number, and your workplace will pay income tax on your behalf out of your wages. If you’re self-employed or work in the gig economy, you’ll need to work this out yourself.
What is tax used for?
Through money raised in taxes, governments are able to pay for everything that governments do. This includes infrastructure, services like healthcare and schools, funding for institutions like libraries, public broadcasting, government payments like Jobseeker, and national defence.
📌 To learn more about tax, including how to reduce your tax bill or deal with tax debt. see our tax system page.
Centrelink payments
The Australian Government provides income support payments through Centrelink. You can use this tool to learn about your eligibility for payments or go to Services Australia to learn more about the services and support they offer. If you’re continuing to work while receiving Centrelink payments – read about how this could impact you. If you’re receiving Centrelink payments, check the employment income reporting page to see if you need to update your income with Centrelink.
Dealing with Centrelink
Many people find dealing with Centrelink difficult. Applying for payments can be confusing. Most payments are set too low and have overly strict requirements.
📌 See our dealing with Centrelink page.
Dressing for work
In the workplace, you’re often expected to dress the part, even if you have to buy new clothes. The good news is that help is available if you need to buy new clothes. It’s also worth checking out your local Op Shop where good quality second-hand clothes are much more affordable.
| Resource | What to expect |
| Fitted for Work | Helps women in Australia experiencing disadvantages to get and keep work |
| Ready Set | Melbourne-based support, including clothing, coaching, and connection to job vacancies |
| The ‘Ask Izzy’ resource | Find free support services near you, select ‘Everyday things’ to get started |
More information on budgeting for clothes
- To learn more about managing living costs, see our getting help with everyday expenses page.
- To see steps you can take if you’re in a financial crisis and feel overwhelmed by money problems, see our financial crisis page.
Getting to work
You might need to travel to get to work. Wherever we need to go we need some way to get there. Aside from walking, most ways of getting around cost money.
📌 To find out more about dealing with the costs of transport, see our transport page.
This information was last updated on 5 June 2023.
The links and resources in this article have been compiled and reviewed by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. We aren’t responsible for what you’ll find at the links, though we do hope you find the information useful. See our disclaimer if you’d like to know more.
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