Global Hirings

August 8, 2023

3 mins

Essential Factors for Successful Hiring in Australia

Australia, a prosperous and advanced nation, boasts the 13th largest economy globally. It stands strong at the 8th position in terms of human development and ranks 10th in per capita income worldwide. The Australian economy thrives on its plentiful natural resources and flourishing international trade, which serve as its fundamental pillars.

Employing in Australia

The Fair Work Act of 2009 serves as the governing legislation for employment and workplace relations in Australia. The Australian labor law framework draws its foundation from:

  • Constitution
  • Federal and state laws
  • Statutory agreements
  • Employment contracts

Employee Contract

The language used in the contract does not specify any specific statutory requirements.

Probation Period

In Australia, the typical probationary period ranges from one to six months.

Payroll Cycle

Employees in Australia receive their wages either bi-weekly, meaning every second week or specifically on the 15th and 30th of each month, or monthly, typically from the 28th to the 30th.

Minimum Wage

As of July 2021, the minimum wage in Australia stands at 20.33 AUD per hour.

Overtime Pay

As a general rule, overtime pay on weekdays in Australia is calculated at 1.5 times the regular pay for the initial 3 hours of overtime. Beyond that, it is calculated at twice the regular pay. On Sundays, the payment rate is twice the regular pay. However, it's important to note that these rates may vary across industries and states.

Bonus
13th Month Pay

Having a 13th month pay is not a mandatory requirement in Australia.

Employee Benefits

  • Medicare
  • Maternity leave
  • Paternity leave
  • Stock options (Common for listed companies)

Taxes

Employer Payroll Tax

Superannuation Guarantee Percentage — 10% (till 2022 July)

Afterwards, for the next one year, the rate will be 10.5%.

Employee Payroll Tax

Employees are obligated to pay a 2% Medicare levy.

VAT

In Australia, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is implemented instead of Value Added Tax (VAT). The standard rate of GST is 10%.

Offboarding & Termination

Termination Process

An employee can resign or be terminated by the employer. The major grounds for termination include:

  • Redundancy(operational changes)
  • Conduct
  • Poor performance

Notice Period

The notice period in Australia varies based on the duration of employment. During the probationary period, it typically ranges from 7 to 30 days. For permanent employees, the notice period can extend from one to twelve weeks.

Severance Pay

Redundancy can impact an employee's job in Australia, leading to considerations regarding redundancy/severance pay based on various employment terms.

Visa and Immigration

Foreign individuals seeking employment opportunities in Australia must apply for a visa through the diverse immigration programs managed by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of Australia.

To address skill shortages and recruit foreign nationals when qualified Australians are unavailable, businesses can make use of the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482). This visa allows foreign nationals to live and work in Australia for a period of 2 years, with the potential to extend it up to 4 years in certain situations.

Newsletter

📬 Receive our amazing posts straight to your inbox. Get the latest news, company insights, and Niural updates.

Thank you! Your message has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong. Please fill in the required fields and try again.

If you're considering hiring employees or contractors in Australia or seeking compliant payroll solutions, reach out to us or book a demo at http://niural.com. For further insights, follow us on Twitter @niuralhq. Make informed decisions and ensure a successful hiring process in Australia!

Request a demo