Getting a job

Know what to expect with pay, tax and superannuation when you get a job. And how to get help if you're not being paid enough.

Getting your first paid job can be a great experience. You’ll earn your own money, plus get some useful experience in customers service and professional colleague relationships.

Your time is valuable, so it’s important to know what you’re entitled to as an employee when it comes to pay and entitlements.

Are you an employee or an independent contractor?

First, it’s important to know whether you’re an employee or an independent contractor.

An employee is a person that’s hired to perform work for a company either on a full-time, part-time, or casual basis in exchange for payment. Employees can be full-time, part-time, casual, day or weekly hire, apprentices or trainees or outworkers.

An independent contractor is a person who works for themselves and provides services to another person or business and isn’t employed by that person or business. Independent contractors usually negotiate their own fees and working arrangements and can work for more than one client at a time. Independent contractors don’t have the same rights and obligations as employees.

Visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website for more information for both employees and independent contractors.

Employee? Know what you're entitled to

Your type of employment affects your pay, conditions and entitlements. If you're not sure whether you are full-time, part-time, casual or something else, ask your boss.

All employees are entitled to minimum working conditions — these are set out in the Fair Work Ombudsman's National Employment Standards.

Things to do when you get a job

Here’s a checklist of important things to organise when you get your first (or subsequent) job.

1. Get a tax file number (TFN) 
2. Check your pay 
3. Set up your super 
4. Get your money sorted 
5. Have a savings mindset 
6. Learn about income tax 

1. Get a tax file number (TFN)

You’ll need a TFN to get your first job. Your TFN is a number assigned to you by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Visit the ATO's website to find out more and apply for a TFN.

2. Check your pay

The business or person you work for (your employer) gives you a pay slip each time you get paid. Your pay slip shows:

• how much you earned for each hour of work
• how much your employer has put into your super account
• any money taken out for tax
• your gross pay (how much you earned before tax)
• your net pay (how much goes into your bank account after tax is taken out)

Check your pay slip to make sure you're getting paid the right amount. If you don't know how much you should be earning, see minimum wages on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

3. Set up your super

Superannuation is money you save for when you retire. Your employer usually must put a minimum of 12% of your pay into a super account for you. This is in addition to your pay.

You get super if you’re an employee. If you're aged under 18, you need to work more than 30 hours in a week.

You may also be entitled to super if you're a contractor — see the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for information about super for contractors.

You can usually choose your own fund. If you don’t, your employer will choose one for you. Find out more about choosing a super fund.

Keep track of your super account by setting up an online login with your super fund, or downloading the super fund’s app. Find out more about how super works.

4. Get your money sorted

When you start working, do a budget to keep on top of your income and expenses. Knowing how much is coming in and going out puts you in control of your money. 

5. Have a savings mindset

Start saving some money — no matter how small the amount you can put aside. This will help you cope with big bills and avoid money problems in future.

To start:

• Open a savings account to start putting a little bit aside.
• Save for an emergency fund to build a safety net for unexpected expenses.

6. Learn about tax

If you're earning an income, you'll probably need to pay income tax. How much you pay depends on how much you earn.

Usually, your employer deducts tax from each pay and sends it to the ATO on your behalf. This is called Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding.

Find out more about how income tax works and how much you'll have to pay.

Red flags to watch out for

Most employers are great and do the right thing. But here are a few warning signs that you might not be getting what you’re entitled to as an employee.

Not getting a pay slip. If you’re not getting a pay slip, it difficult to know whether you’re getting the right amount, and whether your superannuation and tax is being paid. Also check that what’s written on your pay slip matches up with what you’re getting

Being paid cash in hand. While you can be paid with cash rather than money put in your bank account, it should come with a pay slip! The ATO has more information about what to do if you’re being paid cash in hand.  

Not knowing (and getting) entitlements. Among other things your new employer has to give you a Fair Work Information Statement before or soon after you start your job. This has information about your minimum entitlements and conditions of employment.

Get help with pay issues

If your employer isn't paying you enough, or if your work conditions aren't right, or if you simply have some questions, there’s places you can get help.

The Fair Work Ombudsman website has plenty of information for young workers and students.

The ATO also has great information about tax and superannuation, as well as study and training support loans.

Services Australia can link you to tools and services to help you look for work, as well as tips on entering the workforce.