Navigating Australia’s Employment System
As a foreign business operating in Australia, you will most likely require employees to manage and execute operations on the ground. Australia has a well-defined system that aims to provide employees with fair and equitable working conditions.
All permanent employees in Australia are entitled to 10 minimum conditions that are defined in National Employment Standards (NES). The NES cover the following areas:
- Maximum Weekly Hours
- Requests for flexible working arrangement
- Parental leave and related entitlements
- Annual leave
- Personal carers leave and compassionate leave
- Community service leave
- Long service leave
- Public holidays
- Notice of termination and redundancy pay
- Entitlement to the Fair Work Information Statement
It is also important to understand that employers in Australia must maintain a safe workplace and are required by law to take out workers’ compensation insurance to cover them in the event of a workplace incident. Each state and territory in Australia have different laws governing workers compensation and may provide advice different.
We can assist in taking out a workers’ compensation policy to ensure the business is meeting its requirements.
Employers in Australia also have a set of payroll, superannuation and employer tax obligations. They are required to pay 9.5% on top of an employee’s salary into their nominated super fund. Exemptions may exist for senior non resident foreign executives and for employees from countries with whom Australia has a bilateral agreement.
Australia has a pay as you go (PAYG) instalments system for making tax payments towards an employees estimated final tax liability. Employers are required to withhold tax from salary and pay this in instalments to the Australian Tax Office.
Crown corporate is able to assist with all payroll requirements which includes drafting employment contracts; preparing payslips; tracking leave entitlements; determining and withholding PAYG and providing superannuation contribution instructions.
Click here to enquire about out payroll and employer services.
