Pay and wages

Minimum wage rates apply to all employees aged 16 and over.

• Minimum wage rates and types
• Minimum wage exemptions for disabled people
• Previous minimum wage rates

All employees are entitled to annual holidays, public holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave, parental leave and other types of leave as long as they meet certain conditions.

• Public holiday pay
• Annual holiday pay
• Cashing-up annual holidays
• Pay-as-you-go annual holiday payments
• Pay for sick, bereavement and family violence leave
• Parental leave payments

There are different types of pay, including wages, salary, commission or piece rates. How and when an employee will be paid should be recorded in the employment agreement.

An allowance is an extra payment on top of the employee’s regular pay for something specific related to their job, for example, travel costs or training. There is no legal requirement for an employer to provide an allowance.

Employers can generally only take money out of employee’s pay (make a deduction) if it is required by law, (such as PAYE tax), they have the employee’s written consent or for overpayments (in specific circumstances).

When and how often an employee is paid, for example, weekly, fortnightly or monthly, varies between workplaces. The employment agreement or a workplace policy should say when payday is.

If employees do not get a payslip or it does not have enough information, they can ask their employer for the information they want.

When an employee stops working for an employer, their last pay must include their final wages, all the holiday pay they’re entitled to, and any other payments owing.