Alternative employment

Employment Contracts

Visa Holders and Migrant Workers

Hiring temporary foreign workers can be a practical decision if your business needs skills that are hard to find in Australia. However, before you can hire someone with a worker’s visa, there are many things you should consider. As an employer, you need to make sure anyone you are thinking of hiring has legal working rights in Australia. Different visa holders have different workers’ visas and working rights. Why should you hire overseas employees? The work environment has undergone rapid transformation in the past 4-5 years in Australia. The demand for skilled workers is increasing and there is a desperate need in industries like aged care, agriculture, healthcare, or construction. Most companies are now turning to foreign workers to fill these positions temporarily. Some visitors to Australia are permitted to work provided they have the right visa. Different types of visas are issued by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs depending on the circumstances. Eligibility Someone can work in Australia if they: Are an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen on a special category of visa. Hold a valid visa with permission to work. Employers can employ or sponsor skilled migrants with overseas passports already in Australia and have a visa to work, or sponsor someone already in Australia on another visa that doesn’t allow them to work provided they have the right skillset. Alternatively, you can sponsor skilled workers to come to Australia to work in your business. Visa holders who are already in Australia may have restrictions on their visas. For example, they may only be allowed to work for one employer for a limited time, or perhaps only work a certain number of hours per week, in a certain place, or doing a particular job. International students for example may be able to get a visa type that allows them to do workplace training subject to restrictions e.g. the visa may only allow them to work a limited number of hours per fortnight. Only Australian citizens, permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens holding Special Category (subclass 444) visas generally have no conditions placed on working in Australia. Permanent residents and New Zealand Citizens may not be able to hold certain Federal Government positions. Hiring overseas employees in Australia As an employer, you have a legal obligation to make sure that any overseas employee you hire – whether they already live here, or you plan to bring skilled overseas workers into the country – has legal working rights in Australia. If they already live here and are not Australian Citizens, they may be permanent residents or New Zealand Citizens on a special class of visa that allows them to remain in Australia indefinitely. Alternatively, they may have a temporary visa that allows them to work. You can check their visa conditions through the Department of Home Affairs’ online verification system Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). In all cases, a worker’s visa holder must have a valid visa the entire time that they are working for you. Remember, all overseas employees you hire are entitled to the same minimum workplace rights and entitlements as Australian workers, including pay rates, overtime and penalty rates, superannuation, and more. Employer-sponsored visas If you can’t find anyone in Australia with the right skills and experience for a job, you may wish to employ a skilled worker currently living overseas by sponsoring them to come to Australia. You can sponsor workers temporarily or permanently, however, there are costs involved which are the employer’s responsibility. Skilled workers must generally be on the Skilled Occupations List, and visa holders can work only for you while you sponsor their visa. When you sponsor migrant workers, you have certain obligations to them and the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, for example, to keep your business details up to date and to make sure the employee is still on a valid visa. Some of these obligations might continue after the visa holder stops working for you. There are several ways to sponsor a skilled migrant worker: Sponsor a skilled worker for permanent migration through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) if your business is in regional Australia. Sponsor a worker on a temporary visa through the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), which allows overseas people to come to Australia to work for up to 4 years. Take over the sponsorship of temporary migrants already in Australia on skilled work visas. Enter a labour agreement that allows you to employ several overseas skilled workers on a permanent or temporary basis by entering a formal labour agreement with the Australian government if the job is not on the Skilled Occupations List. On December 7 2024, the Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa. The purpose of these is to fill certain skill shortages in the labour market, help employers easily find and sponsor suitably skilled workers, and increase accountability for employers. Visa conditions for some categories of sponsored skilled migration visas include an employer obligation to demonstrate they can’t find anyone in Australia suitable for the role. The Department of Home Affairs will be paying particular attention to make sure job opportunities for Australian workers are not impacted by migrant workers coming from overseas. Check workplace rights of visa holders and conditions Under the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994, employers have a legal obligation to ensure non-Australian citizens have a right to work in Australia. Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) is a free-to-use online visa verification platform set up by the Department of Home Affairs. The platform lets visa holders, employers, education providers, and other organisations quickly and easily check the visa conditions of a non-Australian citizen. Below are the following documents you can use to check the visa status of an applicant: Document for Travel to Australia (DFTTA). ImmiCard. Passport. PLO56 (now replaced with ImmiCard). Refugee travel document (Titres de Voyage). Keep in mind that VEVO can only provide information about people who have their details available in the VEVO system. A worker’s details may not be in the VEVO system if they migrated to Australia before 1990 and have not travelled outside the country since. When this happens, you can ask the candidate to apply for an electronic visa record before you hire them. Minimum rights at work All workers in Australia have the same rights and protections at work, regardless of citizenship or visa status. Employers must comply with Australian immigration and workplace law, which for most employers is generally the Fair Work Act 2009, which contains the National Employment Standards and provisions for industrial instruments that set out minimum workplace rights and entitlements for employees. Employers have an obligation to: Pay employees the right rate for all time worked. Provide employees with payslips, superannuation, and taxation documents. Provide a safe workplace. Provide employees with entitlements such as pay rates and leave. Manage foreign employees with ease Hiring foreign employees is a business decision that should be considered seriously. There are different options to hiring foreign employees and you can pick which alternative works best for you and your business. Peninsula has worked with thousands of businesses in Australia, supporting them with employment relations and workplace health and safety resources. The information in the above article has been compiled on the basis of general information current at the time of publication. Please note that the contents of this article and website do not constitute legal advice and are not intended to be a substitute for legal or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Your specific circumstances or changes in circumstances after publication may affect the completeness or accuracy of this information. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any particular matters you or your organisation may have. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions contained in this information or any failure to update or correct this information. It is your responsibility to assess and verify the accuracy, completeness, currency and reliability of the information on this website, and to seek professional advice where necessary. Nothing contained on this website is to be interpreted as a recommendation to use any product, process or formulation or any information on this website. For clarity, Peninsula does not recommend any material, products or services of any third parties.

Employment Contracts

Key Workers

Key workers are major contributors to a business. Typically, key workers possess a certain set of skills, knowledge, or expertise, which no other employee in the company has. They may also play a key role in decision-making and claim partial ownership of the business. For these reasons, retaining key workers is vital to the long-term growth and success of businesses. The term ‘key worker’ is also used to describe an essential service worker. For example, an emergency respondent or an employee involved in the supply, production, or distribution of energy, power, or fuel. What is the role of a key worker? Key workers often have a greater responsibility than other workers. They may hold a high-level position in management, have partial ownership of the company, or contribute to the business in another way that is perceived as highly valuable. As a result, key employees often receive a higher level of compensation, including extra benefits and incentives. Most key employees possess a unique set of skills and knowledge, which is usually acquired from further education like a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, postgraduate, or MBA (Master of Business Associates). There are top-level positions that are obtained purely based on experience. The value of a key worker comes down to the degree of impact they’ve had on your business. Below are a few questions to guide employers in determining the key worker’s impact on the business: Have sales increased since they were brought on board? Has there been substantial market growth? Was there a positive impact on company morale and productivity? What is a Restraint of Trade? Losing a key worker can be difficult for a business. To minimise loss, it is common for a business to add a restraint clause in the worker’s terms of employment. For example, the key worker may have to give longer notice than usual, or they may be restricted from working for a competitor in the same industry. The purpose of a restraint clause is to impose certain restrictions on an employee after they leave the business. This is usually done for several reasons: Prevent disclosure of trade secrets Prevent a former employee from poaching clients from your business Prevent a former employee from directly competing with your company Protect your intellectual property The terms of the restraint clause have to be reasonable. Employers are generally allowed to include terms which are in place for the purpose of protecting the business. If the terms go beyond that, the courts may deem the clause as not enforceable. Given the complexities of a restraint clause, it is advisable to get a legal perspective on the document. A workplace relations expert will be able to detect nuances within the clause and provide insight into whether the courts may find the clause reason and enforceable. What are employee retention strategies? Many employers offer financial incentives and bonuses to retain key employees. While this may be effective in the short-term, money is not always the best retention technique. Below are some alternative techniques, steps and methods that employers can adopt: Know your key players- Take the time to perform individual assessments of your top players. Which of these employees would have the biggest impact on the business if they were to leave? Once they have been identified, they should be paid close attention to. Identify their core strengths- Are the key employees working at their full potential? There are instances where the best workers are constrained by their own roles. Review job descriptions of star players and note potential areas where their valuable contributions could be channelled. Encourage feedback and new ideas- It is necessary that employees have a voice. This can be achieved by having a system in place that makes it easy for employees to provide honest feedback and share new ideas. This will foster a cohesive work environment, making employees feel like a valued part of the business. Beyond compensation- Key employees should understand pay structures clearly and without ambiguity. This includes how much they earn, when they are paid, and the details of other bonuses and incentives. Refer to the current market value rates to determine the best salary package for your key workers. Frequent recognition- While greater financial support and bonuses helps to a certain degree to retain key employees, it should not be used as a replacement for regular feedback and recognition. Demonstrating appreciation brings rise to a strong sense of pride and accomplishment. Know your obligations Peninsula offers complete HR support and guidance for Australian businesses and employers. We work extensively with owners, employers, and managers to provide guidance on vital topics such as recruitment, performance, termination, and dismissal. Call us on 1300 761 935 to find out how we can help you.

Employment Contracts

An employment contract is a written agreement between an employer and the employee. It sets out enforceable terms and conditions that govern the employment relationship. Although the employment agreement does not have to be in writing, ideally it will be. An employee contract must provide for at least the same minimum terms and conditions and wages set by the National Employment Standards (NES) contained in the Fair Work Act 2009 or the relevant award, enterprise or other registered agreement. Both the employer and employee must agree to any changes to the employment contract. What to Include in An Employment Contract An employment contract is the most effective way to codify the terms and conditions of the employment relationship. It should outline fundamental aspects of the employment relationship including employment status, particularly if the employee is engaged as a part-time or casual basis, remuneration and obligations. Setting out the conditions of employment in writing is likely to reduce the risk of misunderstanding or confusion. When drafting a letter offering employment together with an employment contract it is useful to have them professionally reviewed to ensure that the terms are sufficiently clear. Doing so will also mitigate the risk of inadvertently incorporating unlawful terms. Although every employment contract is unique and needs to reflect the specific employment relationship between the employer and the employee, there are specific conditions of employment that should be included in an employment agreement, regardless of your company size or industry. You should include the following terms and conditions in your employment contracts: Name and personal details of the employer and the employee Commencement date of employment and probation period (if a permanent employee) Clause referring to employer policies and procedures Clauses referring to essential requirements of the role e.g. Licences, clearances, registrations Type of employment (i.e. full-time, part-time or casual) Place of work and hours of operation of the business Remuneration clause – setting out the method of payment e.g. salary, wage, or piece-rate) and what is included or paid separately e.g. superannuation, loadings, overtime, bonuses, benefits and allowances. Commission is usually set out in a separate scheme. Leave entitlements – the NES provides compulsory minimum standards for various types of leave e.g. annual leave, personal leave, long service leave Clauses protecting employer property and information – e.g. company vehicle, intellectual property Confidentiality agreement making clear what employer information should be kept confidential and setting out the possible consequences of a breach Non-disparagement clause preventing the employee from any action which can reflect negatively on the company Amount of notice required to be given by the employer and employee to end the employment relationship (there are minimum notice periods under the Fair Work Act) Termination conditions including Redundancy Clauses regarding Assignment, Jurisdiction, Severability and Variation of Terms Also consider provisions to deal with potential changes in the employee’s role or their scope of duties (i.e. will the same contract still apply if the employee has to change locations, roles or duties?) and depending on the employee’s position, perhaps clauses preventing them from setting up a similar business close to their former employer for a period of time and/or stealing their clients, though these clauses can be hard to enforce. Types of Employment Contracts Each type of engagement has different benefits and consequences, but it is preferrable that agreements take written form. How to engage workers in a manner that is right for your business will depend on your specific business needs. You should also consider the industry standards of each role and how the arrangement will affect your business financially. Below are the most common types of engaging workers: Full-Time Employment Contracts Full-time employees have ongoing employment and generally work 38 ordinary hours per week or an average of 38 ordinary hours a week. This may vary depending upon whether the relevant employee is covered by an industrial instrument. They are entitled to paid leave and are required to be given notice of termination. Part-Time Employment Contracts Part-time employees have ongoing employment and typically work less than 38 hours a week. They usually work regular hours each week and are entitled to the same minimum employment entitlements as full-time staff. However, the part-time entitlements are on a ‘pro rata’ basis. Casual Employment Contracts Casual employees work for an employer on a demand-only basis. Unlike a permanent agreement, casual employees have no firm commitment in advance of ongoing employment and generally work on an ad hoc basis (so the work hours are irregular). Casual employees are paid for the hours they work, and they can refuse shifts. Casual employees are not entitled to paid sick or annual leave, and their employment can generally be terminated at any time without notice. To compensate, casual employment attracts an hourly loading. Fixed-Term Employment Contracts This is when an employee is hired for a specified period of time or to complete a specific task or project. Typically, the contract ends either when a project is complete or an event has passed (e.g. a peak season). Fixed-term contracts clearly outline the length of the employment period from start to end. Although this type of arrangement is often short-term, fixed-term workers still receive the same entitlements as permanent employees though notice is not required if the employment contract ends at the end of the fixed-term. Independent Contractor Independent contractors are typically self-employed workers who contract their services out to other companies. Contractors negotiate their own fees and working arrangements and they have the freedom to work for multiple employers at once. It’s important for an employer to clearly define whether the person they hire is a permanent employee or independent contractor as there may be risks to the business if the contractor turns out to be an employee. Termination of an Employment Contract An employment contract can be terminated by either the employee (ie through a resignation) or the employer. Regardless of what triggered the termination, the correct procedure must be followed to ensure the process is fair and carried out in accordance with the workplace procedures. Depending on the circumstances, if an employee is dismissed or resigns, they may be entitled to be paid notice, and must be given their final payment, which includes any entitlements owed to them e.g. accrued but untaken annual leave. Make sure you clearly outline the terms relating to ending employment in your employment contract and employee handbook. For more information on Employment Contracts call us for free initial advice on 1300 761 935. Please note this guide is intended to provide general information only and should not be substituted for the advice of a trained employment relations professional. Peninsula accepts no responsibility for employment contracts that are made based on the information provided. If you are unsure about what to include in an employment contract, Peninsula recommends you seek out professional guidance.

Employment Contracts

Enterprise Agreements

An Enterprise Agreement is negotiated between employers, employees and bargaining representatives to establish a fair working wage and conditions of employment. In this comprehensive guide for employers, we explain what an enterprise agreement is, things included in an enterprise agreement, and how the EBA has evolved over the years. Please note that all the information below is general in nature and if you need further information, consult an employment relations professional. Is there a difference between Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and Enterprise Agreements? Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) was an old term prior to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) amending it to Enterprise Agreement (EA). Prior to EBAs were Collective Agreements which were in place before the Fair Work Act 2009. Changes to EBAs The Secure Jobs Better Pay Act, Closing Loopholes Act and Closing Loopholes No.2 Act changed how employers and employees bargain and make agreements. What is an enterprise agreement? An Enterprise Agreement sets out the minimum terms of employment between one or more employers and their employees or a group of their employees. The Agreement may replace any applicable modern awards to act as the base terms and conditions of employment for those employees who are covered by the EA; or it may incorporate certain terms from the relevant parent Award. An Enterprise Agreement (EA) gives employers and employees the freedom to bargain for better wages, greater flexibility and working conditions to suit their individual needs above and beyond a Modern Award or the National Employment Standards (NES). The Fair Work Act 2009 sets out strict rules and guidelines for all parties to follow to ensure the process is fair. This includes guidelines for negotiating, mandatory terms to include, and the requirements to meet the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) approval standards. Enterprise Agreements can benefit employers because they can negotiate for more flexible working arrangements provided employees are better off overall. Likewise, employees can bargain for higher wages and extra benefits the applicable Modern Award may not offer. What are the different types of enterprise agreements? There are three main types of enterprise agreements including single-enterprise agreements, multi-enterprise agreements, and greenfields agreements. An Enterprise Agreement cannot offer overall lesser terms than the Modern Award or national minimum standard. Type of enterprise agreement Definition Single-Enterprise Agreement Made between one or more single interest employers (employers with shared interests i.e. in a common enterprise, joint venture or related corporations, or who are authorised to be single interest employers by the Fair Work Commission) and employees to be covered by the agreement. Multi-Enterprise Agreement Made between one or more employers who may not have a single interest and employees to be covered by the agreement. Greenfields Agreement  Made in relation to a new enterprise before any employees are hired. This agreement can be a single-enterprise or multi-enterprise agreement and is between employers and employee associations or other bargaining representatives (usually a union). Employee-like Collective Agreement They are made between a digital labour platform operator and an organisation that can represent employee-like workers. Road Transport Collective Agreements They are made between a road transport business and an organisation that can represent regulated road transport contractors. Single enterprise agreements Most registered employment agreements are single enterprise agreements. An employer may make single enterprise agreements with its employees. An agreement covers employees when they: Are employees at the time the agreement is made. Start work for the employer after the agreement is made. In some cases, 2 or more employers may make a single enterprise agreement. They must be related employers, which means they are one of the following: A joint venture or a common enterprise. Related body corporate entities. Employers that carry on similar business activities under the same franchise and are franchisees of the same franchisor and/or related bodies corporate of the same franchisor. Multi-enterprise agreements Two or more employers may make a multi-enterprise agreement. The agreement is only with the people who are: Employees at the time the agreement is made AND Employees who will be covered by the agreement. Employers must follow a clear process to make a multi-enterprise agreement. From 27 February 2024, an employer may transition from a supported bargaining agreement or a single interest employer agreement that has not yet passed its nominal expiry date, to a single enterprise agreement. Things to include in an enterprise agreement An Enterprise Agreement covers a range of matters from rates of pay to employment conditions and dispute resolution procedures. The Fair Work Act 2009 requires an Enterprise Agreement to contain the following terms: Coverage term that explains who the agreement covers. Flexibility term that allows an employer and an employee to agree to vary some specific terms of the agreement with employees to suit through an individual flexibility agreement. Consultation term that requires the employer to provide notice and consult with affected employees regarding any major workplace changes. Dispute resolution term that allows the FWC or another independent party to settled disputes concerning matters arising under the agreement. Nominal expiry date of the agreement no longer than four years from the agreement’s approval date. In addition to the mandatory terms, an EA can only contain ‘permitted matters’, which includes terms relating to rates of pay, penalty rates, overtime, allowances, standard hours, annual leave, personal/carer’s leave and deductions from wages. There are certain terms that cannot be included in an EA or EBA, specifically: Discriminatory terms, or terms that otherwise breach the general protections of the Act; Objectionable terms, for example a term that requires or permits breach of the general protections; Terms that are inconsistent with the unfair dismissal provisions of the Act. Terms that are inconsistent with the industrial action provisions of the Act. Terms that are inconsistent with the right of entry provisions of the Act. Terms that are below standards outlined by the NES or Modern Award. What is the difference between an enterprise agreement and a modern award? Like awards, enterprises agreements set out minimum entitlements and employment conditions for your business. An enterprise agreement is negotiated within one or more specific businesses, rather than determined by the Fair Work Commission for an entire industry or occupation. But it still needs Fair Work Commission approval before it can come into effect. Generally, when you have an EA the award doesn’t apply, though some agreements do defer to the award or incorporate award provisions. Enterprise agreements can be tailored to meet the needs of a business or group of businesses and can include provisions regarding various matters, such as rates of pay, employment conditions and dispute resolution processes. The agreement cannot include anything unlawful, for example anything discriminatory. The minimum pay in the agreement still can’t be less than the base rate of pay for the classification under the award, and the National Employment Standards (NES) enshrined in the Fair Work Act will also continue to apply. The employees also need to be “better off overall” than they would have been under the award for the Fair Work Commission to approve the agreement. Enterprise bargaining process Employers, employees and their bargaining representatives are involved in the process of bargaining for a proposed enterprise agreement in good faith. Once an employer decides to initiate the bargaining for an EA, they are required to take all reasonable steps to notify any existing employees who will be covered by the EA of their right to be represented throughout the negotiations. Once the notice of employee representational rights has been issued, negotiations can commence. There are four steps to the bargaining process: Notice of Representational Rights. Commencement of Good Faith Bargaining. Voting and Access Period to the finalised EA. Approval by the Fair Work Commission. Grow your business with Peninsula Peninsula has worked with thousands of businesses in Australia providing expert advice on employment relations and workplace health and safety. We offer access to resources, tools, documents, and software to all our clients. Contact our team to find out how we can help you. This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute as business or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. It does not take into consideration your specific business, industry or circumstances. You should seek legal or other professional advice regarding matters as they relate to you or your business. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Peninsula Group disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions contained in this information or any failure to update or correct this information. It is your responsibility to assess and verify the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of the information in this article.

Employment Contracts

Entitlement to Work

There are thousands of foreign nationals living in Australia. Many arrive for studies and choose to stay on while some arrive with the purpose of migrating permanently. In most of these cases, the individual will need to find employment in Australia. These individuals will need to have the right to work in Australia. The right to work will depend on the visa and its duration and other supporting conditions. As an employer or a business owner, any employee you recruit must have the right and entitlement to work. The right to work is related to the documents employees can provide, thus acting as evidence of entitlement. Remember that as business owners, you are liable if you knowingly employ an illegal worker, knowing they are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and are working without a visa, or in breach of their visa conditions. Before we review the documents required, let’s go through the eligibility of different people in Australia. Eligibility and the right to work in Australia Australian citizens Australian citizens have no restrictions placed on them working in Australia. However, a citizen may have their working rights restricted due to other factors, e.g. criminal history. New Zealand citizens New Zealand citizens do not need to apply for a visa to work in Australia but will usually receive a temporary one when they arrive that allows them to visit, study stay and work in Australia. Some restrictions apply. Permanent residents Like Australian citizens, permanent residents have no restrictions placed on them working in Australia. A permanent resident, again like Australian citizens, may have their working rights restricted due to other factors, e.g. criminal history. Non-citizens with a valid visa Whether or not a prospective or current employee can work in Australia will depend on the conditions of the visa they hold. Further, their visa may restrict the type and hours per week of work they can undertake. There are many different visas in Australia that provide a person with a right to work in Australia. Peninsula recommends you speak to a migration lawyer or agent to find out more about immigration legislation. It is your duty and obligation as an employer to ensure your employees are eligible to work in Australia. For instance, you can use the Australian government department of home affairs website which offers a Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service to check the status of a current or prospective employee’s visa, which will tell you if they are allowed to work and any working conditions that apply. You need to make sure the employee has a valid working visa the entire time that work for you, so check it regularly, especially if their circumstances change. Types of documents considered as proof Each of the following are considered acceptable documentation that allows a person to work in Australia: Australian birth certificate. Australian citizenship certificate. Australian or New Zealand passport. Evidence of permanent residence (ie. overseas passport with VEVO check). Certificate of Status for New Zealand Citizens in Australia and photo identification. Valid visa with permission to work (not all visas allow people to work). Obtain certified copies of any original, acceptable documents or have the original documents certified by someone authorised, like a Justice of the Peace (JP). These should always be on the employee file and be updated if needed or if their circumstances change. Are there any other supporting documentation employers can accept? If the employee provides acceptable documentation but it is not an Australian government-issued form of photo identification, you can ask the employee to provide the following Australian-issued supporting documentation as proof of identity: Driver’s license. Medicare card. Enrolment to vote in Australian state or federal election. Tax File Number (TFN). References from previous employers and employment agencies. Tenancy agreements or home ownership details. Tertiary qualifications and trade certificate. Change of name certificates. These documents alone do not allow a person to legally work in Australia. They must only serve as supporting documentation along with any of the documents mentioned in the Proof of Right to Work section. Otherwise, they will still be considered an illegal worker in Australia. Right to work checks A Right to Work Check is as the name suggests, a check to ensure the employee in question is legally authorised to do their respective job. The check is a very crucial part of employment as an employer can face infringements or civil penalties if they allow an individual to work without the necessary entitlements. Ignorance of the employee’s legal status is not an excuse for employers. A Right to Work Check is beneficial for employees too as it stipulates that all minimum wage, working conditions and fair treatment are applicable to them. The information in the above article has been compiled on the basis of general information current at the time of publication. Please note that the contents of this article and website and any information provided by our Fair Work Help Line do not constitute legal advice and are not intended to be a substitute for legal or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Your specific circumstances or changes in circumstances after publication may affect the completeness or accuracy of this information. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any particular matters you or your organisation may have. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions contained in this information or any failure to update or correct this information. It is your responsibility to assess and verify the accuracy, completeness, currency and reliability of the information on this website, and to seek professional advice where necessary. Nothing contained on this website is to be interpreted as a recommendation to use any product, process or formulation or any information on this website. For clarity, Peninsula does not recommend any material, products or services of any third parties.