Full-time work in Australia is 38 ordinary hours per week, with overtime governed by awards and enterprise agreements. New migrants are entitled to the same employment rights as Australian citizens from day one.
Working Hours and Employment Rights in Australia
Australia has a well-regulated employment framework that applies equally to citizens, permanent residents, and temporary visa holders. Understanding how it works before you arrive saves confusion and protects you from exploitation.
Standard Working Hours
Full-time employment in Australia is generally 38 ordinary hours per week. Most employees work Monday to Friday, typically 8:00 or 9:00am to 5:00 or 6:00pm — the actual hours vary by employer and industry.
The 38-hour week does not include reasonable additional hours, which many employers expect in salaried professional roles. What constitutes "reasonable" is defined by the relevant award or enterprise agreement, and in practice, many professionals in office environments work 40–50 hours without formal overtime.
For hourly workers, overtime is typically paid at 150% of the ordinary rate for the first two or three hours on any day, and 200% (double time) thereafter.
The Fair Work System
Australia's employment law is governed by the Fair Work Act and administered by the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman. The key elements:
National Minimum Wage: Reviewed annually. From July 2024, the national minimum wage is $24.10 AUD per hour.
Awards: Most industries are covered by a modern award that sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates for evenings, weekends, and public holidays, and conditions for overtime and leave. Award rates are minimums — employers can pay more but not less.
Enterprise Agreements: Some employers operate under enterprise agreements that may provide conditions better than the relevant award.
Leave Entitlements
All full-time employees in Australia are entitled to:
Annual leave: 4 weeks per year (accrues progressively, paid out on termination)
Personal/carer's leave: 10 days per year (sick leave and carer's leave combined)
Compassionate leave: 2 days per bereavement
Public holidays: All gazetted public holidays in your state, paid
Parental leave entitlements are separate and may include government-funded parental leave as well as employer-provided entitlements.
Your Rights as a Visa Holder
Temporary and permanent visa holders in Australia have the same employment rights as Australian citizens. Your employer cannot pay you below the award rate because you are on a visa. The Fair Work Ombudsman takes exploitation of migrant workers seriously and investigates complaints.
If you are on an employer-sponsored visa (482), your conditions of employment must be no less favourable than those of an equivalent Australian worker in the same role.
Complete the assessment below to understand your visa options and plan your move to Australia.