Awards and wages
An award is a legal document that sets out the terms and conditions of employment for a specific industry or job. They define things like minimum wages, overtime, penalty rates and allowances.
Employment Standards
If you work in state or local government in Queensland, the 9 Queensland Employment Standards provide your minimum conditions of employment.
Read more about Queensland Employment Standards.
If you work in the private sector in Queensland, the National Employment Standards (the standards) set out 10 minimum working standards for employees, including:
- a 38 hour week (plus reasonable additional hours)
- 4 weeks paid leave a year
- the right to ask for flexible working arrangements.
The conditions in awards (or enterprise agreements) have to be the same or better than those defined in the standards. Enterprise agreements include specific conditions for one workplace. Modern awards set out minimum conditions for a whole industry or type of job.
Read fact sheets about workplace entitlements.
Modern awards
Modern awards cover most private sector workplaces in Queensland and set out minimum conditions for employees and employers who work in the same industry or occupation.
In the public sector, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission is now working with employer and employee representatives to modernise 80-plus awards.
Find your award
There are more than 100 awards covering various private sector occupations and industries in Australia. To find the modern award covering your private sector job in Queensland:
- use the Find my award tool
- contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.
You can also view details and a full list of all modern awards on the Fair Work Commission's website.
For a Queensland or local government award, search the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission's online awards listing.
What if I don't have an award?
Private sector employees who do not have an award often have an enterprise agreement or registered agreement.
If an award does not apply to your private sector job, the National Employment Standards together with the national minimum wage will form the minimum standards for your employment.
If you are a Queensland or local government employee, contact your human resources team for information about your employment conditions.
Wages
Most private sector wages in Queensland are controlled by modern awards, and will vary from job to job.
For advice about your wages as a Queensland or local government employee, contact your human resources team.
Rates of pay
There are various ways to find the right pay rate for a private sector job, including:
- using the P.A.C.T pay calculator tool
- contacting the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.
The national minimum wage sets out the lowest rate of pay for private sector employees not covered by awards or agreements.
For advice about your wages as a Queensland or local government employee, contact your human resources team.
Additional pay entitlements
Under modern awards, private sector employees may be eligible for extra pay through penalty rates, overtime or allowances.
For advice about your wages as a Queensland or local government employee, contact your human resources team.
Pay slips
Your employer must give you a pay slip each time you are paid.
Check what information should be on your pay slip.
Unpaid wages
If you have been underpaid wages (including tool allowances, penalty wages, unlawful deductions, etc) you can make a claim directly to the Industrial Magistrates Court.
This allows for small claims (maximum claim amounts depend on awards) to be potentially resolved informally via conciliation.