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Before you begin an apprenticeship (and throughout your entire employment) it is vital to make sure that you are familiar with your employer and that you have received all the necessary information regarding your employment. The Fair Work Ombudsman (an Australian government agency) has released a checklist that outlines the essential information and requirements for any employee to be aware of before beginning their work.

Familiarise yourself with these questions to be sure that the conditions of your employment are fair and legal. You should be able to answer ‘’yes’’ to all of the following questions. If you answer ‘’no’’ or are unsure, contact your employer or the Fair Work agency to clarify.

Do I know…

1.) That on 1 January 2010, modern awards and National Employment Standards were introduced?

2.) The full legal name of my employer?

3.) The name of my manager/supervisor?

4.) My job title?

5.) What work I am required to perform?

6.) The name of the award or agreement covering my employment?

Have I…

7.) Completed a tax file number declaration form?

8.) Signed a contract or agreement?

9.) Received a copy of the contract or agreement?

10.) Received a copy of the Fair Work Information Statement if I started work on or after 1 January 2010?

Do I know if I…

11.) Am full time, part time, or casual?

12.) Am permanent or temporary?

13.) Am on probation, and when the probation period ends?

14.) Am working a trial period?

15.) Am paid to attend meetings?

16.) Am paid to get to work early or stay late outside of my official shift hours?

17.) Am being paid for training?

18.) Have to pay for breakages and short tills?

19.) Am required to pay for accidents or insurance when driving my employer’s car?

20.) Am an apprentice or trainee?

21.) Have a registered training contract?

22.) Am being paid superannuation?

Do I…

23.) Wear a uniform?

24.) Pay for the uniform?

25.) Wash the uniform?

26.) Receive a uniform or laundry allowance?

27.) Supply my own tools?

28.) Receive a tool allowance?

29.) Receive a pay slip for every payment received?

Do my pay slips include…

30.) My name?

31.) My employer’s name?

32.) My employer’s ABN (from 1 January 2010)?

33.) The pay period start date, the end date and the payment date?

34.) My rate of pay?

35.) Any loadings and/or penalties

36.) Any payment for overtime?

37.) Any deductions I have agreed to?

38.) Total net and gross amounts?

39.) Any superannuation contributions and the name of superannuation fund?

Do I know my…

40.) Hourly rate of pay before tax?

41.) Casual loading (if applicable)?

42.) Pay cycle (weekly, fortnightly, monthly)?

43.) Payment method (cash, cheque, directly to bank account)?

44.) Start and finish times?

45.) Minimum hours of work each week?

46.) Rostered days and hours?

47.) Meal and break times?

Do I know what to do if:

48.) I am sick and need time off?

49.) I want to go on holidays?

50.) I have to do jury service?

51.) I am hurt or injured at work?

52.) I want to make a complaint about discrimination, bullying or harassment?

53.) I want to take parental leave?

54.) I want to take community service leave?

55.) I want to take compassionate leave?

56.) I want to leave my employment?

57.) I am dismissed?