Your work rights and the legal floor in Australia
Awards, enterprise agreements, the National Employment Standards. The minimum wage, superannuation, leave entitlements — and why these apply on every visa, including temporary.
Published 17 May 2026 · Last reviewed 17 May 2026
Most newcomers underestimate two things about Australian work: how strong the legal floor is (you're protected by awards, minimum wages, super, leave entitlements — even as a casual, even on a visa), and how much weight Australian recruiters give to local experience. This is the legal floor.
The National Minimum Wage (as of 1 July 2025)
- From 1 July 2025, the National Minimum Wage increased by 3.5% (Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review). The 2025–26 rate is around $24.95/hr for award- and agreement-free employees — verify the exact figure at https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/minimum-wages
- Casual employees get an additional 25% loading on top, in lieu of paid leave.
- Most jobs are covered by an industry-specific Award (e.g. General Retail Industry Award, Restaurant Industry Award, Professional Employees Award), which sets a higher minimum than the national floor.
The National Employment Standards (NES)
- 38-hour standard working week (plus reasonable additional hours).
- 4 weeks paid annual leave (pro-rata for casuals via the loading).
- 10 days paid personal/carer's leave per year.
- 2 days paid compassionate leave per occasion.
- 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave per year.
- Long service leave — accrued over years, varies by state.
- Parental leave — up to 12 months unpaid (can be extended); paid parental leave from the government is separate.
- 11 paid public holidays.
You are protected by all of this even on a temporary visa. A 482, a student, a working-holiday-maker — same legal floor. The Fair Work Ombudsman will investigate wage theft regardless of your visa status, and you cannot be deported for reporting underpayment. See underpayment and wage theft for what to do if you spot a problem.