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All have right to work and earn EVERYONE in Australia has the right to share in and enjoy the Australian lifestyle.This includes the right to work and earn wealth. That wealth helps you to enjoy the pleasure of a free and equal society. You are expected to contribute to and share in Australia's wealth. The government taxes the income that you earn to provide for the common good of all Australians. The government sets laws on wages and work conditions. The laws ensure a fair and just work life. The laws are about the types of legal agreements that define the work relationship between employers and employees. They vary between collective bargaining of unions to individual common law contracts. The agreements determine the amount paid to an employee, the hours worked and conditions such as safety, leave, allowances, training, anti discrimination and more. Australia has a long tradition of strong support for work laws. This makes the work place fair, safe and productive so that both employers and employees earn rewards for their effort. If you do not already have a source of income or a job available, and provided your visa allows it, you will need to look for work. Approval to migrate does not guarantee a job. How to find work Your success in gaining employment depends on a number of factors. The factors include; where you plan to work, economic conditions, your skills, your qualifications and the demand for employees. Employers advertise for employees in many places. They then choose who they want from the people that respond to the advertisement. Qualifications and skills If you have skills or experience in occupations where there are skills shortages, your chances of finding work is improved. Some occupations have special requirements. This could include registration or licensing with a government authority and/or membership of a professional or industry association. The Australian Skills Recognition Information site helps you to find out how you can have your qualifications recognised. Applying for a job When you find a job vacancy that is suitable, the advertisement will tell you how to apply for the position and the name of a person to contact for more details. Your application will usually require:
Before you start work or at the start of a job, there are a few things of which you should be aware. Bank account In most cases you need a bank account to receive your pay. Tax File Number (TFN) This is most important. You need a TFN for your tax file number declaration. TFN Declaration You must complete a TFN declaration for each employer for whom you work. Your employer calculates the tax rate you pay with information you provide on this form. If you do not give your TFN, you will pay the maximum rate of tax. Your employer will give you a TFN declaration to complete. Occupational health, safety and welfare Employers have a duty to protect your health and safety in the work place. When you start a new job, your employer must give you instruction, training and supervision on health and safety matters. Depending on the job you have, your employer will supply you with safety clothing and equipment. Taxation You pay income tax on all money that you earn. Your employer takes tax out of all employees pay and sends it to the tax office. At the end of the financial year (June 30), you receive a statement showing your total pay for the year and the tax paid by you. You use this statement for your tax return. Superannuation This is a special savings system to save money for your older age, when you no longer work. Your employer must contribute to your superannuation as part of your pay. You can choose to contribute to any fund approved by the government. If you already have a superannuation savings fund overseas, there is important information that you can find out about from the tax office. Your rights All employees have rights that the government gives you by putting them into law. The laws also state what rights an employer has. Pay You receive an amount defined by legal agreement. This may be an award, a certified agreement or a contract. Your employer pays the money into your bank account. In some cases with very small business, you can receive your pay in cash. This does not happen often. Your employer must give you detailed advice in writing about your pay and allowances. Working conditions The legal agreement that defines your job includes the agreed working conditions that apply to you. The conditions can cover many aspects of work. They may be more important than the amount of pay you receive. You can seek help to have the conditions explained. You can get help from your union office or you can contact WorkChoices. Hours worked Legal agreement defines the hours worked. Leave Legal agreement defines the leave entitlement. Union membership You are free to decide whether you join a union. Occupational health, safety and welfare You can claim compensation for lost earnings and medical expenses if you are injured at work or travelling for and during work. In some states, coverage extends for injury that occurs travelling to and from work. Law State and federal laws apply to aspects of the workplace such as equal employment opportunity (EEO), dismissal and termination, workplace harassment, and occupational health and safety (OH&S). Employers must obey the law in these matters. You can seek help to resolve a problem of unfairness. Starting your own business The national government provides help and advice to people who wish to start a business. Each state government also assists people wishing to start a business in their state. Support If you do not have a source of income or a job, you still need to support yourself and family while you are looking for work. Help is available from a number of sources for new arrivals. If you have a sponsor, ask them about the support they are willing and able to provide. If you have an 'Assurance of Support', the assurer agreed to support you for your first two years in Australia. You are not eligible for Centrelink benefits until you have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for two years. Age and disability pensions are available to those who have lived here for ten years. If you are a refugee or humanitarian entrant, you do not need to wait two years for social security payments. If you suffer from severe hardship during the two-year waiting period, you may be eligible for a special benefit. Centrelink pays the benefit if the cause of the hardship is from a major change to your life beyond your control. Centrelink does not pay special benefit because you are unable to find a job or if you run out of money. Additional help, through the tax system, may be available to families with children. Centrelink is the agency that delivers social security payments and related services. The Family Assistance Office can help with details about family assistance payments and any exemptions. |
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