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Your work rights and responsibilities

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Monash University

Last checked: 25 Oct 2026 UTC

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Whether you’re a local or international student, you’ll need to understand your rights, entitlements and obligations while working in Australia.

Your rights and entitlements

National Employment Standards

The National Employment Standards (NES) are a set of minimum employment entitlements for Australian workers. It covers things like how many hours you can work in a week, superannuation, leave and working on public holidays.

To find out more about these entitlements, visit the Fair Work page on National Employment Standards.

Minimum pay rates

In Australia, your employer must pay you according to the relevant award or enterprise agreement for your job. If no award applies, the National Minimum Wage kicks in.

  • Fair Work pay guides list minimum pay rates for employees in an award.
  • Your payslip must include key info like hours worked, rate of pay, super contributions and tax.

Superannuation (super)

Super is your retirement savings – and yes, it matters now. If you’re eligible, your employer must pay minimum super contributions to your nominated fund as part of Fair Work’s super guarantee.

You can choose your own super fund, or opt for the default super fund (nominated by your employer).

If you’re not sure if your employer is paying your super, check your payslip. It should have details of your super payments.

Learn more:

Protecting your rights

The Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free information, advice and support regarding your pay, conditions and workplace rights and obligations in Australia.

To check your workplace rights:

JobWatch

JobWatch is an independent employment rights and community legal centre which can support you in understanding and exercising your rights at work.

If you suspect that your workplace rights have been breached, you can call JobWatch for free and confidential legal information and referrals.

Your responsibilities

Working while studying

Balancing part-time or casual work with your studies can enhance your skills, expand your network, and support your living expenses. Here's what you need to know:

Work hour limits

Before taking on a job, make sure you're aware of any limits that might apply to your situation – especially if you're receiving government support or hold a student visa.

  • Check your visa conditions through the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Check the rules for your particular payment for Austudy or Abstudy with Centrelink, as what you earn could affect these payments.

Balance work and study

Even if there are no restrictions, working more than 15 hours per week during semester can impact your studies, so try to find a balance that works for you.

Prioritise your study schedule and communicate with employers about your availability.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s a good idea to explore our support services. We can help with your career planning, health and wellbeing, studies, finances and more – discover what’s available using our student service finder.

Taxes

In Australia, tax is collected on wages and salaries by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), who pass this money onto the Government to provide services like healthcare, education, welfare and infrastructure.

Your employer will take tax out of your pay and send it to the ATO. The amount you pay in tax depends on your circumstances. To find out more, see the ATO's page on tax in Australia.

Getting a TFN

A TFN is your personal reference number for tax purposes. It’s a good idea to get a TFN before you start work, otherwise you’ll pay more tax on your income.

It’s free and simple to apply – check out the ATO’s apply for a TFN page for details.

Lodging a tax return

Most people working in Australia need to lodge a tax return before 31 October each year. To find out more about tax returns (including when and how to lodge one), explore the ATO’s information on your tax return.

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