Employee Benefits in Australia

Employee entitlements and benefits in Australia are governed by the National Employment Standards (NES) and include guidelines about:

• The maximum amount of hours various employees are allowed to work per week

• Retirement contributions

• Public holidays and annual leave, including parental leave and related benefits

• Requests for flexible working arrangements

• Converting casual workers to full employees

• Notices of termination and redundancy pay

• Fair Work Information Statements and Casual Employment Information Statements

 Many employers also offer supplemental benefits, such as private health insurance, professional development opportunities, or wellness programs. A workforce enablement partner like Safeguard Global can advise you on competitive benefit packages for your desired location in Australia as well as your industry.

Tax and social contribution

In Australia, withholding tax is known as Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding. Employers must deduct PAYG from employee salaries based on applicable income tax rates and submit it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Reporting is then done through your business activity statement (BAS) form, as well as through Australia’s Single Touch Payroll (STP) system. How often you need to pay and report to the ATO depends on the number of workers you have and how much you’re withholding.

Additionally, employers must make payment called super guarantee or “super,” which goes towards their workers’ retirements. A fringe benefits tax (FBT) may also be required if the employer is providing benefits like a company car, free parking, or a gym membership.