High salaries, economic growth, and quality of life
High economic growth, salaries and quality of life are just some of the factors which contribute to Australia’s appeal as a working location. Workers in Australia can expect fantastic benefits, a great lifestyle, and a variety of options to get established in the country.
It is well-known that expatriates encounter challenges when seeking opportunities in Australia due to the country’s stringent immigration policies. Procorre Global’s Australia PEO is an approved visa sponsor, meaning that we can overcome immigration challenges and assist highly skilled workers on projects in Australia.
Navigate the administrative challenges that come with expanding your business into Australia with Procorre Global as your Australia PEO partner today.
Working in Australia
Working Hours
In Australia, employees can generally work a maximum of 38 hours per week, unless an agreement with their employer to work reasonable additional hours is made. Ordinary daily hours are referred to as ‘the spread of hours’, (for example, between 7am and 7pm).
Any work completed outside of the usual spread of hours can be used by employees to negotiate overtime rates.
Holiday Allowances
Both full-time and part-time employees in Australia are entitled to 4 weeks of annual leave each year. In some circumstances, employees can receive additional pay known as ‘annual leave loading’. While casual employees are not entitled to paid time off, they can negotiate unpaid leave terms with their employer.
Annual leave for employees starts accumulating from the beginning of their employment contract. Paid leave can be taken at any time during the first 12 months of work for any duration of time (including half days and single days).
Employers and their employees must come to an agreement on when annual leave will be taken, and employers may only refuse leave requests if they have reasonable grounds to do so.
Any unused annual leave which has been accumulated by an employee must be paid upon the end of their employment contract. This sum should include any ‘annual leave loading’ payments if applicable.
Sickness Allowances
Australian employees are entitled to sick leave if they are unwell or injured and cannot work. Sick leave may also be taken if an employee has an obligation to care for someone else who is sick or injured.
Australian labour law also provides ‘carer’s leave’, where employees can take time off to care or support an immediate member of their family, or somebody who lives with them. In this instance, the individual must need assistance with an ‘unexpected emergency’.
Sick leave can be taken at any point following the beginning of an employment term. In some circumstances, employers can request evidence to justify why the employee has taken leave (usually in the form of a doctor’s note or statutory declaration).
Employees are entitled to up to 10 days of sick / carer’s leave each year. The specific amount of leave provided is dependent on the amount hours that the employee works each week.
Unused sick leave can be carried over into a following year of employment, however employers don’t usually have to pay employees for unused sick leave at the end of an employment term.
2022 Public Holidays
Australia celebrates a variety of local and national public holidays, in which some employees are not required to work. These include:
- Saturday 1 January - New Year's Day - Australian Capital Territory (ACT); New South Wales (NSW); Northern Territory (NT); Queensland (Q); Victoria (V); Western Australia (WA)
- Monday 3 January - Additional public holiday for New Year's Day - ACT; NSW; NT; Q; South Australia (ST); Tasmania (T); V; WA
- Wednesday 26 January - Australia Day – All territories (ACT; NSW; NT; Q; SA; T; V; WA)
- Monday 14 February - Royal Hobart Regatta - T (only observed in certain areas of the state)
- Monday 7 March - Labour Day – WA
- Monday 14 March - Canberra Day / Adelaide Cup Day (subject to proclamation) / Eight Hours Day – ACT; SA; T; V
- Friday 15 April - Good Friday – All territories
- Saturday 16 April - Easter Saturday – ACT; NSW; NT; Q; SA; V
- Sunday 17 April - Easter Sunday – ACT; NSW; NT; Q; V; WA
- Monday 18 April - Easter Monday – All territories
- Tuesday 19 April - Easter Tuesday - generally Public Service only - T
- Monday 25 April - Anzac Day – All territories
- Monday 2 May - May Day / Labour Day – NT; Q
- Monday 30 May - Reconciliation Day – ACT
- Monday 6 June - Western Australia Day – WA
- Monday 13 June - Queen's Birthday – ACT; NSW; NT; SA; T; V
- Monday 1 August - Picnic Day – NT
- Wednesday 10 August - Royal Queensland Show – Q (Brisbane area only)
- Monday 26 September - Queen's Birthday – WA (Some regional areas in WA hold the Queen's Birthday public holiday on a different date)
- Monday 3 October - Labour Day / Queen's Birthday – ACT; NSW; Q; SA
- Tuesday 1 November - Melbourne Cup – V
- Monday 7 November - Recreation Day – T (all parts of the state which do not observe Royal Hobart Regatta)
- Saturday 24 December - Christmas Eve (from 7pm to 12 midnight) – NT; Q; SA
- Sunday 25 December - Christmas Day – All territories
- Monday 26 December - Boxing Day / Additional public holiday for Christmas Day – All territories
- Tuesday 27 December - Additional public holiday for Christmas Day / Boxing Day/Proclamation Day – All territories
- Saturday 31 December - New Year's Eve (from 7pm to 12 midnight) – NT; SA
Paternal Allowances
Employees are entitled to parental leave when either they give birth, their spouse or partner gives birth, or they adopt a child under 16 years of age.
To qualify for paternal leaves, employees must have worked with the same employer for at least 12 months. During this period, employees can take 12 months of unpaid parental leave and can ask for an extra 12 months if required.
The unpaid parental leave period (up to 12 months) can be shared between both parents, but only 8 weeks leave can be taken at the same time.
10 weeks’ notice must be provided by the employee before they start their parental leave, and the dates must be confirmed at least 4 weeks before the leave begins.
Upon returning to work, employees are entitled to the job they had before taking parental leave. They must return to this job even if another person was completing it while they were away.
Visas
There is a variety of Work Permits for expatriates looking at relocating to Australia. Examples of these include:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa– enables skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to permanently live and work in the country.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa– enables skilled workers who are nominated by their employer in regional Australia to permanently live and work in the country.
- Skilled independent visa– enables invited workers and citizens of New Zealand with necessary skills to permanently live and work anywhere in Australia
- Skilled Nominated visa– enables nominated skilled workers to live and work in Australia as permanent residents.
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa– this is a temporary visa that enables an employer to sponsor a suitable skilled worker. This is only valid when an Australian worker is not available
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa– this is a temporary visa for skilled workers who are looking to live and work in regional Australia.
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa– this is a temporary visa that allows workers to complete short-term, highly-specialized work in the country.
- Temporary Work (International Relations) visa– this is a temporary visa to work in particular circumstances which can improve Australia’s international relations
- Distinguished Talent visa(subclass 858 for applying within Australia or 124 for applying outside of Australia) – this is a permanent visa for people who have a globally recognised outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research.
- In addition to these visas, Australia also has a Business Talent (Permanent) visa. This is specifically designed for establishing or developing a new or existing business in Australia.
- Work visas exist for the following professions:
- skilled workers
- individuals participating in specific activities
- highly specialised workers
- trainees, short-term
- experienced businesspeople
- investors
Cultural Information
Australia’s culture is inspired by its support for equal rights and equal opportunity. The culture of Australia is considered western, however its indigenous people are one of the oldest living civilisations on earth.
Australia’s official language is English, and its people speak a unique strain of the language. Christianity is the dominant religious group, however a variety of religious groups are present throughout the nation.
Impacts from COVID-19
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid flexible working has significantly increased; this has had a positive impact on the economy of Australia.
The nation has had a successful vaccination campaign, with around 95% of its population (aged over 16) being fully vaccinated against the virus.
The Australian Market – Did you know?
- The World Map does little justice for the true size of Australia. In fact, the country itself is almost the size of Europe!
- The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the world’s largest eco-system.
- Australia has one of the most unique wildlife populations in the world, and 90% of its indigenous species can only be found in Australia.
- Despite its reputation for being a tropical paradise, the Australian Alps get more snow than the Swiss Alps!
Australia PEO Services
Australia PEO Services
High economic growth, salaries and quality of life are just some of the factors which contribute to Australia’s appeal as a working location. Workers in Australia can expect fantastic benefits, a great quality of life, and a variety of options to get established in the country.
It is well-known that expatriates encounter challenges when seeking opportunities in Australia due to the country’s stringent immigration policies. Procorre Global’s Australia PEO is an approved visa sponsor, meaning that we can overcome immigration challenges and assist highly skilled workers on projects in Australia.
Navigate the administrative challenges that come with expanding your business into Australia with Procorre Global as your Australia PEO partner today.
Working in Australia
Working Hours
In Australia, employees can generally work a maximum of 38 hours per week, unless an agreement with their employer to work reasonable additional hours is made. Ordinary daily hours are referred to as ‘the spread of hours’, (for example, between 7am and 7pm).
Any work completed outside of the usual spread of hours can be used by employees to negotiate overtime rates.
Holiday Allowances
Both full-time and part-time employees in Australia are entitled to 4 weeks of annual leave each year. In some circumstances, employees can receive additional pay known as ‘annual leave loading’. While casual employees are not entitled to paid time off, they can negotiate unpaid leave terms with their employer.
Annual leave for employees starts accumulating from the beginning of their employment contract. Paid leave can be taken at any time during the first 12 months of work for any duration of time (including half days and single days).
Employers and their employees must come to an agreement on when annual leave will be taken, and employers may only refuse leave requests if they have reasonable grounds to do so.
Any unused annual leave which has been accumulated by an employee must be paid upon the end of their employment contract. This sum should include any ‘annual leave loading’ payments if applicable.
Sickness Allowances
Australian employees are entitled to sick leave if they are unwell or injured and cannot work. Sick leave may also be taken if an employee has an obligation to care for someone else who is sick or injured.
Australian labour law also provides ‘carer’s leave’, where employees can take time off to care or support an immediate member of their family, or somebody who lives with them. In this instance, the individual must need assistance with an ‘unexpected emergency’.
Sick leave can be taken at any point following the beginning of an employment term. In some circumstances, employers can request evidence to justify why the employee has taken leave (usually in the form of a doctor’s note or statutory declaration).
Employees are entitled to up to 10 days of sick / carer’s leave each year. The specific amount of leave provided is dependent on the amount hours that the employee works each week.
Unused sick leave can be carried over into a following year of employment, however employers don’t usually have to pay employees for unused sick leave at the end of an employment term.
2022 Public Holidays
Australia celebrates a variety of local and national public holidays, in which some employees are not required to work. These include:
- Saturday 1 January - New Year's Day - Australian Capital Territory (ACT); New South Wales (NSW); Northern Territory (NT); Queensland (Q); Victoria (V); Western Australia (WA)
- Monday 3 January - Additional public holiday for New Year's Day - ACT; NSW; NT; Q; South Australia (ST); Tasmania (T); V; WA
- Wednesday 26 January - Australia Day – All territories (ACT; NSW; NT; Q; SA; T; V; WA)
- Monday 14 February - Royal Hobart Regatta - T (only observed in certain areas of the state)
- Monday 7 March - Labour Day – WA
- Monday 14 March - Canberra Day / Adelaide Cup Day (subject to proclamation) / Eight Hours Day – ACT; SA; T; V
- Friday 15 April - Good Friday – All territories
- Saturday 16 April - Easter Saturday – ACT; NSW; NT; Q; SA; V
- Sunday 17 April - Easter Sunday – ACT; NSW; NT; Q; V; WA
- Monday 18 April - Easter Monday – All territories
- Tuesday 19 April - Easter Tuesday - generally Public Service only - T
- Monday 25 April - Anzac Day – All territories
- Monday 2 May - May Day / Labour Day – NT; Q
- Monday 30 May - Reconciliation Day – ACT
- Monday 6 June - Western Australia Day – WA
- Monday 13 June - Queen's Birthday – ACT; NSW; NT; SA; T; V
- Monday 1 August - Picnic Day – NT
- Wednesday 10 August - Royal Queensland Show – Q (Brisbane area only)
- Monday 26 September - Queen's Birthday – WA (Some regional areas in WA hold the Queen's Birthday public holiday on a different date)
- Monday 3 October - Labour Day / Queen's Birthday – ACT; NSW; Q; SA
- Tuesday 1 November - Melbourne Cup – V
- Monday 7 November - Recreation Day – T (all parts of the state which do not observe Royal Hobart Regatta)
- Saturday 24 December - Christmas Eve (from 7pm to 12 midnight) – NT; Q; SA
- Sunday 25 December - Christmas Day – All territories
- Monday 26 December - Boxing Day / Additional public holiday for Christmas Day – All territories
- Tuesday 27 December - Additional public holiday for Christmas Day / Boxing Day/Proclamation Day – All territories
- Saturday 31 December - New Year's Eve (from 7pm to 12 midnight) – NT; SA
Paternal Allowances
Employees are entitled to parental leave when either they give birth, their spouse or partner gives birth, or they adopt a child under 16 years of age.
To qualify for paternal leaves, employees must have worked with the same employer for at least 12 months. During this period, employees can take 12 months of unpaid parental leave and can ask for an extra 12 months if required.
The unpaid parental leave period (up to 12 months) can be shared between both parents, but only 8 weeks leave can be taken at the same time.
10 weeks’ notice must be provided by the employee before they start their parental leave, and the dates must be confirmed at least 4 weeks before the leave begins.
Upon returning to work, employees are entitled to the job they had before taking parental leave. They must return to this job even if another person was completing it while they were away.
Visas
There is a variety of Work Permits for expatriates looking at relocating to Australia. Examples of these include:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa– enables skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to permanently live and work in the country.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa– enables skilled workers who are nominated by their employer in regional Australia to permanently live and work in the country.
- Skilled independent visa– enables invited workers and citizens of New Zealand with necessary skills to permanently live and work anywhere in Australia
- Skilled Nominated visa– enables nominated skilled workers to live and work in Australia as permanent residents.
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa– this is a temporary visa that enables an employer to sponsor a suitable skilled worker. This is only valid when an Australian worker is not available
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa– this is a temporary visa for skilled workers who are looking to live and work in regional Australia.
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa– this is a temporary visa that allows workers to complete short-term, highly-specialized work in the country.
- Temporary Work (International Relations) visa– this is a temporary visa to work in particular circumstances which can improve Australia’s international relations
- Distinguished Talent visa(subclass 858 for applying within Australia or 124 for applying outside of Australia) – this is a permanent visa for people who have a globally recognised outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research.
- In addition to these visas, Australia also has a Business Talent (Permanent) visa. This is specifically designed for establishing or developing a new or existing business in Australia.
- Work visas exist for the following professions:
- skilled workers
- individuals participating in specific activities
- highly specialised workers
- trainees, short-term
- experienced businesspeople
- investors
Cultural Information
Australia’s culture is inspired by its support for equal rights and equal opportunity. The culture of Australia is considered western, however its indigenous people are one of the oldest living civilisations on earth.
Australia’s official language is English, and its people speak a unique strain of the language. Christianity is the dominant religious group, however a variety of religious groups are present throughout the nation.
Impacts from COVID-19
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid flexible working has significantly increased; this has had a positive impact on the economy of Australia.
The nation has had a successful vaccination campaign, with around 95% of its population (aged over 16) being fully vaccinated against the virus.
The Australian Market - Did you know?
- The World Map does little justice for the true size of Australia. In fact, the country itself is almost the size of Europe!
- The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the world’s largest eco-system.
- Australia has one of the most unique wildlife populations in the world, and 90% of its indigenous species can only be found in Australia.
- Despite its reputation for being a tropical paradise, the Australian Alps get more snow than the Swiss Alps!
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