Is Unpaid Work Legal?

What’s in the eBook?

Australia has one of the most complex and confusing employment law systems in the world. From the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to the National Employment Standards (NES), there’s a lot of information (and acronyms) for business owners to be across. Add in unpaid work, internships and vocational placements, and it’s a lot to digest.

With so many areas of employment to be across, we’ve created this guide to help you understand the legal requirements of hiring in Australia, and help you understand the circumstances where unpaid work may – and may not – be legal. In this guide, we’ll cover:

An introduction to employment in Australia
Is unpaid work lawful in Australia?
What is considered an employment relationship?
Situations where unpaid work may be unlawful
+ lots more.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is current as at 8 June 2022, and has been prepared by Employment Hero Pty Ltd (ABN 11 160 047 709) and its related bodies corporate (Employment Hero). The views expressed in this article are general information only, are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees, and should not be relied on as professional advice. The Information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. Employment Hero does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data and is not liable for any loss or damages arising either directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this article. You should undertake your own research and to seek professional advice before making any decisions or relying on the information in this article. All information is sourced from fairwork.gov.au. If you need more information on unpaid work, call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or speak to an employment law specialist.