Employee Onboarding Checklist (Australia)

Create a legally compliant Full-Time Employment Agreement for Australia. Drafted in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), the National Employment Standards (NES), and Superannuation Guarantee requirements. Covers position, duties, salary, superannuation at 11.5%, 38-hour week, annual leave (4 weeks), personal/carer's leave (10 days), long service leave, notice periods, probation, confidentiality, and intellectual property assignment.

An Employee Exit Checklist is a structured document used by Australian employers to manage and record all tasks associated with an employee's departure from the organisation — whether by resignation, redundancy, termination, retirement, or end of contract. It ensures the employer meets all legal obligations under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and related legislation, while protecting the organisation's assets, data, and confidential information. What Is an Employee Exit Checklist? An Employee Exit Checklist (also referred to as an offboarding checklist, employee departure checklist, or separation checklist) is a comprehensive record of the steps that must be completed when an employee leaves the organisation. It spans the full offboarding process — from the return of company property and deactivation of IT access through to the calculation and payment of final entitlements under the National Employment Standards (NES), the issue of a separation certificate, and a reminder of ongoing post-employment confidentiality obligations. In Australia, the departure of an employee triggers a range of mandatory legal obligations. Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and applicable Modern Awards, final pay — including wages for all time worked, accrued annual leave, and any redundancy pay or notice in lieu — must generally be paid within seven days of the last day of employment or on the next regular pay day. Under the NES, accrued but untaken annual leave must be paid out on termination regardless of the reason for the employee's departure. Long service leave entitlements and pro-rata payment rights on termination vary by state and territory legislation. Where employment ends by genuine redundancy, redundancy pay under the NES may also be required depending on the employee's length of service and the size of the employer. When Is an Employee Exit Checklist Needed? An Employee Exit Checklist should be used every time an employee leaves the organisation — regardless of the reason for departure. It is particularly valuable in the following circumstances: - When the employer wants to ensure that all company property is returned before the employee's last day, including laptops, mobile phones, keys, access cards, uniforms, and company vehicles; - When the IT department needs to deactivate all system access, email accounts, VPN credentials, and platform memberships promptly and consistently; - When the HR team needs to calculate and process a correct and compliant final pay, including all NES entitlements; - When the employer needs to issue a Separation Certificate to the employee for Services Australia purposes; - When the employer wants to ensure that the departing employee is reminded of their ongoing confidentiality, non-solicitation, and intellectual property obligations; - When the organisation wants to capture feedback through an exit interview to improve the employee experience. A well-completed exit checklist provides a contemporaneous record that all departure tasks were actioned, which can be critical if the former employee later makes a claim relating to underpayment, failure to pay out annual leave, or breach of confidentiality. Key Elements of an Australian Employee Exit Checklist A compliant and effective Australian Employee Exit Checklist should include the following elements: 1. Employee and departure details: Full name, job title, department, state or territory of employment, commencement date, last day of employment, reason for departure, and reporting manager. 2. Return of company property: A checklist covering all employer-issued property including laptop and computer equipment, mobile phone, keys and access cards, uniform and PPE, company vehicle, and corporate credit cards. 3. IT and systems access deactivation: A record that the employee's company email, system logins, VPN access, remote access credentials, and company social media or platform access have all been deactivated on or before the last day of employment. 4. Knowledge transfer and exit interview: A record of whether the employee has completed a handover and whether an exit interview was conducted. 5. Final pay calculation: A summary of all final pay items including outstanding wages, accrued annual leave (mandatory under the NES), long service leave entitlements, redundancy pay (if applicable), and notice in lieu. The final pay date should also be recorded. 6. Separation certificate: A record of whether the employee has requested or been issued a Separation Certificate (Services Australia form SU001). 7. Superannuation finalisation: Confirmation that final superannuation contributions at 11.5% of ordinary time earnings will be made by the next SG quarterly due date. 8. Confidentiality reminder: A written reminder to the employee of their post-employment obligations including confidentiality, intellectual property, and any applicable non-solicitation provisions. 9. Sign-off: Signatures by the HR contact, reporting manager, and the departing employee. This template is suitable for use across all Australian states and territories including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory.

A Probation Review Form is a formal written document used by Australian employers to assess an employee's performance and conduct during their probationary period and to record the outcome of that review — whether the employee's employment is confirmed, the probation period is extended, or employment is terminated. A properly documented probation review is a critical element of lawful employment management under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). What Is a Probation Review Form? A Probation Review Form (also referred to as a probationary period assessment, trial period review, or performance appraisal for new employees) is a structured record of a formal review meeting held between an employer and a new employee at or near the end of their agreed probationary period. The form documents the employer's ratings across key performance dimensions — including job knowledge, quality of work, initiative, teamwork and attendance — as well as a structured record of the outcome decision, the reasons for that decision, and any development goals set for the employee going forward. In Australia, probationary periods are not defined in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) by that term, but the Act's concept of the minimum employment period is directly relevant. Under s 382 of the Act, an employee must have completed the minimum employment period before they are eligible to bring an unfair dismissal application to the Fair Work Commission. For employers with 15 or more employees, the minimum employment period is six months. For small business employers (fewer than 15 employees, as defined in s 23 of the Act), the minimum employment period is one year. This means that during the probationary period — provided it aligns with the minimum employment period — an employer has greater flexibility to terminate employment without the risk of an unfair dismissal claim. When Is a Probation Review Form Needed? A Probation Review Form should be used by any Australian employer at the end of a new employee's probationary period as a matter of best practice. It is particularly important in the following situations: - When the employer intends to confirm the employee's ongoing employment and wishes to document that decision on the personnel file; - When the employer has concerns about the employee's performance or conduct and is considering extending the probationary period to allow further time for improvement; - When the employer is considering terminating the employment at or near the end of the minimum employment period, and wishes to document the reasons for that decision; - When the employer's enterprise agreement or Modern Award contains specific requirements about performance review procedures for new employees; - When the organisation's internal HR policy requires a formal probation review to be conducted and documented for all new hires. Even where the employer intends to simply confirm employment, documentation of a probation review is valuable. It establishes a baseline record of performance expectations, creates a record of any development goals or areas for improvement communicated to the employee, and provides a foundation for future performance management if issues arise after the probationary period. Key Elements of an Australian Probation Review Form A compliant and effective Australian Probation Review Form should include the following elements: 1. Employer and employee identification: The full legal name of the employer, ABN, the employee's full name, job title, department, state or territory of employment, commencement date, and the scheduled end date of the probationary period. 2. Structured performance ratings: Objective, criterion-based ratings across key areas of performance such as job knowledge and technical skills, quality and accuracy of work, initiative and problem solving, teamwork and communication, and attendance and punctuality. 3. Narrative assessment: A written summary of the employee's key strengths observed during the probationary period, and a clear, constructive description of any areas that require further improvement. 4. Outcome decision: A clear statement of the review outcome — whether employment is confirmed, the probationary period is extended, or employment is terminated — together with written reasons for that decision. 5. Extended probation details: If the probationary period is being extended, the new end date must be specified and communicated in writing. 6. Development goals: Where employment is confirmed or extended, specific, measurable development goals set for the employee's next review period assist in managing ongoing performance expectations. 7. Employee comments: An opportunity for the employee to record their own comments on the review, promoting procedural fairness and two-way communication. 8. Signatures: Signatures by both the reviewing manager and the employee confirm that the review has been conducted and its outcome communicated. The employee's signature on an acknowledgement section confirms receipt and understanding — not necessarily agreement with every assessment. Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) — Probation and the Minimum Employment Period Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), the minimum employment period under s 382 provides a window during which an employer may terminate employment without exposure to an unfair dismissal claim, provided the termination does not involve a breach of the general protections provisions (s 340) or unlawful termination provisions (s 772). Employers should note that other legal obligations — including anti-discrimination obligations under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), and applicable state and territory anti-discrimination legislation — apply throughout the employment relationship, including during the probationary period. This template is suitable for use across all Australian states and territories including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory, for employers covered by the national workplace relations system.

An Australian Employee Handbook Acknowledgment is a formal document signed by an employee to confirm that they have received, read, and understood the employer's employee handbook (also called a staff handbook or policies and procedures manual). It creates a written record that the employee was made aware of the employer's workplace policies at a defined point in time, which is valuable evidence for employers if disciplinary or legal proceedings arise. In Australia, the legal framework governing employment is primarily established by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) for employees covered by the national workplace relations system, which covers the vast majority of private sector employees. The Fair Work Act establishes the National Employment Standards (NES), which are the minimum entitlements that apply to all national system employees regardless of any award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract. Key NES entitlements include maximum weekly hours of work, requests for flexible working arrangements, parental leave and related entitlements, annual leave, personal and carer's leave and compassionate leave, community service leave, long service leave, public holidays, notice of termination and redundancy pay, and the Fair Work Information Statement (FWIS). The Fair Work Information Statement is a document prepared by the Fair Work Ombudsman that employers must provide to each new employee before or as soon as practicable after the employee commences employment, under s 125 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). The FWIS sets out information about the NES, modern awards, enterprise agreements, individual flexibility arrangements, the right to request flexible working arrangements, termination of employment, and the roles of the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman. Many employers include a confirmation that the FWIS has been received within the employee handbook acknowledgment form. An employee handbook acknowledgment serves several important practical functions. It establishes a clear record that the employee received the specific version of the handbook on a defined date, which is important when handbook policies are updated over time. It provides evidence that the employee was informed of key workplace policies — including anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies, WHS obligations, confidentiality requirements, and codes of conduct — before the relevant events giving rise to a dispute. In unfair dismissal proceedings before the Fair Work Commission, employers frequently rely on acknowledgment forms to demonstrate that the dismissed employee was aware of the policy they were found to have breached. It is important to note that an employee handbook does not ordinarily form part of the employee's contract of employment unless it is expressly incorporated by reference in the employment contract. Many policies in a handbook, such as disciplinary procedures and bonus schemes, are considered to be policies of general application that may be amended by the employer from time to time, rather than contractual terms. However, certain provisions — particularly those that confer specific entitlements — may acquire contractual force if they are sufficiently certain and are intended to be binding. Employers should be precise in their handbooks about which policies are contractual and which are discretionary. The acknowledgment form should identify the specific version of the handbook being acknowledged, the date of acknowledgment, the employee's name and role, and the format in which the handbook was provided. Employers covered by the Fair Work Act should also confirm that the handbook is consistent with, and does not purport to exclude or reduce, the employee's minimum entitlements under the NES, any applicable Modern Award, or Enterprise Agreement. This acknowledgment form also includes optional sections for confirming receipt of the Fair Work Information Statement, workplace health and safety obligations under s 28 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth), and confidentiality obligations. It is suitable for all types of employees in Australia, including full-time, part-time, casual, and fixed-term employees.

A Performance Review Form is a formal written document used by Australian employers to assess an employee's performance against agreed key performance indicators (KPIs), objectives, and behavioural competencies over a defined review period. It creates a structured, documented record of the employer's assessment, the employee's achievements, areas requiring improvement, and the goals and development plan for the next period — all essential elements of lawful performance management under Australian employment law. What Is a Performance Review Form? A Performance Review Form (also referred to as a performance appraisal form, annual review form, staff performance review, or employee performance evaluation) is a document completed during or after a formal performance review meeting between an employee and their manager. It captures ratings across key performance dimensions, records specific achievements and areas for improvement, sets goals and a development plan for the next review period, and provides an opportunity for the employee to record their own self-assessment and comments. In Australia, fair and documented performance management is closely linked to the procedural fairness requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Where an employer is considering dismissing an employee for performance reasons, the employer must be able to demonstrate that the employee was given clear notice of the performance concerns, an adequate opportunity to respond, and a reasonable opportunity to improve before any dismissal decision was made. A properly completed performance review form creates an important contemporaneous record that these requirements have been met. Performance management decisions must also comply with Australian anti-discrimination legislation, including the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth), Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), and applicable state and territory anti-discrimination laws. Performance ratings must be based on observable, work-related behaviours and outcomes — not on personal characteristics, protected attributes, or the exercise of a workplace right. When Is a Performance Review Form Needed? A Performance Review Form should be used by any Australian employer that conducts formal performance reviews of its employees. It is particularly important in the following circumstances: - When conducting annual, mid-year or quarterly performance reviews as part of the organisation's standard HR cycle; - When an employee's performance or conduct has been identified as below expectations and the employer wants to document concerns and set an improvement plan; - When an employee is being considered for a promotion, salary increase, or additional responsibilities, and the employer wants to document the basis for that decision; - When the employer's enterprise agreement or Modern Award contains requirements about performance review processes; - When the employer wants to create a clear, documented record of performance expectations, achievements, and agreed goals that can be retained on the employee's personnel file. Key Elements of an Australian Performance Review Form A compliant and effective Australian Performance Review Form should include the following elements: 1. Employer, employee, and reviewer details: The full legal name of the employer, ABN, the employee's full name, job title, department, state or territory of employment, commencement date, the reviewer's name and title, and the type and dates of the review. 2. Review period and type: A clear statement of the period being assessed and the type of review being conducted (annual, mid-year, post-probation, or performance improvement). 3. KPI and target achievement: A detailed record of the specific KPIs, targets, and objectives set at the beginning of the review period, together with the actual results achieved against each. 4. Performance ratings: Objective, criterion-referenced ratings across key dimensions including KPI achievement, quality of work, communication, initiative, leadership (if applicable), and attendance. Using a consistent 1-5 scale promotes fairness and comparability. 5. Achievements and areas for improvement: Written assessments of the employee's key achievements and specific, constructive areas requiring improvement, based on observable evidence. 6. Review outcome: A clear statement of the outcome of the review, including whether a performance improvement plan is required. 7. Development plan and goals: Specific, measurable performance goals and professional development activities for the next review period, together with the employer's commitments to support the employee. 8. Employee self-assessment: An opportunity for the employee to record their own reflections and comments on the review, promoting procedural fairness and two-way communication. 9. Signatures: Signatures by both the reviewing manager and the employee confirm that the review was conducted and communicated. This template is suitable for use across all Australian states and territories including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory.