What are the National Employment Standards?
The National Employment Standards (NES) are a set of 11 minimum employment entitlements guaranteed to all employees in the national workplace system in Australia. Established by the Fair Work Act 2009, the National Employment Standards provide a safety net for employees and applies universally, regardless of the industry, occupation, or job type. These standards cover key aspects of employment, including maximum weekly hours, leave entitlements, public holidays, and termination notices.
The NES, effective from 1 January 2010, form the baseline for employment conditions in Australia. While modern awards and enterprise agreements can offer additional benefits, they cannot provide less than what is provided for in the NES. Additionally, the NES applies differently to award/agreement-free and casual employees. Any terms in agreements made before the NES that are less favourable than the NES are invalid.
This section ensures that all employees, regardless of their specific employment agreement, have access to essential work rights and protections.
What is the purpose of the National Employment Standards?
The purpose of the National Employment Standards (NES) in Australia is to ensure that all employees within the national workplace system are provided with a set of fundamental entitlements. These 11 minimum standards cover aspects of employment, such as hours of work, flexible working arrangements, various types of leave, and more. The NES, in combination with the national minimum wage, establishes the foundational employment conditions for most Australian businesses, serving as a baseline to protect employee rights and promote fair working environments.
What are the 11 National Employment Standards?
Maximum weekly hours
Full-time employees typically work up to 38 hours a week, but they may be required to work reasonable additional hours. The determination of what constitutes 'reasonable' additional hours considers various factors, such as the employee's personal circumstances, workplace needs, any health and safety risks, and the industry norms.
Requests for flexible working arrangements
Employees with at least 12 months of continuous service (including long-term casuals) have the right to request flexible working arrangements. These requests are pertinent in cases like parenting, caregiving, disability, age above 55, or experiencing domestic violence. Employers must genuinely consider these requests and can only refuse them on reasonable business grounds.
Casual conversion
Casual employees, after a period of regular and systematic employment, can request to convert their employment to full-time or part-time. Employers also have an obligation to offer casual conversion in certain circumstances.
Parental leave and related entitlements
Employees are entitled to up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave when a new child is born or adopted. There’s also the option to request an additional 12 months of leave. This entitlement applies to both parents and includes birth, adoption, and surrogacy arrangements.
Annual leave
Full-time employees are entitled to four weeks of paid annual leave per year based on their ordinary hours of work. Part-time employees receive this on a pro-rata basis. Shift workers may be eligible for an additional week of annual leave.
Personal/carer’s and compassionate leave
Employees (other than casuals) get 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave per year, and two days of unpaid carer’s leave and compassionate leave as needed. Casual employees are eligible for unpaid leave. Additionally, all employees, including casuals, have access to five days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave each year.
Community service leave
Employees, including casuals, have the right to community service leave for certain activities like jury duty or voluntary emergency management activities. There's no limit on the amount of community service leave an employee can take.
Long service leave
This entitlement varies across states and territories in Australia but generally allows for extended paid leave for employees who have been with the same employer for a long time.
Public holidays
Employees are entitled to a day off on public holidays. An employer can ask an employee to work on a public holiday, but the employee can refuse the request if it’s not reasonable.
Notice of termination and redundancy pay
The NES prescribes the minimum notice periods employers must give when terminating employment, and redundancy pay employees may be entitled to when their position is made redundant.
Fair Work Information Statement (FWIS) and Casual Employment Information Statement (CEIS)
Employers must provide every new employee with the Fair Work Information Statement and every new casual employee with the Casual Employment Information Statement, which outline essential workplace rights and obligations.
Who do National Employment Standards apply to?
The National Employment Standards (NES) apply to all employees in the Australian workplace relations system, regardless of their award, agreement, or contract. However, it's important to note that only specific National Employment Standards entitlements apply to casual employees.
If any employment agreements were made before 1 January 2010 that offer less generous terms than those outlined in the NES, those terms are considered invalid, ensuring that all employees receive at least the minimum entitlements as set out in the National Employment Standards.
National Employment Standards for casuals
The National Employment Standards for casual employees in Australia define specific entitlements and conditions. While casual employees are not eligible for paid annual or sick leave, they are entitled to unpaid carer’s leave, compassionate leave, family and domestic violence leave, and community service leave.
Employers must provide new casual employees with both a Fair Work Information Statement and a Casual Employment Information Statement (CEIS), outlining their specific rights, including the process for converting from casual to permanent employment. Long-serving casuals may also be eligible for long service leave and other entitlements under certain conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the National Employment Standards?
The National Employment Standards (NES) are 11 minimum employment entitlements in Australia, crucial for ensuring fair work practices and employee welfare.
Who is covered by the National Employment Standards?
The NES apply to all employees in the Australian national workplace relations system, including casuals with specific entitlements.
What are the 11 minimum entitlements of the National Employment Standards?
The NES include maximum weekly hours, various leave entitlements, public holidays, notice of termination, and redundancy pay, among others.
What is the role of the National Employment Standards in employment?
The NES provide a foundational set of rights and protections for employees, underpinning fair and equitable employment conditions.
Do the National Employment Standards apply universally?
Yes, the National Employment Standards apply to all employees, but the extent of entitlements can vary, particularly for casual employees.
What types of leave are covered by the National Employment Standards?
The NES cover annual, personal/carer’s, compassionate, parental, community service, and long service leave, as well as family and domestic violence leave.
How do other documents influence National Employment Standards entitlements?
Modern awards, enterprise agreements, and other contracts can enhance but not reduce the minimum entitlements provided under the NES.
Do casual employees have different National Employment Standards entitlements?
Casual employees are entitled to certain NES benefits like unpaid leave but don't receive paid annual or personal/carer’s leave.