Full-time employees¶

A full-time employee is someone you take on for ongoing work with a firm commitment to keep going. They usually work an average of about 38 ordinary hours a week. Because the work is ongoing, they get paid leave and notice when the job ends.

Full-time is one of the main employment types in Australia. Knowing what it means helps you set the person up correctly and pay them the right way.

In one line

A full-time employee works ongoing hours — usually about 38 ordinary hours a week — and gets paid leave and notice under the National Employment Standards.

Why this matters¶

The employment type you choose shapes what a person is entitled to. Full-time employees get paid leave and notice, so setting someone up as full-time is a commitment on your side too. Recording the type correctly keeps your pay runs right.

What you will learn¶

What makes an employee full-time
The usual ordinary hours for a full-time employee
That full-time employees get paid leave and notice

Understanding the concept¶

Fair Work describes a full-time employee as someone who has an ongoing job with a firm commitment to keep working, and who can usually expect regular hours each week. A full-time employee usually works an average of about 38 ordinary hours a week.

The National Employment Standards (NES) are the minimum entitlements that apply to employees in the national system. Under the NES, full-time employees are entitled to paid leave — such as paid annual leave and paid sick and carer's leave — and to notice when the employment ends.

The exact hours, pay rates and conditions for a role often come from an award or a registered agreement. An award is a document that sets minimum pay and conditions for an industry or job. Always check the award or agreement that covers your business, and Fair Work, for the specifics that apply to your staff.

For accountants & bookkeepers

"Ordinary hours" are the standard hours agreed for the role, separate from overtime. The NES sets a maximum of 38 ordinary hours a week plus reasonable additional hours. Actual ordinary hours for a role are set by the applicable award or registered agreement.

Example¶

Priya hires Jordan to work in her shop on an ongoing basis, about 38 hours a week across five days. Jordan is a full-time employee. Over time Jordan builds up paid annual leave and paid sick and carer's leave, and if the job ends, notice applies. The exact amounts come from the award that covers the shop.

Common mistakes¶

Assuming full-time just means "works a lot of hours" — the key point is ongoing work with a firm commitment, usually around 38 ordinary hours a week.
Forgetting that full-time employees build up paid leave.
Using one-size-fits-all figures instead of checking the award or agreement that applies.

How this works in myaccountant¶

In the app — when you set up an employee, you record their employment type or basis, such as full-time. That choice flows through to your pay runs and to your STP report to the ATO.

Key points¶

A full-time employee has ongoing work with a firm commitment.
They usually work an average of about 38 ordinary hours a week.
Full-time employees get paid leave under the National Employment Standards.
Notice applies when a full-time job ends.
The exact hours and conditions come from the award or registered agreement.
Check your award and Fair Work for the specifics that apply to your staff.

Learn next¶

General information only — not tax, super or financial advice.

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