National Employment Standards (NES)

The National Employment Standards (NES) are a cornerstone of Australian workplace rights providing a foundation of 12 minimum entitlements for employees. These include maximum weekly hours, requests for flexible working arrangements, casual employment rights, various types of leave (annual, personal, parental, etc.), public holidays, superannuation contributions, notice of termination and redundancy pay and the Fair Work Information Statement. These standards ensure a minimum level of protection for all employees in the national workplace system.

The 12 National Employment Standards

The 12 standards in section 61 of the Fair Work Act are: maximum weekly hours; requests for flexible working arrangements; casual employment, including the employee choice pathway; parental leave; annual leave; personal/carer's leave, compassionate leave and paid family and domestic violence leave; community service leave; long service leave; public holidays; superannuation contributions; notice of termination and redundancy pay; and the Fair Work Information Statement. Awards, agreements and contracts cannot provide less. Superannuation contributions became part of the standards on 1 January 2024.

Read our guide to the National Employment Standards, or book an HR compliance audit.