Glossary & Acronyms

Employment law terms starting with G: the general protections in the Fair Work Act, gross pay, and the guarantee of annual earnings that can take a high-earning employee outside their award. Plain-English definitions for Australian employers.

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Terms and definitions

General protections

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General protections are a range of rights under the Fair Work Act 2009 that apply to all employees in the national workplace relations system.

Gross pay

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Gross pay is the total earnings of an employee before any taxes and other deductions are applied.

Guarantee of annual earnings

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A written undertaking to pay an award-covered employee more than the high income threshold for 12 months or more, so the award does not apply.

General information only

This content is general information about Australian employment law, current at the date it was last reviewed. It does not take your circumstances into account and is not legal advice. For advice about your situation, call Employment Compass on 1300 144 002.

Last reviewed: October 2026