This page about your rights and entitlements at work is hosted by NSW Industrial Relations.
We're a NSW Government agency that helps people comply with and understand workplace laws.
For information on building your career and work pathways see Careers NSW.
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Pay, conditions and entitlements
Information from Fair Work Ombudsman about pay, conditions and entitlements in the workplace.
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Safety and wellbeing at work
Learn about safety, bullying and discrimination. Find out how to complain about a workplace incident or hazard in these pages from SafeWork NSW.
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Trainees and apprentices: rights, responsibilities at work
Trainees and apprentices gain practical skills and experience in the workplace while earning a qualification.
Office of the Children’s Guardian
Regulates employment of babies, children and young people as models and actors.
NSW Department of Education
For work outside school holidays, there may be restrictions due to a student’s age and their education.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Regulates employment matters in the federal industrial relations system.
SafeWork NSW
Occupational health and safety, workers compensation and certificates for operators of industrial equipment.
There is no minimum legal age limit for starting work in NSW. Many teenagers start a part-time or casual job while still at school. However you may wish to contact the following organisations for any other restrictions that may apply relating to age.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman regulates employment matters. See Before starting employment on their site for useful advice.
SafeWork NSW
Safework NSW is the agency responsible for work health and safety, workers compensation and certificates for operators of industrial equipment.
NSW Department of Education
If consideration is being given to working at any time other than school holidays:
- Check with the NSW Education website for restrictions that may apply to a student’s age and their education. Or call them on 1300 679 332.
- If you're under the age of 17 and wish to seek full-time work, with the intention of leaving school, talk to the Career Adviser at your school to find out how you can apply to leave school.
There is no such thing as 'unpaid trial work'. It is illegal for your employer not to pay you for any work that you do, even if it is only for a small number of hours.
If this happens to you, contact Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for advice and assistance.
Bullying is unwanted, offensive and frightening behaviour and can come from co-workers, supervisors or customers.
Bullying frequently consists of a series of acts or incidents which, in isolation, appear trivial but, put together, can be devastating. A bully can deny that bullying is occurring when single incidents are involved but cannot do so when there is a series of incidents.
Bullying can involve:
- yelling or abusive language
- laughs or insults because of your lack of experience, appearance, race, religion or sexual preference
- physical abuse – people pushing, poking, hitting or threatening to hurt you.
If you feel bullied:
- tell the person to stop
- keep a diary of events – this will support your allegations of bullying by providing you with clear recall of all the details
- tell your employer, your human resources manager or occupational health and safety representative.
Bullying is against the law.
For anyone under 18 years of age it may also be considered child abuse. If you feel this is happening to you, you can get advice on your particular situation from the NSW Commission for Children and Young People on (02) 9286 7276.
For any worker being bullied or for more information, contact Safework NSW
If you experience discrimination or have concerns please contact the Anti-Discrimination Board on 1800 670 812 for advice and assistance.
Related information
Learn about career pathways and opportunities:
To get work-focused training see:
For more about wellbeing see Mental health at work
Contact NSW Industrial Relations
Important notice - shutdown period: NSW Industrial Relations is unable to respond to enquiries from 21 December 2024 to 5 January 2025. We welcome your enquiries during business hours outside these dates.
Online: Contact us
Phone: 131 628
TTY 1800 555 677
Language assistance: Call TIS 131 450
Post: GPO Box 5341 Sydney NSW 2001