People Matters - with HR Central

Employee Record Keeping

Compliance matters – but it doesn’t need to slow your operations down. HR Central can help.
 
As an FTMA Member, it's imperative you understand that employee record keeping isn’t optional – it’s a legal requirement. Fair Work Australia sets clear rules around what records employers must keep, and non compliance can result in serious penalties. The good news? Getting it right doesn’t have to be complicated.

Every employer must keep accurate and up to date records for all workers – whether they’re full time, part time, or casual – including apprentices and labor hire workers. These records need to be clear, correct, and readily available if Fair Work comes knocking.

 
Under Fair Work legislation, employers must keep records covering:

•    Employee details (name, start date, employment type and classification)
•    Pay rates, including loadings, penalties, allowances, overtime and shift work
•    Hours worked each day (including start and finish times)
•    Meal and rest breaks taken
•    Leave balances and leave taken
•    Bonuses, incentives and site allowances
•    Superannuation contributions
•    Payslips (issued within one working day of payment)
•    Any agreements affecting pay, such as flexibility arrangements or guarantees of annual earnings.

There are also strict rules on how long records must be kept and how they’re stored. Paper or digital is fine – as long as they’re accurate, readable and accessible if requested by a Fair Work Inspector.

Record keeping is a major focus of Fair Work audits. Incorrect or missing records – even if unintentional – can lead to enforcement action and fines.

Need a hand?

Come and see us at the HR Central booth at the FTMA Conference. We’ll walk you through how we can help you, as an FTMA member, stay compliant behind the scenes – without adding admin to your day.

If you have questions about record keeping, awards, or payroll compliance, contact our experienced HR team:  hr@hrcentral.support/ 1300 717 721

We’ll help you stay compliant, keep Fair Work off your back, and let you focus on getting the job done.