Getting Ready for Work
How Do You Know How Much You Should Be Paid?
So you’ve got your first job – exciting! One of the best parts of work is having your own money to do with as you please. Of course, we want to believe that employers will do the right thing and follow the rules, and trust that they will pay you the right amount. But if you have some concerns, or are just curious to know, how can you find out how much you should be paid?
How much should you be paid?
The easiest way to find out how much you should be paid is to take a look at the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Calculator. They calculate your pay by using the award for your industry.
Awards are defined by Fair Work as “legal documents that outline the minimum pay rates and conditions of employment. [They] apply to employers and employees depending on the industry they work in and the type of job worked.”
There are over 100 awards in Australia, and they cover pretty much every industry and occupation imaginable. So chances are there is an award that covers you. Using their Pay Calculator, Fair Work can find out which award you’re covered by, then asks a few more questions (whether you work full-time, part-time, or casual, your age, etc.) and uses all this information to give you a minimum pay rate.
For example, say you’re 15 years old and just got your first casual job behind the counter at McDonald’s. If we put this information into the Pay Calculator, we can see that the minimum amount you should be earning hourly is $11.69. You can also view common penalty rates that apply to your award (e.g. rates for public holidays).
Find out more
The Fair Work Ombudsman website is full of heaps of useful information about employment conditions, including leave, entitlements, and info about what to do if something goes wrong.
You can also take a look at more work resources on Study Work Grow.
Some organisations or jobs might request you to submit a video application, or you might decide to break the mould and create a video application of you own.
Here’s some information that you may find useful:
Be prepared
Do your research and write a “script” of what you’d like to say.
Practise
Your video will have most impact if you look confident and natural. Which is going to require practise (the good news is each time you do it, it will feel less alien and cringey).
Ask someone else to listen to you or watch your pre-recordings for tips on how you could come across more professionally and at ease.
Get creative
Don’t just read your resume out line by line – you’ll probably be submitting that along with your video anyway. This is your chance to really showcase your personality and talk in a bit more detail about your strengths.
Have the technical side organised
Decide how you’ll record the video and make sure you know how everything works and that it’s all charged and ready to go.
Know how to edit and submit your video file. Double check the size and length of the video and make sure your email will send the file OK.
Ask for help if you need it from family, friends, or your school IT teacher.
Scout the best location
Choose a quiet, clean, location with a neutral background which looks professional (no piles of laundry or dirty dishes in the background). Good lighting is important, as is a location where you can shut out any unwanted interruptions (siblings, pets, etc).
Look the part
Treat this like an interview as well as an application. First impressions do count, so make sure you look professional, well groomed and smart (even if you have trackie pants and thongs on under the desk).
Things to include
Start with a greeting and a brief introduction about yourself – include your name and the job you’re applying for.
Go on to provide a brief, clear summary of yours qualification, skills, and experience. Explain why you’re interested in the role and why you’ll be a great fit for the role.
Let them know about any relevant achievements, share a few hobbies or interests that could connect with the job or organisation.
Keep it brief and stick to any stated time limit. Be confident and enthusiastic, check your posture and body language, smile and be friendly (but avoid being overly casual or using slang).
Get more help with getting a job
Find out how to get prepared for the world of work, get tips on finding opportunities, acing interviews and more, in the Getting a Job Guide.