You are about to hire your first employee.

It is a good problem to have and a slightly nervous one. You want to do it properly, but the Fair Work rules, awards and superannuation are a lot to take in at once.

The first thing to get right is the contract. It sets pay, hours, leave and notice, and it is the document Fair Work expects both of you to have.

You do not need a $1,200 lawyer for a standard hire. You need a contract written to the National Employment Standards, and a short list of what to do next.

Start with the employment contract

Employment Contract

$45

$45 once. Full-time, part-time or casual, referenced to the National Employment Standards.

View the document

You might also need

Contractor Agreement

$49

If they are actually a contractor, not an employee, use this instead and avoid a sham contracting claim.

View

NDA / Confidentiality Agreement

$35

If the role touches sensitive information, add a confidentiality agreement.

View

The contract comes with plain-English guidance on the rest: PAYG, super, and checking whether a Modern Award applies to the role.