National Employment Standards
The National Employment Standards (NES) are the minimum employment entitlements that apply to every employee in the national workplace system, regardless of their award or agreement. No award, enterprise agreement or employment contract can provide less.
They set the floor; the Pastoral Award 2020 and any agreement build on top. The Fair Work Ombudsman maintains the full detail — this page covers what the standards mean for a dairy business and links to that detail.
The 11 standards
In summary, the NES provide:
- Maximum weekly hours — 38 hours for full-time employees, plus reasonable additional hours.
- Flexible working requests — the right to ask for a change in some circumstances.
- Casual conversion — pathways for eligible casuals to move to permanent employment.
- Parental leave — up to 12 months' unpaid leave, with a right to request a further 12.
- Annual leave — four weeks paid (pro-rata for part-time).
- Personal/carer's and compassionate leave — paid sick and carer's leave, plus compassionate leave.
- Family and domestic violence leave — 10 days paid each year, including for casuals.
- Community service leave — for jury duty and voluntary emergency management.
- Long service leave — under the applicable state or territory law.
- Public holidays — a paid day off on a public holiday (with exceptions).
- Notice of termination and redundancy pay — minimum notice and severance based on service.
Employers must also give every new employee the Fair Work Information Statement (and new casuals the Casual Employment Information Statement) and pay superannuation. For the full detail of each standard, see the Fair Work National Employment Standards page.