Job offer checklist for Australia: what to check before you accept

How a job offer usually arrives

The NSW Government's guide to accepting your first job offer says an offer may come as a phone call, an email or even an informal handshake, but in most cases a formal offer document follows. It lists what that document usually covers: the terms and conditions of employment, the start date and expected hours, any probation period, pay and leave entitlements, and rules from the award, enterprise agreement, contract or workplace policies that apply.

The Australian Government's myGov page on accepting a job offer adds that when you accept, the employer will usually give you an employment contract to sign, and that the contract is a legal agreement between you and the employer.

The checklist

Creative Workplaces, a service of the federal arts body Creative Australia, lists what can go into an employment offer or contract. The table combines that list with the NSW Government's, plus your response deadline. Check your own letter against it.

If something on this list is missing, that does not always mean there is a problem. It does mean you should ask before you sign.

Pay and superannuation

Check whether the pay figure is a base salary "plus super" or a package "including super", because the same number means a different salary in each case. Our salary negotiation guide shows how to compare them.

The Australian Business Licence and Information Service on business.gov.au states that the super guarantee is 12% of the qualifying earnings an employer pays each employee. Under the Payday Super changes that apply from 1 July 2026, employers must pay super for each payday, and it must reach the employee's fund within 7 business days. The same page says that, generally, all employees are eligible for super. When you start, you can compare your payslips and super fund statements against what the offer promised.

Legal minimums still apply

An offer cannot reduce your legal entitlements. myGov says every employment contract must meet the National Employment Standards and any award or registered agreement that applies. Creative Workplaces explains that terms below the legal minimum are invalid and the legal minimums apply instead, even if they are not written in the contract. Employers can offer more than the minimum.

If you are on a student or temporary visa, also check that the hours fit your work conditions. Our student visa work hours guide explains the limit for student visa holders.

Taking time and asking questions

You are allowed to ask for time and to ask questions. The business.gov.au guide for employers on onboarding new employees tells businesses to give a candidate a couple of days to consider an offer, particularly when there is a written contract, and to expect that the candidate may want to negotiate some terms.

The NSW Government suggests asking a friend or someone familiar with employment documents to review the offer, and asking the employer or recruiter to clarify anything you do not understand. If changes are made, check the updated version includes them before you sign, and keep a copy.

myGov says that if you want to change something, you should speak to the employer before signing, and that employers can decline requests. It lists pay and benefits, start date and working arrangements as things you may negotiate. If you need flexible working arrangements, tell the employer before you sign so they can be added to the contract if agreed.

Useful questions, written as general examples:

• "Is the salary of $70,000 plus super, or including super?"
• "Which award or enterprise agreement covers this role?"
• "How long is the probation period, and how is performance reviewed during it?"
• "Could the start date be two weeks later, so I can give notice in my current job?"

A worked example (fictional)

This example is fictional. Mei, an international graduate in Adelaide, receives an offer from a fictional firm, Coastline Engineering, for a graduate project officer role. The letter asks her to reply within three days.

She checks it against the table and finds three gaps. The salary line says "$72,000" without saying whether super is included. The hours section says "as required". The letter mentions a probation period but not its length.

Mei replies the same day, thanks the employer and asks three short questions. The employer confirms the salary is plus super, sets out standard hours of 38 a week with occasional site visits, and states the probation length. The revised contract arrives two days later. She checks the changes, signs it, keeps a copy and updates her application tracker so she can withdraw her other applications politely.

After you accept

Sign and return the contract the way the employer asks. myGov notes that if either party does not follow the terms and conditions of the contract, there may be legal consequences. If you receive government payments, the NSW Government reminds you to tell the relevant agency when you start work.

Questions about job offers

Do I have to accept a job offer straight away?

No. The business.gov.au guide tells employers to give candidates a couple of days to consider an offer. If you need more time, ask politely and give a date.

Can I negotiate a job offer in Australia?

Yes. myGov says to speak to the employer before signing if you want to change something, such as pay and benefits, start date or working arrangements. Employers can decline.

What should a letter of offer include?

The NSW Government lists terms and conditions, start date, expected hours, any probation period, pay and leave entitlements, and the award, agreement, contract or policies that apply.

Can an offer pay less than the legal minimum?

No. Creative Workplaces explains that terms below the legal minimums are invalid and the legal minimums apply instead.