Employee Offer Letter Template
An employee offer letter extends a conditional offer of employment and sets out the key terms of the role. Use our free Australian template to make a clear, professional offer that aligns with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), the National Employment Standards, and any applicable modern award or enterprise agreement.
We are delighted to extend this formal offer of Full-Time employment with Harbour Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 12 345 678 901). Following our recent discussions, we were impressed by your qualifications and experience and are confident you will be an outstanding addition to our team.
POSITION DETAILS
| Job Title | Senior Software Engineer |
| Department | Engineering |
| Reporting To | Head of Engineering |
| Work Location | Level 12, 1 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000 (Hybrid — 3 days in-office) |
| Start Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Employment Type | Full-Time |
Your remuneration will be 120,000.00 AUD per annum (p.a.) (gross, before applicable tax withholding under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth)). Your ordinary hours of work will be 38 hours per week, consistent with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s. 62.
SUPERANNUATION
In addition to your remuneration, the Company will contribute 11.5% of your ordinary time earnings to a complying superannuation fund of your choice, in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth) s. 19. If you do not nominate a fund, contributions will be made to the Company's default fund.
NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS (NES)
Your employment will be governed by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the National Employment Standards (NES), which set minimum entitlements that cannot be contracted out of, including:
• Annual Leave: 4 weeks paid annual leave per year (or 5 weeks for shift workers), accruing progressively under NES s. 87;
• Personal/Carer's Leave: 10 days per year for full-time and part-time employees under NES s. 96;
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 months unpaid parental leave (with the right to request a further 12 months) under NES s. 70;
• Notice of Termination: Minimum notice periods based on continuous service under NES s. 117;
• Redundancy Pay: Entitlements based on length of service under NES s. 119.
This offer is subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period of three (3) months from your commencement date. During this time, either party may terminate the employment relationship by providing the notice required under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s. 117. Please note that the unfair dismissal provisions of the Fair Work Act do not apply during the minimum employment period (s. 383).
FAIR WORK INFORMATION STATEMENT
As required by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s. 125, the Company will provide you with a copy of the Fair Work Information Statement before, or as soon as practicable after, you commence employment. The Statement sets out your rights and entitlements under the Fair Work system and can also be accessed at fairwork.gov.au.
ADDITIONAL TERMS
A signing bonus of 5,000 AUD (gross) will be paid with the first payroll cycle.
This offer is open for acceptance until 9 May 2026. If we do not receive your signed acceptance by that date, this offer shall be deemed withdrawn without further notice.
We look forward to welcoming you to the team. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding the terms of this offer.
I, Emma L. Watson, accept the offer of employment with Harbour Digital Pty Ltd as Senior Software Engineer on the terms and conditions set out in this letter. I confirm that I am lawfully entitled to work in Australia in accordance with the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
Candidate Signature: _____________________________ Date: _____________________
Printed Name: _____________________________
What Is an Employee Offer Letter?
An employee offer letter is a written document extending a conditional offer of employment to a candidate. It captures the fundamental terms — position title, reporting line, start date, remuneration, hours of work, and contingencies — and usually references a full employment contract, the Fair Work Information Statement, and applicable workplace policies. The offer letter is the first formal document in the employment relationship and frames everything that follows.
In Australia, offers of employment are regulated by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), which establishes the National Employment Standards (NES) as the statutory floor of minimum entitlements for all national-system employees. The NES covers matters such as maximum weekly hours, annual leave, personal/carer's leave, parental leave, compassionate leave, public holidays, notice of termination, redundancy pay, and the right to request flexible working arrangements.
Modern awards and enterprise agreements may impose additional minimum standards, including classification-based minimum wages, overtime rates, penalty rates, and allowances. Section 125 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) requires employers to provide the Fair Work Information Statement to all new employees before, or as soon as practicable after, starting. From 15 December 2023, a Casual Employment Information Statement must also be given to casual employees.
What's Covered in This Template
Our offer letter covers the essential information a candidate needs to accept an offer with confidence.
Employer and Employee Details
Employer legal name, ABN, and candidate personal details.
Position Title and Duties
Role title, reporting line, and summary of duties.
Employment Type
Full-time, part-time, casual, or fixed-term status.
Start Date
Expected start date and any probation period.
Remuneration
Base salary, allowances, superannuation contribution rate, and bonus structure.
Hours of Work
Ordinary hours in line with the NES and any applicable award.
Leave Entitlements
Annual, personal, carer's, parental, and long service leave summary.
Applicable Award or Agreement
Reference to modern award, enterprise agreement, or common-law contract.
Conditions of Offer
Work rights, police/background checks, and reference checks.
Notice of Termination
Notice periods in line with the NES and any award or agreement.
Probation Period
Length and terms of any probation period.
Acceptance
Signature block for acceptance by the candidate.
How to Create an Employee Offer Letter
Follow these steps to produce a compliant Australian offer letter in minutes.
- 1
Enter Employer and Candidate Details
Provide employer legal name, ABN, and the candidate's personal details.
- 2
Describe the Position
Specify title, reporting line, employment type, and start date.
- 3
Set Remuneration and Hours
Configure base salary, superannuation, allowances, and ordinary hours in line with the NES or applicable award.
- 4
Add Conditions and Probation
Specify conditional items such as work rights checks and probation period.
- 5
Review and Download
Confirm notice periods, leave entitlements, and acceptance block, then download the PDF.
Legal Considerations
Employee offer letters must comply with the NES and any applicable award or enterprise agreement.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified employment lawyer or the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice specific to your situation.
Reviewed for Australian law
National Employment Standards
Part 2-2 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) sets out ten NES minimum entitlements applicable to all national-system employees, including maximum 38 ordinary hours per week, four weeks' paid annual leave (five for shift workers), 10 days' personal/carer's leave, 12 months' unpaid parental leave with a right to request a further 12 months, and notice of termination from 1 to 5 weeks depending on service. Contract terms less favourable than the NES are unenforceable to the extent of the inconsistency.
Modern Awards and Enterprise Agreements
Most private-sector employees are covered by a modern award setting out classification-based minimum wages, overtime, penalty rates, and allowances. Some employers have an enterprise agreement approved by the Fair Work Commission that replaces the award. The offer letter should identify whether the role is award-covered, agreement-covered, or award-free, and the applicable classification.
Information Statements
Section 125 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) requires the Fair Work Information Statement to be given to every new employee. From 15 December 2023, the Casual Employment Information Statement must also be given to casuals on commencement, after 6 months, and after 12 months (for small businesses, only on commencement and after 12 months).
Superannuation and Tax
Employers must pay superannuation contributions at 11.5% of ordinary time earnings (rising to 12% from 1 July 2025) under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth). PAYG withholding obligations arise under the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth). The offer letter should state whether the quoted remuneration is inclusive or exclusive of superannuation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Create Your Offer Letter Now
Make a professional, Fair Work compliant offer to your next hire. Fill in the details and download the PDF in minutes.
Free · Instant PDF · No account required