The National Employment Standards (NES) are the minimum legally enforceable employment entitlements for employees in Australia, as set out in the Fair Work Act 2009 . There are 10 core NES conditions (such as maximum weekly working hours, various forms of leave, public holidays, and notice of termination/redundancy pay) that all national system employers must provide as a basic safety net . These standards cannot be undercut by any contract or agreement, ensuring every employee receives fundamental rights like paid annual leave, personal/carer’s leave, and other essential benefits. Compliance with the NES is crucial in HR and payroll management – employers must ensure workplace policies and pay arrangements at least meet these standards, as failure to do so can result in legal penalties or disputes.
