Are You Providing Payslips Correctly? A Simple Guide for Small Business Owners

Larissa Darcy • August 24, 2025

Payslips aren’t just a formality - they’re a legal requirement. Under Fair Work Australia, failing to issue correct payslips can put your business at serious risk.

Australian banknotes: $100, $50, and $20, in green, yellow, and red, overlapping and scattered.

Payslips might seem routine, but in Australia, they’re a legal requirement — and getting them wrong can lead to fines, disputes, and serious compliance risks. Here’s what every small business owner needs to know.

Under Section 536 of the Fair Work Act 2009, all employees must receive a payslip within one working day of being paid. This rule applies even if the employee is on leave or no longer works for you.


In short:

If you pay staff on Friday, they must receive their payslip by Monday (assuming Monday is a standard business day). Delays or inconsistent delivery can result in compliance action from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

What Information Must a Payslip Include?

According to Regulation 3.46 of the Fair Work Regulations 2009, a compliant payslip must contain:


  • Your business name and ABN (if applicable)
  • The employee’s name
  • The pay period (start and end dates)
  • Date of payment
  • Gross and net pay
  • Any loadings, allowances, bonuses or commissions
  • Any deductions (including who the money is paid to)
  • The superannuation amount and fund name
  • Hours worked and pay rate (for hourly staff)


It’s also important to note:

Payslips must not include details about paid family and domestic violence leave to protect employee privacy.

What Happens If You Get It Wrong?

Failing to issue compliant payslips could result in:


  • On-the-spot fines (infringement notices)
  • Legal penalties for repeated or serious breaches
  • Assumptions made against you in court disputes over pay
  • Reputation damage and employee mistrust


Even unintentional errors — like leaving off super contributions or miscalculating hours — can open your business to unnecessary risk.

How Intrinsic HR Can Help

We work with small businesses to implement simple, legally compliant payroll processes — including payslip templates, recordkeeping checklists, and training for your admin team.



Whether you manage payroll in-house or outsource it, we’ll make sure you stay compliant and confident.

Need support reviewing your payslip process?

Reach out to Intrinsic HR — because clarity isn’t just kind, it’s required.