Start of employment relationship
Probation periods are often implemented at the start of the employment relationship. They give an employer and employee an opportunity to check that employees are suitable for the role they’ve been hired to do.
Length of probation
An employer usually decides on the length of the probation period. It often ranges from 3 to 6 months, beginning from when the employee starts employment. This will be stated in your employment contract.
Employee entitlements during probation
While on probation, employees continue to receive the same entitlements as someone who isn’t in a probation period. This includes the entitlements in the National Employment Standards.
If hired on a full-time or part-time basis, an employee on probation is entitled to accrue and access their paid leave entitlements, such as annual leave and sick leave.
If an employee doesn’t pass their probation, they are still entitled to:
- receive notice when employment ends
- have their unused accumulated annual leave hours paid out.