Accepting a job offer
Learn what you'll receive when being offered a job, and what to check for.
What to expect
There are different ways you could receive a job offer, including:
- a verbal confirmation over the phone
- an email letting you know you were successful
- an informal handshake.
But in most cases following the acknowledgement, you'll likely be provided with a formal offer document that covers:
- terms and conditions of employment
- the official start date and expected hours of work
- any probation period
- pay and leave entitlements
- rules that may be specific to the award, enterprise agreement, employment contract, and/or workplace policies you’ve been employed under.
Read more about wage rates and awards at the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Review your offer document
It is very important that you read any offer document carefully and understand your rights and obligations before formally accepting the offer or starting work. If in doubt about anything:
- get a friend or someone more familiar with employment documents to review it too
- ask the employer or recruiter for any clarity if there is something you do not understand or want to question.
If changes are needed, review any updated version to check that the changes were added before you sign. It's a good idea to keep a copy for your own records.
Learn more about workplace rights and employee entitlements at the Fair Work Ombudsman.