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As an employer, you will often have a number of obligations to think about. This could include your obligations to customers, suppliers or other stakeholders. So, what about your obligations to employees?
Luckily, Australian Employment Law has this sorted. Most industries will be covered by a specific award which sets out employer obligations and employee entitlements. It’s vital that you provide your employees with the correct entitlements outlined in the relevant award. Updated for 2025, these standards help ensure fair pay and safe working conditions in line with current legislation.
Your first step is to check which award applies to your workforce, and then ensure your internal policies and the Employment Contract you have with them are consistent with these rules.
This way, you can ensure you remain compliant with all current Employment Laws and avoid any potential legal pitfalls.
There are multiple types of awards – for example, employees working in the legal industry might be covered by the Legal Services Award while other sectors adhere to different guidelines.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of the Professional Employees Award as it applies in 2025.
What Is The Professional Employees Award?
The Professional Employees Award outlines guidelines for employees in select industries. Updated to reflect 2025 requirements, this award provides a framework for pay scales, overtime, leave entitlements and other working conditions that ensure fairness and clarity in the workplace.
This award applies to employees working in the following industries:
- Information Technology
- Medical Research
- Telecommunications Services
- Quality Auditing
Note that it does not apply to every employee within these sectors but specifically to those who meet the award criteria.
For instance, to be covered by the award, an employee must hold certain qualifications, not be covered under another sector-specific award (such as the rail, airport or electrical power awards), and work in an approved area as outlined in the award’s guidelines. For further details, check the Fair Work website.
Who Is Covered By The Professional Employees Award?
As with any award, it’s important to carefully review whether your employees’ working arrangements satisfy the specific criteria laid out. Only those who meet these conditions will be entitled to the award’s benefits.
Information Technology (IT)
Within the IT industry, an employee’s role is typically considered eligible if it involves:
- Designing computer software and equipment
- Conducting repairs and installations
- Programming and systems analytics
- Consultancy services
- Design, development, and maintenance of IT systems
If your employees’ roles involve these functions, they will likely fall under the Professional Employees Award.
Medical Research
The award also covers employees in the medical research industry. For employment in this field to qualify, it must meet the following criteria:
- Be part of a Not-For-Profit organisation
- Conduct applied, basic, clinical, or translational research
- Focus primarily on understanding, treating, or curing diseases
Quality Auditing
The quality auditing industry aims to enhance organisational performance. For an auditor to be covered by the award, they must:
- Provide comprehensive assessments of company operations
- Advise on strategies to achieve and maintain compliance with industry standards
Telecommunications Services
In the telecommunications sector, eligibility typically involves roles that include:
- Supply, maintenance, and installation of telecommunications equipment
- Working on telecommunications lines
- Providing related support services
Who the Professional Employees Award Doesn’t Cover: Employees without the relevant formal qualifications, those covered by other specific awards (such as the rail, airport or electrical power awards), or those whose duties are strictly clerical or administrative in nature.
It’s crucial to note that if an employee’s role is primarily administrative, they may be better served by an award specifically designed for clerical work.
Professional Employee Award Pay Guide
What Does Fair Work Say About The Professional Employees Award?
The National Employment Standards (NES) ensure that workers in designated fields receive fair treatment and remuneration in line with national benchmarks. Together with the Professional Employees Award, these standards dictate how base pay, overtime, and additional entitlements are administered in 2025.
Each classification within the award has its own pay scale, with annual adjustments made to reflect changes in the economic climate. Additionally, the award outlines entitlements such as travel expense reimbursements and allowances for standby periods.
Why Should I Check The Award My Employee Is Under?
Understanding the award applicable to your employees is one of the first steps to meeting your legal obligations. The award governs essential employment conditions including payment rates, working hours, leave entitlements, and more.
If an employee is not receiving the correct entitlements as defined by their award, they may have grounds to take legal action. Staying up to date with the award’s stipulations is vital to protect your business from potential disputes and penalties.
For further clarification on how proper Employment Contracts should reflect award conditions, as well as guidance on maintaining a respectful workplace—see our coverage on Workplace Harassment & Discrimination—ensuring you are well-prepared for any compliance review.
How Can I Ensure My Employees Receive Their Entitlements?
At Sprintlaw, we offer a comprehensive Modern Award Compliance package tailored to the 2025 legal landscape. Our expert team will assess your award obligations and review your Employment Contracts to ensure that your internal policies are fully compliant with current Fair Work requirements.
In today’s competitive market, safeguarding your business against claims of non-compliance is essential. We also provide ongoing support and consultation services to help you adapt to any changes—whether new guidelines from the Fair Work Commission or updates in award classifications. For more insights on protecting your business, check out our resource on Legal Essentials for Small Businesses.
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Example Harper runs a business where she manufactures custom computers for a diverse range of clients—from serious gamers to IT professionals including programmers and software developers. Her customers require high-performance specifications, such as increased memory, faster processing speeds, and expanded storage, which are not readily available off the shelf. To meet her clients’ demands in 2025, Harper hires Elijah, a recent graduate with the necessary qualifications. Aware of her obligations under the Professional Employees Award, Harper consults with our expert legal team to draft Elijah’s employment contract in collaboration with him. According to the award: – Elijah is expected to work an ordinary 38-hour week. – He will be compensated for any overtime, business travel, and periods when he is on standby. – Based on his qualifications and 2025 industry standards, Elijah is entitled to an annual salary of approximately $58,000. – Recognising his value in a competitive market, Harper offers him a starting salary of $62,000. – Harper also contributes to Elijah’s superannuation fund, as required by law. – Additionally, Elijah is entitled to annual leave and other benefits as specified in the award. |
Need Help?
Employment law can be complex, and staying compliant with evolving standards is challenging. Our specialist lawyers are here to help you navigate these complexities and ensure your Employment Contracts and workplace policies are fully aligned with the latest legal requirements for 2025.
If you have any questions about employment law or are unsure about your obligations under a particular award, our friendly legal consultants are available for a free, no-obligation chat. We also provide guidance on related areas such as casual employment contracts and modern awards analysis to ensure your business remains compliant.
For a consultation and a free quote, please reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au. Your business’s compliance and success in 2025 are our top priorities.
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