Hiring your first employee in Australia
Written by Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo, the founders of Urban Media, Melbourne. Updated .
The first hire changes the business: pay rules, tax withholding, super and records all start at once. The Fair Work Ombudsman, the ATO and business.gov.au set out what you must do, and this guide puts it in order.
It is general information, not legal or employment advice. Rules change, so check the current pages linked below.
Step 1: decide what the role is
Work out whether it is full-time, part-time or casual, which award or agreement applies and the minimum pay for the role. The Fair Work Ombudsman lists these as the first checks.
Step 2: the tax file number declaration
The declaration gives you the employee's tax file number, residency status, any study loan debts and whether they claim the tax-free threshold, which you need to work out how much tax to withhold. Employees can complete it online through ATO online services.
If an employee does not provide a TFN declaration, business.gov.au says tax must be withheld at the top rate.
Step 3: superannuation
Give the new employee a superannuation standard choice form and pass their details to their chosen fund.
Step 4: the paperwork before day one
- A signed letter of engagement or contract.
- The tax file number declaration and super choice form.
- Bank details and emergency contacts.
- Any licences the role needs.
- The Fair Work Information Statement, before the start date or as soon as possible after. Casual employees also need the Casual Employment Information Statement.
Step 5: insurance and records
Employers generally need workers compensation insurance, so arrange it before the start date.
Keep employment records for seven years and tax and super records for at least five, according to business.gov.au.
Where Urban Launch fits
We do not advise on employment. We build the brand and the website that help you attract the right people to hire and the right customers to pay for them.
Official sources
This guide was checked against these official pages on 23 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the source before you rely on a detail.
More guides for new businesses
- Logo or website first for a new business
- What to do after registering an ABN
- New business launch checklist, Melbourne
- How to name a business in Australia
- Business name vs company name in Australia
- Do I need a website for a small business
- What is a brand identity for a small business
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- How to get your first customers as a new business
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- Website checklist before you launch a small business site
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- How to start a business in Melbourne
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- How to register a brand name in Australia
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- Sole trader or company in Australia
- Do I need to register for GST
- How to choose a .com.au domain name
- How to get a logo for a new business
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- Setting up a business in Victoria
- How to open a business in Australia
- How to launch a startup in Australia
- Marketing plan for a new business
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- How to get Google reviews for a new business
- How to set up Google Search Console for a new website
- Why my new website is not showing on Google
- Website copy for a small business
- How to price your services as a new business
- Insurance for a new business
- How to invoice as a new business
All of them are on the guides page.
Who is behind this
Urban Launch is built and run by Urban Media (ABN 28 169 446 902), a Melbourne studio founded by Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo. Urban Media makes video, design and websites for clients including Box Hill United, Brighton Grammar and Porsche Club Victoria.
If you want to talk to the people doing the work, call 0456 785 904. More about who we are, and how to check us, is on the About page.
Common questions
- What do I need to do before my first employee starts?
- Confirm the award and pay, get a tax file number declaration and super choice form, provide the Fair Work Information Statement, and arrange workers compensation insurance.
- What happens if an employee does not give a TFN declaration?
- Business.gov.au says tax must be withheld at the top rate.
- How long do I keep employee records?
- Business.gov.au says seven years for employment records and at least five for tax and super records.
- Does a casual employee need anything extra?
- Yes, the Casual Employment Information Statement as well as the Fair Work Information Statement.
Start with a Launch Call
Live and generating enquiries within 45 days, or we keep working at no extra cost until you are. The Launch Call is where we check it is the right fit before we book anything in. For a real example, read the Airwize case study (12 conversions, meaning leads that became sales, in the first month of Google Ads from $70 of ad spend, our figures). You can also read how a launch package compares with hiring separately, or go to the packages and prices on the homepage. If you are setting up from scratch, see the business start-up package.
More: Brand and website package, Melbourne, Startup package for a new business, Melbourne, Branding, website and photography package, Melbourne.