Contracts and agreements (updated May 2024)
The contract and agreement templates on this page can be used to create a draft document to take to your legal adviser.
Download the templates that are relevant to your state or territory and customise them for your farm business. Be sure to save a copy to your hard drive.
Please note: casual employment laws have changed, contact us if you have any questions.
| State or territory | Contract or agreement |
|---|---|
| All states except WA (updated Aug 2024) |
|
| Western Australia (updated Aug 2024) |
|
Contracts and agreements for people working on the farm other than employees
Contract for services on the dairy farm (independent contractors)
Share dairy farming agreement checklist
Other documentation for enterprise agreements
Employee election to cash out annual leave
Employee election to cash out personal leave
Model consultation term
Notice to Centrelink
Notice of Employee Representational Rights
Checklists
Checklist for approval and lodgement of an enterprise agreement
A guide to contract law
Basic principles of contract law for employers
Links to websites
| Fair Work Commission | www.fwc.gov.au |
| Fair Work Ombudsman | www.fairwork.gov.au |
| Department of Home Affairs | www.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Australian Taxation Office | www.ato.gov.au |
| Business Victoria | www.business.vic.gov.au |
| Visa Entitlement Verification Online | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online |
| Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission | www.wairc.wa.gov.au |
Rent and Utilities
If you wish to charge for utilities such as gas, electricity and water you can agree with the employee to deduct payment from the employee’s wages or salary as this is for their benefit. You can also agree with the employee to deduct rent from their salary as this is also for their benefit. Use the Authority to Deduct to formalise these deductions and keep the signed form with your employment records.
Accommodation Agreement templates
The Accommodation Agreement templates have been drafted to address some of the main issues which arise with on farm accommodation.
As the laws about accommodation vary there is a template accommodation agreement specifically for Victoria and one for NSW, Tasmania, South Australia or Western Australia.
There is also a template for shared accommodation in Victoria such as backpacker accommodation, a template for shared accommodation in Tas, WA, SA or NSW, and a Code of Conduct for shared accommodation.
There is no template for Queensland as the residential tenancy laws apply to all accommodation regardless of whether rent is charged.
Charging rent- NSW, Tasmania, South Australia or Western Australia
If you wish to charge rental and you are in NSW, Tasmania, South Australia or Western Australia then you will need to enter into a formal residential tenancy agreement in accordance with state laws. Some people find that the local real estate agent will arrange this and manage the property including performing inspections.
Each state has a residential tenancy authority website which provides information and pro forma agreements.
Go to the following links for the residential tenancy authority in your state:
South Australia
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/renting-and-letting/renting-privately/forms-and-fact-sheets-for-private-rental-tenancies
New South Wales
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property
Tasmania
https://cbos.tas.gov.au/topics/housing/renting/beginning-tenancy/leases
Western Australia
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/renting-home
Queensland
https://www.rta.qld.gov.au
