What is the Fair Work Information Statement (FWIS)?

The FWIS is a document every Australian employer must give every new employee before they start work, or as soon as possible after (Fair Work Act 2009 sections 124-125). It covers the National Employment Standards, the right to request flexible working arrangements, modern awards, agreement-making, general protections, termination of employment and the roles of the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission. It is free to download from the Fair Work Ombudsman's website, and was updated after the 1 July 2026 minimum wage increase — always give the current version.

When must I give each information statement to a new employee?

FWIS: every new employee, before they start or as soon as possible after. Casual Employment Information Statement (CEIS): every new casual at the same time — and again during employment: after 12 months for a small business employer (fewer than 15 employees), or after 6 and 12 months and then every further 12 months for other employers. Fixed Term Contract Information Statement (FTCIS): every employee entering a new fixed term contract, when the contract is entered into — including casuals on fixed term contracts, who need all three statements.

What happens if I forget to give the Fair Work Information Statement?

Give it as soon as you realise — the legal standard is before the employee starts or as soon as possible after. The FWIS and CEIS obligations sit in the National Employment Standards, and contraventions are civil remedy provisions: a court can order penalties of up to $21,840 per contravention for an individual, $109,200 per contravention for a company with fewer than 15 employees, and $546,000 for a company with 15 or more — with higher maximums for serious contraventions (Fair Work Ombudsman litigation guidance, checked August 2026).

Do casual employees get extra statements?

Yes. New casuals get the Casual Employment Information Statement (CEIS) on top of the FWIS, before or as soon as possible after starting. The CEIS must then be re-issued during employment: after 12 months for small business employers, or after 6 and 12 months and then every further 12 months for other employers. A casual who enters a new fixed term contract also gets the Fixed Term Contract Information Statement — all three.

Where do I download the FWIS, CEIS and FTCIS?

All three are free downloads from the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au — the Fair Work Information Statement and Casual Employment Information Statement pages sit under employment conditions / National Employment Standards, and the Fixed Term Contract Information Statement under employment conditions / information statements. Download the statement on the day you give it: employers must provide the version in force at the time, and the FWO updates them (most recently for the 1 July 2026 minimum wage increase).

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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.

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