28.08.2026
Hospitality Workers' Rights Workshop — Study Melbourne
Hospitality Workers' Rights Workshop — Study Melbourne
Know Your Rights: What We Learned at the Hospitality Workers' Rights Workshop
Siva Visa Australia attended "Stay Safe, Get Paid Right: Hospitality Work in Australia", a workshop hosted by We Are Union's Women's Team together with the Migrant Workers Centre, as part of Study Melbourne's events for international students. Hospitality is one of the most common industries for international students, but also one of the most exposed to underpayment and unfair treatment; so we're sharing the key takeaways.
Types of employment
- Full-time – ongoing, ~38 hrs/week, paid leave, notice/redundancy entitlements
- Part-time – ongoing, less than 38 hrs, pro-rata leave entitlements
- Casual – casual loading (usually +25%), no paid leave, no guaranteed hours, but flexible
- Independent contractor – has an ABN, not legally an "employee"
Casual conversion
If you've worked as a casual for 6 months (12 for a small business) and no longer fit the "casual" definition (regular pattern, can't freely reject shifts), you may have the right to convert to permanent. Employers must respond within 21 days; a refusal can be disputed for free through the Fair Work Commission.
What your payslip must include
Employer name and ABN, your name, pay date and period, gross/net pay, all loadings and allowances, and (for casual/hourly) your rate, hours worked and total.
Cash-in-hand with no payslip is a red flag.
Spotting wage theft
Unpaid hours or overtime, flat "all-inclusive" rates, below-award pay, unpaid breaks, unpaid super, or a withheld final payment.
Useful tools
- PACT calculator – check your correct pay rate for free
- Your super fund's app – super should be paid on the same day as wages
- You have 6 years to claim underpaid wages, so it's never "too late"
Where to get help
- Study Melbourne Hub (17 Hardware Lane, Melbourne) – free legal advice on work and housing
Knowing your rights is part of a confident start to your career in Australia. Siva Visa isn't just about visas — we want your study and work experience here to be safe and fair.
Questions about work, study or migration to Australia? Reach out — Siva Visa is here to help.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Employment rights can vary depending on your circumstances, award or employment arrangement.
