If you’ve decided to go ahead and find a summer job, once you’ve organised your resume and started applying for jobs, you’re already halfway there.
There are just one or two other things you might like to organise so that you’ll be ready to start work as soon as you get the call.
Are you ready to get paid?
OK, that probably sounds like a weird question because heck yes, getting a summer job is all about the money (and the work experience of course).
What we mean is: do you have a Tax File Number (TFN)?
You can apply for one at any age and it can take around 28 days to process. You need it to help you keep track of your earnings, superannuation, and any taxes you’ll need to pay – or are entitled to have refunded. Find out more on the ATO page.
Have you got a bank account where:
- You can get your wages paid into;
- You’ll be able to access your money (if you want to);
- Or where you’ll be able to start growing your savings with the maximum benefits?
Have you got a super account set up?
Providing a super account to employers means you’ll start accumulating money in there from the get-go. Nominating the same account for every job means it will be much easier to keep track of everything you’re entitled to later on, and you’ll accumulate more interest over time (meaning more fun in your retirement).
Speak to your parents or guardians if you’re under 18, as you might need them to sign some of the forms on your behalf. They could also help you understand more about superannuation and decide what’s right for you.
Read about your rights and responsibilities
Before you start working we recommend that you learn about your rights and responsibilities. Find out what employers expect from you, and what you can expect from them. The best place to start is the Fairwork website.
You can also read about the workplace health and safety guidelines for your state here:
- New South Wales
- Australian Capital Territory
- Victoria
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Northern Territory
- Tasmania
Don’t stress, you’re not going to get tested on any of this.
New employers will advise you about your duties and what is expected of you, but it doesn’t hurt to have a quick read through the information available.
It’s always good to be informed – it means that you’ll rock up to work knowing what you have to do and you won’t be taken advantage of either.
