What to Include in Your Employment Agreement

Running a health and wellness business in Australia is rewarding, but when you start hiring team members, things can get legally complicated very quickly. Without a proper employment agreement in place, you risk misunderstandings, disputes, and even expensive legal action. That is why every health and wellness business should have a clear, legally compliant employment agreement template ready to go.

Whether you are hiring a receptionist for your clinic, a massage therapist, a Pilates instructor, or a social media manager to help with your marketing, having a written agreement protects both you and your employee. It sets out expectations from day one and makes sure everyone is on the same page about their role, responsibilities, and entitlements.

In Australia, an employee agreement form is not just a formality. It is a key legal document that can help you meet your obligations under workplace laws and Fair Work requirements. Without it, you may find yourself with no clear evidence of what was agreed upon if a dispute arises.

 

Key elements to include in your employment contract agreement template

If you are creating your own agreement or using one of our professionally drafted employment contract templates, here are some of the most important sections you should always include.

Position and duties – Clearly state the employee’s role, title, and what tasks they are expected to perform. This should reflect their actual day-to-day duties so there is no confusion about the scope of the role.

Work hours and location – Detail the employee’s working hours, break times, and whether the role is full-time, part-time, or casual. Include the location of work, whether it is on-site at your wellness clinic, remote, or at multiple locations.

Remuneration and benefits – Outline how much the employee will be paid, when they will be paid, and how entitlements such as leave and superannuation will be managed. If there are any bonuses, allowances, or in-kind benefits (such as free classes), these should also be documented.

Leave entitlements – Include information about annual leave, sick leave, personal leave, and any other applicable leave types under Australian workplace laws.

Confidentiality obligations – Particularly in health and wellness businesses, employees may have access to sensitive client information. Your employment agreement template should include confidentiality clauses to ensure this information is protected.

Termination and notice periods – Set out the circumstances in which employment can be terminated and the required notice period for both parties. This will help prevent disputes and ensure a smoother process if the working relationship ends.

Dispute resolution process – A clear dispute resolution process can help address issues early before they escalate into bigger problems. This might include mediation or other informal resolution methods before formal legal action is considered.

 

Why you should consider using a professionally drafted employment contract template

While it can be tempting to copy a free agreement you find online, many of these are not written for Australian laws or the health and wellness industry. Using a professionally drafted employment contract template that is compliant with Australian law means you are working with a document that is tailored to your legal requirements and industry context.

Our Legally Healthy Employment Agreement Template is designed for Australian health and wellness businesses, making it easy to fill in with your details while ensuring you cover all the important legal points. You will save time, reduce stress, and have peace of mind knowing your agreements are legally sound.

 

Do you work with contractors instead of employees?

If you are hiring independent practitioners or outsourcing work, you should not use an employment agreement. Instead, you will need a contractor agreement that sets out the terms of that arrangement. We have a professionally drafted Independent Contractor Agreement Template that is also designed for the health and wellness industry in Australia.

 

Where to get your templates

If you need a legally compliant agreement you can start using today, check out our templates:

Employment Agreement Template: https://legallyhealthy.com.au/shop/employment-agreement/

Independent Contractor Agreement Template: https://legallyhealthy.com.au/shop/independent-contractor-agreement/

Or if you think you might need both, check out our Teams Bundle, and save: https://legallyhealthy.com.au/shop/teams-bundle-aus/

By investing in the right employment contract templates now, you can protect your business, create stronger working relationships, and avoid costly disputes in the future.