Employee Handbook
An Employee Handbook is a series of employment policies, usually given to employees at the start of employment.
Last updated October 24, 2025
Suitable for Australia
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What is an employee handbook?
What is an employee handbook?
An employee handbook is a document that outlines workplace policies, rules, and expectations for employees and employers, typically given to new hires at the start of employment.
It consolidates policies like conduct, leave, safety and anti-discrimination into one reference, so everyone in the business is working from the same set of documented rules.
Am I legally required to have an employee handbook?
Am I legally required to have an employee handbook?
No, there's no Australian federal or state law that specifically requires a business to have an employee handbook.
You are legally required to give new employees the Fair Work Information Statement (plus the casual or fixed term information statements where relevant), and in practice you'll need written policies to meet other duties, like your work health and safety obligations (occupational health and safety in Victoria) and the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act to take reasonable and proportionate measures to prevent workplace sexual harassment. A handbook is the most practical way to do this consistently, but it isn't a strict legal mandate on its own.
Is an employee handbook legally binding, or part of the employment contract?
Is an employee handbook legally binding, or part of the employment contract?
Generally no, an employee handbook sits alongside the employment contract rather than forming part of it, similar to how standalone company policies work.
That said, if a handbook is expressly incorporated into the contract by reference, or written in promissory terms, the employer can be bound by it and an employee may be able to sue for breach (as happened in Romero v Farstad Shipping (Indian Pacific) Pty Ltd [2014] FCAFC 177). Even when it isn't contractual, employees are still expected to follow policies as lawful and reasonable directions.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I customise which policies are included in an employee handbook?
keyboard_arrow_upIs an employee handbook suitable for all types of businesses?
keyboard_arrow_upHow often should I update my employee handbook?
keyboard_arrow_upWhat are the limitations of an employee handbook?
keyboard_arrow_upWhat happens if I don't follow my own employee handbook's procedures?
keyboard_arrow_upDoes an employee handbook cover flexible and remote work arrangements?
keyboard_arrow_upHow much does it cost to get an employee handbook, template versus a lawyer?
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The Legal Risk Score of a Employee Handbook Template is Low
Our legal team have marked this document as low risk considering:
- It is a commonplace policy collection.
- Workplace policies can be changed at any time at the discretion of the employer.
- The document allows for flexible working arrangements, which, while beneficial, could lead to operational challenges or inconsistencies in managing diverse employee needs and expectations across the organization.
Meet Our Users
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