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‹ HR Glossary

Fair Work Information Statement

Fair Work and entitlements
What is the Fair Work Information Statement?

The Fair Work Information Statement (FWIS) is a document published by the Fair Work Ombudsman that every employer must give each new employee before, or as soon as practicable after, they start work. Casual employees must also receive the Casual Employment Information Statement.

What is in it, and why it exists

The FWIS summarises the safety net in plain language: the NES, modern awards, agreement-making, individual flexibility arrangements, union membership rights, termination and the roles of the Fair Work Ombudsman and Commission. The obligation exists so every employee starts work knowing where the floor is and who to call if it is breached.

Who must receive which statement, and when

Every new employee gets the FWIS at or around commencement. Casuals additionally get the Casual Employment Information Statement (CEIS), which since the Closing Loopholes changes must be re-issued at points during casual employment (at 6 and 12 months, and annually after that for larger employers). Fixed-term employees must also receive the Fixed Term Contract Information Statement. Giving it once, on time, by any reasonable means (printed, emailed, or a link the employee can actually access) discharges the duty.

The cheap compliance win

This is the easiest onboarding obligation in the system to automate and the most embarrassing one to miss, because non-compliance is visible from the personnel file alone. Bake the current versions into the onboarding pack, date-stamp the delivery, and refresh the documents each July when the Ombudsman updates them.

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Related terms

National Employment Standards (NES)Casual conversionProbation periodAll terms ›
Where Compono fits

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Common questions

Does the FWIS need to be given for every new job?

Yes, at the start of each new employment relationship. An employer does not need to re-issue it to the same continuing employee, but casuals have their own CEIS re-issue schedule.

Where does the current version come from?

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes and updates the statements; always distribute the current version rather than a saved copy from years past.

General guidance, not legal advice. Entitlements depend on the applicable award, agreement and jurisdiction. Rules and figures current as at July 2026 and reviewed annually.