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Notice Period Calculator
Find out how many weeks of notice apply, what pay in lieu is worth and when notice ends. It takes about a minute and nothing you enter leaves your browser.
How much notice must an employer give?
Under section 117 of the Fair Work Act, the same scale applies whether you are terminated or made redundant. It is based on continuous service with that employer.
| Continuous service | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| 1 year or less | 1 week |
| More than 1 year, up to 3 years | 2 weeks |
| More than 3 years, up to 5 years | 3 weeks |
| More than 5 years | 4 weeks |
Exactly 5 years is still 3 weeks; you need to pass the anniversary to reach the next band. If you are over 45 and have at least 2 years' service, you get 1 extra week. Your employer can pay you in lieu of working the notice, worked out as weeks × your weekly pay. There is one exception: for serious misconduct, an employer can dismiss you without notice.
Resigning: how much notice do you have to give?
The NES does not set a minimum for employees. The obligation comes from your award, enterprise agreement or employment contract. Many modern awards follow the same scale as above (without the over-45 week), so this calculator uses that pattern unless you enter your contract's weeks. If you give less than required, the employer may be allowed to deduct the shortfall from what they owe you, capped at 1 week's pay. Check your own award or contract, because yours may differ.
When does notice start and end?
Notice starts the day after it is given, so 4 weeks given on 21 October 2026 ends on 18 November 2026. An employer can give notice while you are on leave, but you generally can't use annual leave to cover the notice period unless your employer agrees. Sometimes an employer asks you to stay home but keeps paying you for the notice period; that is often called gardening leave.
Notice is only part of your final pay
Notice pay sits alongside unused annual leave, any long service leave and redundancy pay. Use the Final Pay Calculator for the full picture, or the Redundancy Pay Calculator if your role is being cut.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice must my employer give me?
It depends on your continuous service: 1 week for 1 year or less, 2 weeks for more than 1 and up to 3 years, 3 weeks for more than 3 and up to 5 years, and 4 weeks for more than 5 years. You get 1 extra week if you are over 45 and have at least 2 years' service.
How much notice do I have to give when I resign?
The National Employment Standards set no minimum for employees. Your award, enterprise agreement or contract does. Many modern awards mirror the employer scale (1 to 4 weeks by service), but yours may differ, so check it.
Can notice run while I'm on annual leave?
An employer can give notice while you are on leave, but notice generally cannot be worked out by taking annual leave unless your employer agrees. Any untaken annual leave is paid out in your final pay.
What is payment in lieu of notice?
It is a payment equal to the pay you would have earned over the notice period, made instead of working it out. Your employer can pay in lieu of all or part of the required notice.
Can my employer deduct pay if I leave without giving notice?
Many awards let an employer deduct an amount equal to the notice you did not give, usually capped at 1 week's pay, from money owed to you. It must be allowed by your award, agreement or contract, so check yours before accepting a deduction.
Do I get notice during probation?
Yes. The NES notice scale applies from the first day, so an employee with 1 year or less of service is entitled to 1 week. Your contract or award may set a different probation notice period, but not less than the NES minimum for employer-given notice.
Sources
- Fair Work Ombudsman — Notice and final pay (fairwork.gov.au)
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), section 117, minimum notice of termination, as summarised by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
General information only, not legal advice. Your award, agreement or contract may give you more. Check with the Fair Work Ombudsman or a lawyer before acting.