Time & attendance policy template
The foundational policy for managing employee time and attendance. Covers time recording methods, timesheet procedures, employee responsibilities and compliance requirements — aligned with Australian workplace laws.
Time & attendance policy
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Why every business needs a time and attendance policy
A time and attendance policy is the foundation for accurate payroll, workforce management and compliance. It establishes clear expectations for how employees record their hours and how the business manages time data.
Under the Fair Work Act, employers must keep accurate records of hours worked for at least 7 years. A documented policy helps ensure consistent practices, reduces disputes and provides evidence of compliance with record-keeping obligations.
Without clear time and attendance guidelines, businesses risk payroll errors, compliance issues and inconsistent treatment of employees.
Key elements of a time and attendance policy
What your time and attendance policy should include
Time recording
Clear requirements for how employees record their working hours.
Attendance tracking
Systems and processes for monitoring employee attendance.
Timesheet procedures
How timesheets are completed, submitted and maintained.
Employee responsibilities
Expectations for accurate and timely time recording.
Manager responsibilities
Oversight, approval and compliance monitoring duties.
Compliance framework
Alignment with Fair Work record-keeping requirements.
What's included in this template
Comprehensive coverage of time and attendance requirements
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who it applies to.
Policy statement
The organisation's commitment to accurate time and attendance recording.
Time recording methods
Approved methods for capturing work hours.
Clock-in and clock-out
Procedures for recording start and finish times.
Timesheet requirements
Standards for completing and submitting timesheets.
Breaks and rest periods
Recording requirements for meal and rest breaks.
Overtime recording
How additional hours are captured and approved.
Employee responsibilities
Obligations for honest and accurate time recording.
Manager responsibilities
Duties for review, approval and compliance.
Non-compliance
Consequences of inaccurate or fraudulent time recording.
Who should use this template?
Essential for businesses with hourly workers
Legal disclaimer
This template is designed to reflect Australian workplace standards at the time of publication. It is provided as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice.
Time and attendance record-keeping requirements are set out in the Fair Work Act. You should review and tailor this template to suit your specific circumstances. Seek independent legal or HR advice to support compliance with all relevant employment laws.
Regulatory sources
This template is aligned with Australian workplace record-keeping requirements.
Ready to formalise your time and attendance practices?
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Time and attendance policy FAQ
- Yes. This template provides a solid foundation, but you should tailor it to reflect your specific time recording systems, pay cycles, and any applicable modern award or enterprise agreement requirements.
- Distribute the policy during onboarding for new employees and via email or team meetings for existing staff. Have employees sign an acknowledgement form. Using time and attendance software can help automate compliance and reminders.
- Accurate records ensure employees are paid correctly, help businesses comply with award requirements, provide data for workforce planning, and protect both employers and employees in any disputes about hours worked.
- Falsifying time records is fraud and serious misconduct. It may result in immediate dismissal and potentially legal action. This applies to employees inflating hours and managers altering records to reduce pay. Learn about unfair dismissal protections.
- Under the Fair Work Act, employers must keep time and wages records for 7 years. Records must show hours worked each day, when work was performed, and breaks taken. Electronic records are acceptable if accessible and printable.
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Disclaimer
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.