How to run an effective employee induction
Set new employees up for success with a comprehensive induction that covers WHS requirements, employment essentials, and role-specific training.
Written by
Georgia Morgan
General information only – not legal advice
This guide provides general information about employee inductions in Australia. WHS requirements vary by state and industry. For specific legal advice, consult a qualified workplace safety advisor or Fair Work. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
What is employee induction?
Employee induction is the formal introduction to your workplace that occurs on or around an employee's first day. It's a critical component of employee onboarding that focuses on immediate safety, compliance, and role requirements.
According to Business.gov.au, a thorough induction helps new employees understand your business, their role, and how to work safely. It covers everything from workplace health and safety to company policies and procedures.
Whether you're hiring for hospitality, healthcare, retail, or any other industry, following a structured induction process supports compliance, improves retention, and creates a positive first impression.
A well-executed induction reduces workplace injuries, ensures legal compliance, and helps new employees become productive faster—setting the foundation for long-term success.
Employee induction vs onboarding: What's the difference?
Understanding the difference helps you plan both processes effectively.
Employee induction
A formal first-day or first-week process covering immediate safety, compliance, and role essentials.
Timing: First day to first week
A broader process that starts before day one and continues for months, encompassing cultural integration and performance development.
Duration: First 3-6 months
This guide focuses on induction
This guide covers the immediate first-day/first-week induction process. For comprehensive onboarding beyond the first week, see our complete onboarding guide.
WHS induction checklist
Under Australian WHS law, all new workers must complete a safety induction before commencing work. Here's what must be covered.
WHS Rights and Duties
- Explain duties under WHS Act
- Role of WHS representatives
- How to report hazards
- Right to cease unsafe work
Emergency Procedures
- Evacuation routes and assembly points
- Fire extinguisher locations
- Emergency contacts and wardens
- Medical emergency procedures
Hazard Identification
- Workplace-specific hazards
- Control measures in place
- PPE requirements
- Incident reporting process
Personal Safety
- Manual handling procedures
- Ergonomic workstation setup
- Fatigue management
- Psychosocial hazard awareness
Free safety induction policy template
Download our comprehensive safety induction policy template to establish your WHS training framework. Covers mandatory training, refresher schedules, competency verification, and record keeping.
Download free template6-step induction process
Follow these steps to deliver a comprehensive employee induction.
Prepare before day one
Set up everything the new employee needs before they arrive to ensure a smooth first day.
Key items:
- Prepare workstation, equipment, and system access
- Create employee profile in payroll and rostering systems
- Collect TFN declaration, super choice, and bank details forms
- Verify right to work documentation (passport, visa)
Complete WHS induction
Conduct mandatory workplace health and safety training as required by law.
Key items:
- Explain WHS policies and employee responsibilities
- Identify workplace hazards and control measures
- Show emergency exits, first aid, and assembly points
- Introduce fire wardens and first aid officers
Cover employment essentials
Walk through the employment relationship, pay, and conditions.
Key items:
- Review employment contract and Fair Work Information Statement
- Explain pay rates, penalty rates, and pay cycles
- Clarify hours of work and rostering arrangements
- Discuss leave entitlements and how to request leave
Introduce workplace policies
Ensure the employee understands key policies and expectations.
Key items:
- Code of conduct and expected workplace behaviours
- Anti-discrimination and harassment policies
- Social media and communication guidelines
- Dress code and presentation standards
Set up systems and access
Train the employee on the systems they will use daily.
Key items:
- Rostering system login and how to view shifts
- Time and attendance clock-in procedures
- Communication tools (email, messaging, intranet)
- How to submit leave requests and availability
Schedule role-specific training
Provide the training needed to perform their specific job safely and effectively.
Key items:
- Job-specific procedures and standard operating instructions
- Equipment training and safe operation
- Customer service standards and expectations
- Buddy or mentor assignment for ongoing support
New employee documentation checklist
Essential documents to collect during induction for Australian businesses.
| Document | Required | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| TFN Declaration | Yes | Before first pay |
| Superannuation choice form | Yes | Within 28 days |
| Bank account details | Yes | Before first pay |
| Right to work evidence | Yes | Before start |
| Employment contract (signed) | Yes | Before start |
| Fair Work Information Statement | Yes | Day one |
| Emergency contact details | Yes | Day one |
| Policy acknowledgement form | Recommended | Within first week |
| WHS induction sign-off | Yes | Day one |
Free HR forms templates
Access our library of free HR forms including new employee details form, policy acknowledgement form, and more. All templates are Australian-compliant and ready to download.
Browse free formsSample first week schedule
Spread induction over the first week to avoid information overload.
Welcome and orientation
Meet team, workplace tour, WHS induction, paperwork completion
Systems and processes
System logins, rostering setup, policy review, basic role training
Role-specific training
Shadowing experienced staff, supervised tasks, initial feedback
Check-in
Manager catch-up, questions addressed, week 2 plan confirmed
Probation period management
Set clear expectations and check-ins during the probation period. Learn how to manage probation periods effectively and conduct 30/60/90-day performance reviews.
Common induction mistakes
Learn from these common errors to create a better employee experience.
Information overload on day one
Consequence: Employee overwhelmed, key information forgotten
Solution: Spread induction over the first week with focused sessions
Skipping WHS induction
Consequence: Legal non-compliance, safety incidents, workers comp claims
Solution: Complete WHS induction before any work tasks begin—use our free template
No system setup before arrival
Consequence: Unproductive first day, poor first impression
Solution: Prepare all access and equipment before employee starts with digital onboarding software
Forgetting Fair Work Information Statement
Consequence: Non-compliance with NES requirements
Solution: Include FWIS in day-one paperwork as a standard checklist item
No assigned buddy or mentor
Consequence: New hire feels isolated and is reluctant to ask questions
Solution: Always assign an onboarding buddy for informal support
NSW WHS regulation 2025 updates
The new WHS Regulation 2025 (NSW) commenced on 22 August 2025 with key changes affecting inductions:
- Psychosocial hazards (stress, bullying, excessive hours) must be covered in inductions
- Silica registers and lithium-ion storage rules may require induction updates
- Contractor induction packs should be reviewed and updated
Free induction templates and forms
Download ready-to-use templates to streamline your induction process.
Safety induction policy
Comprehensive WHS training and induction framework template.
Download templateNew employee details form
Collect essential employee information during induction.
Download formPolicy acknowledgement form
Confirm employees have received and understood policies.
Download formAll HR forms
Browse our complete library of free HR forms and templates.
View all formsSafety policies
15+ safety and compliance policy templates for Australian businesses.
Browse policiesStaff handbook guide
Learn how to create a comprehensive employee handbook.
Read guideDigitise inductions with RosterElf HR Hub
Streamline your induction process with digital onboarding software. Automated workflows, progress tracking, and compliance documentation—all in one place.
Send paperwork automatically
Forms, contracts, and policies sent to new hires before day one. Employees complete on any device.
Track progress in real-time
See exactly where each new hire is in the induction process. Track onboarding progress in RosterElf.
Customise for different roles
Set up role-specific induction paths for hospitality, healthcare, retail, and more. Customise workflows.
Store records securely
All induction documents in one place with digital HR records. Easy to find for audits.
Or book a demo to see it in action
Frequently asked questions
- A comprehensive induction should include: WHS induction covering hazards, emergency procedures, and safety responsibilities; employment documentation including TFN declaration, super choice, and signed contract; Fair Work Information Statement; workplace policies including code of conduct and anti-discrimination; system access and training; and role-specific training. WHS induction is a legal requirement—employees should not commence work tasks until this is completed.
- Yes. Under WHS legislation, employers must provide workers with information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary for them to work safely. This includes induction training that covers workplace hazards, emergency procedures, and how to report safety concerns. Failure to provide adequate WHS induction can result in penalties and increased liability if an incident occurs. Use our free safety induction policy template to establish your framework.
- The Fair Work Information Statement (FWIS) is a document that employers must give to all new employees before or as soon as practicable after they start employment. It provides information about the National Employment Standards, modern awards, agreement-making, and where to get help with workplace issues. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides the current version on their website.
- Induction is a subset of onboarding focused on the first day or week—covering orientation, introductions, and immediate training. Onboarding is the broader process that starts before day one and continues for months, encompassing cultural integration, ongoing training, and performance support.
Industry-specific induction considerations
Tailor your induction process for your industry.
Regulatory sources
Official resources for employee induction requirements in Australia.
Digitise inductions
RosterElf HR Hub helps you create and track induction checklists with completion verification. Built for Australian small businesses.
Related guides
More resources for employee onboarding.
Streamline your HR processes
Join thousands of Australian businesses using RosterElf to manage HR tasks efficiently. Built for Australian small businesses.