Employee timesheets – legal requirements
Australia
Clear, Australian-focused guidance for SME owners and managers on timesheet laws, record-keeping obligations, and compliance risk.
No signup required • PDF format
7 yrs
minimum record retention
6
key compliance insights
16
pages of guidance
SMEs
practical focus
Six critical insights for employers
Our review of Australian enforcement trends highlights these key insights for timesheet compliance.
Timesheets are mandatory
Accurate time records are a legal requirement
Actual hours matter
Assumed or averaged hours are not compliant
Breaks are high risk
Unpaid breaks are frequently misrecorded
Edits must be controlled
Untracked changes undermine credibility
Timesheets drive payroll accuracy
Errors flow directly into pay outcomes
Regulatory scrutiny is increasing
Time records are central to audits
What you'll learn
This 16-page guide covers timesheet requirements for Australian SMEs, from legal obligations to practical compliance actions.
- What timesheets are legally required
- Who must keep employee timesheets
- Common timesheet compliance mistakes
- What must be recorded on timesheets
- Breaks, overtime and variations
- Approvals and corrections
- Timesheets and payroll compliance
- Practical actions compliant SMEs are taking
Where SMEs get it wrong
Timesheet non-compliance often occurs due to these common issues.
Estimating hours
Recording estimated or averaged hours instead of actual start and finish times.
Auto-approved timesheets
Pre-filled or auto-approved timesheets that bypass proper review processes.
Breaks assumed, not taken
Recording breaks as taken when they were actually worked through or shortened.
Uncontrolled edits
Informal timesheet changes without proper documentation or approval trails.
Trusted australian sources
This guide draws on official regulatory guidance and research from leading Australian institutions.
Is this guide right for you?
SME owners
Business owners who need to understand their timesheet record-keeping obligations.
HR managers
HR professionals managing time recording systems and payroll compliance.
Payroll staff
Those responsible for processing timesheets and ensuring accurate pay calculations.
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Actionable guidance to help you get employee timesheets right and reduce compliance risk.
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5.0 average rating Frequently asked questions
- This 16-page guide covers employee timesheet requirements for Australian small businesses, including legal obligations, what must be recorded, common mistakes, breaks and overtime, approvals and corrections, and practical compliance actions.
- The guide is designed for Australian SME owners, managers, and HR staff who need to understand their timesheet record-keeping obligations and reduce compliance risk.
- Yes, the guide is completely free. No signup or email address is required. Simply click the download button to get instant access to the PDF.