100% free job description templates for Australian businesses
Professional, award-compliant job description templates for Australian small businesses. Download ready-to-use PDFs across hospitality, retail, health care, logistics, transport, events, cleaning, security, construction, childcare and manufacturing — no signup required.
Browse templatesThese templates reflect Australian workplace standards and Fair Work principles at the time of publication. They are a general guide to adapt for your business, industry and modern award, and are not legal advice. 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.
Why job descriptions matter
A well-written job description is more than a hiring tool — it’s the foundation of a clear employment relationship. It sets expectations, supports performance management, and provides essential documentation for Fair Work compliance.
In Australia, job descriptions should reference the applicable modern award, outline genuine requirements, and accurately reflect the role. Getting this right from the start helps you attract suitable candidates and avoid disputes down the track.
Our templates are designed specifically for Australian businesses, covering the most common roles in shift-based industries. Each template includes key responsibilities, required qualifications, working conditions and award references — and pairs naturally with rostering software once the role is filled.
Browse by industry
Select your industry to find relevant job description templates — 148 roles across 12 industries, all free to download
Hospitality
Restaurants, cafes, bars, catering and food service roles — from kitchen hands to head chefs, bartenders to restaurant managers.
Read moreRetail
Sales assistants, cashiers, supervisors and store managers across supermarkets, boutiques, department and specialty stores.
Read moreAccommodation
Hotels, motels, resorts and serviced apartments — front desk, housekeeping, concierge and guest services roles.
Read moreHealth care
Aged care, disability support, home care and community services — personal care assistants, support workers and team leaders.
Read moreLogistics
Warehouses, distribution centres and supply chain — forklift operators, pickers, packers and warehouse supervisors.
Read moreTransport
Passenger services, airports and ground transport — drivers, customer service, ticketing and transport supervisors.
Read moreEvents
Venues, theatres, stadiums and festivals — ushers, ticketing staff, crowd controllers and stagehands.
Read moreCleaning
Commercial, office, residential and specialist cleaning — cleaners, housekeepers, supervisors and facilities coordinators.
Read moreSecurity
Guards, patrol officers, CCTV operators and supervisors across corporate, retail, events and residential security.
Read moreConstruction
Labourers, scaffolders, riggers, concreters and supervisors for residential, commercial and civil projects.
Read moreChildcare
Educators, room leaders, directors and support staff for long day care, family day care, preschools and OSHC.
Read moreManufacturing
Production workers, machine operators, supervisors and factory staff across food, automotive, plastics and general manufacturing.
Read moreWhat should a job description include?
Essential elements for Australian workplace compliance — every template covers these
All our templates include these essential elements, ready for you to customise.
Who these templates are for
Popular categories & free tools
Jump straight to a busy industry or pair your job descriptions with a free workforce tool
Hospitality job descriptions
20 roles from kitchen hand to restaurant manager, aligned with the Hospitality and Restaurant awards.
Browse hospitalityRetail job descriptions
20 roles from retail cashier to store manager under the General Retail Industry Award.
Browse retailFree HR templates
100+ workplace policies and forms — conduct, leave, performance, safety and onboarding.
Browse HR templatesFree workforce calculators
Award pay-rate estimates, overtime, shift cost and more — free calculators for Australian businesses.
Explore free toolsHelpful guides & resources
Put these templates to work with step-by-step guides for Australian employers.
Job descriptions by industry
Tailored for the Australian industries we serve.
How to write an effective job description
A strong job description is specific about duties (skip vague phrases like “other duties as required”), references the correct modern award, is clear about working hours and shift patterns, and lists only genuine requirements so you don’t shrink your candidate pool. Avoid the common mistakes — inflated experience requirements, the wrong award, discriminatory language and outdated content that hasn’t been reviewed in years.
Clear descriptions attract candidates who fit the role, set expectations from day one, support performance management and give you strong documentation in a Fair Work dispute. Review them annually and whenever the role changes. For the bigger picture, see our modern award pay rate guides and the Fair Work Act glossary entry, then download the templates for your industry above.
Need help managing your team?
Once you've hired the right people, RosterElf helps you schedule shifts, track time and attendance, and manage payroll compliance — all in one place.
Job descriptions FAQ
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A comprehensive Australian job description should include: position title, reporting structure, key responsibilities, required qualifications and skills, working conditions, employment type (casual/part-time/full-time), applicable modern award, and any specific requirements like licences or certificates. Our templates cover all these elements.
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While not strictly legally mandated, job descriptions are essential for Fair Work compliance. They help demonstrate you’ve clearly communicated role expectations, support performance management, and provide evidence in unfair dismissal claims. They’re considered best practice by Fair Work Australia.
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Review job descriptions annually or whenever: the role significantly changes, modern award updates occur, new compliance requirements emerge, or you notice a mismatch between the description and actual duties. Document review dates and maintain version control.
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The core duties can be the same, but you should specify the employment type and note differences in entitlements. Casual employees receive a loading instead of leave entitlements, while permanent staff accrue leave. Both are covered by the same modern award rates.
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It’s optional but recommended. You can include exact rates, a range, or simply reference the applicable award (e.g., ‘Paid in accordance with the Hospitality Industry Award’). Transparency about pay helps attract suitable candidates and sets clear expectations.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
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.