Country guide · Australia

Quitting your job in Australia

Notice under your award or contract

As a resigning employee, your notice is usually set by the award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract that covers you, rather than by a single national number. It is commonly two to four weeks depending on your role and length of service. Find the instrument that applies to you, give the notice it requires, and serve it properly, since that protects your final pay and your reference. Australia's workplace system is detailed, so when in doubt, check the specific award rather than assume.

Final pay and annual leave

Under the National Employment Standards, accrued but unused annual leave is paid out when you leave. Depending on your years of service and your state or territory, you may also be entitled to a long service leave payment, which can be significant after many years with one employer. Your final pay should include owed wages, the annual leave payout, and any long service leave entitlement, so confirm all of it in writing. General principles are in our leave payout guide.

Medicare and private cover

Medicare is based on residency, not employment, so leaving your job does not affect your access to it. That keeps the Australian health picture simple compared with the US. If you hold private health insurance, it is usually a personal policy you keep paying yourself, so the only thing to check is whether any part of it was subsidised through your employer, in which case the cost may rise once you leave. See health insurance after quitting for the cross-country view.

Your superannuation

Your superannuation stays in your fund and remains yours. When you leave, your employer simply stops making contributions, and your balance keeps being invested. You generally cannot access super until you meet a condition of release, such as reaching preservation age, so it is not available as quitting runway. It is a good moment to check your fund and fees, but not a pot to spend now. More in retirement accounts after quitting.

JobSeeker after resigning

This is the planning caution. Leaving a job voluntarily can lead to a waiting or preclusion period before any JobSeeker payment, and eligibility also depends on income and assets tests. So do not assume immediate support after you resign. The safe approach is to size your runway without relying on JobSeeker and to check your own eligibility with Services Australia directly. Any payment you do receive is then a cushion, not the plan, which is how the quit calculator treats it.

Key takeaways

• Your notice comes from your award, agreement, or contract, commonly two to four weeks.
• Unused annual leave is paid out; check for long service leave too.
• Medicare is unaffected; check if your private health was employer-subsidised.
• Super stays in your fund and keeps growing; it is not accessible runway.
• JobSeeker can carry a waiting period after a voluntary quit, so plan without it.

Frequently asked questions

How much notice do I have to give to resign in Australia?

Your notice as a resigning employee is usually set by your award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract rather than by a single national figure, and is commonly between two and four weeks depending on your role and length of service. Check the instrument that covers you, and serve the notice it requires to keep your final pay and reference clean.

Do I get paid out for unused annual leave when I quit in Australia?

Yes. Under the National Employment Standards, accrued but unused annual leave is paid out when you leave a job. Depending on your years of service and your state or territory, you may also be entitled to a long service leave payment. Confirm both in your final pay figure.

What happens to my superannuation when I quit in Australia?

Your superannuation stays in your fund and remains yours. Your employer simply stops making contributions once you leave, and your balance continues to be invested. You generally cannot access super until you meet a condition of release such as reaching preservation age, so it is not available as quitting runway.

Can I get JobSeeker if I quit my job in Australia?

Leaving a job voluntarily can result in a waiting or preclusion period before any JobSeeker payment, and eligibility also depends on income and assets tests. Do not assume immediate support after resigning. Plan your runway without relying on it and check your eligibility with Services Australia directly.

People also ask

Does Medicare change if I quit my job in Australia?

No. Medicare is based on residency, not employment, so leaving a job does not affect your access to it. If you hold private health insurance, that is usually a personal policy you keep paying yourself, so check whether any part of it was subsidised by your employer.

When do I get my final pay after quitting in Australia?

Final pay is usually made on or shortly after your last day, with the exact timing set by your award, agreement, or contract. It should include any owed wages, accrued annual leave, and any long service leave entitlement. Get the figure confirmed in writing.

What is long service leave and do I get it if I quit?

Long service leave is an additional paid leave entitlement that accrues after a long period with the same employer, with rules set by your state or territory. Whether you receive a payout on resignation depends on how many years you have served and the relevant threshold, so check your state's rules, as it can add a meaningful sum to your final pay.

How much should I save before quitting a job in Australia?

Six months of essential expenses is a sound default. Because Medicare is unaffected and your annual leave is paid out, your runway figure is often cleaner than in the US, but you should still plan it without assuming JobSeeker income given the possible waiting period. Raise the figure for dependents, debt, or a slow market.