Generally, a person on work experience with an employer will be observing what happens in that job and in that workplace.  Work experience placements are usually for a week or two.

The person on work experience will get the main benefit from the placement, and may complete some productive work in the workplace for the employer, but there is no expectation for them to do so.

Work experience positions are classed as unpaid work.

A student, as part of their vocational course, may be required to complete a short placement in a workplace.  The placement must be agreed to and approved by the education and training provider.

The person on their placement will get the main benefit from the placement, and may complete some productive work in the workplace for the employer, but there is no expectation for them to do so.

Vocational or student placements are classed as unpaid work.

Unpaid Trials

If a job is vacant in a workplace, and that job requires someone with specific skills, an employer may ask a prospective worker to complete a trial period.  This trial period is so that the person can demonstrate that they have the skills necessary for the position.

A person in a trial position should be directly supervised for the whole trial period – the length of the trial could vary depending on the skills needed or the complexity of the job, but generally could last from one hour to one whole shift.

In this case, the trial period is unpaid.

Paid Trials

If the job does not require the applicant to have any specific skills, or the person on trial is asked to complete more work for longer than is reasonably necessary to demonstrate the skills required, the employer should pay the person on trial for their hours worked.

A person on a paid trial should be paid the appropriate part-time minimum rate, or the appropriate casual rate, and may be put on a probationary period.

If you think that you should be being paid for your work trial, you can find more information on the Fair Work website.  For more information and advice, you can also contact Skills Tasmania or the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94, anytime between 8:30am and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Unpaid Internships

Sometimes an employer may recruit a person on an internship.  An intern will observe what happens in that job or that workplace, and can be in the position for a week or two or for a specified and mutually agreed period of time, for instance over the summer school holidays.

An intern may complete some productive work for an employer, but there is no expectation for them to do so.  The benefit is mainly for the intern, in order for them to get some experience with what it is like to do that job, or to be in that workplace.

An internship such as this is classed as unpaid work.

Paid Internships

Sometimes an employer may recruit a person on an internship, with the intention that the intern complete productive work.  Sometimes, an intern in this position may be given the promise of employment after they have completed their education or training.

If the intern is completing productive work that would normally be completed by a paid employee, then the intern (regardless of any unpaid arrangements made) is lawfully required to be paid for each hour that they work.

If you are unsure whether you should be being paid by an employer in this circumstance, you can get more information from the Fair Work website, or you can call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94, anytime between 8:30am and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.  You can also contact Skills Tasmania for information, advice and support.