Fixed term employment contract – PDF, free to download

Fixed term employment contract – Get the PDF, available free for download

When an employer needs to appoint someone for a defined period, unclear dates, duties, or ending arrangements can create avoidable uncertainty for both sides. A fixed term employment contract sets out the agreed employment period, role, pay, working conditions, and circumstances connected with the position. Downloading this PDF provides a structured starting point for recording those terms before work begins. It can help organise essential information for temporary projects, parental leave cover, seasonal work, or other roles intended to finish on an agreed date. The document should be reviewed against the applicable law and workplace requirements before signing.

Fixed term employment contract: key clauses

• Identifies the employer, employee, job title, workplace, and main duties.
• Records the commencement date, expected end date, hours, remuneration, and payment arrangements.
• Provides space for probation, leave, confidentiality, intellectual property, and workplace policies.
• Helps document renewal arrangements, notice expectations, and conditions affecting early termination.
• Can be adapted for project appointments, seasonal roles, temporary replacement work, or other time-limited positions.

The file is useful when employment is intended to last for a specific period rather than continue indefinitely, but its wording should match the actual arrangement. From 6 December 2023, new rules apply under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) when engaging employees on fixed term contracts, so Australian employers should check whether statutory limits or required information affect the proposed agreement. The end date should be realistic and consistent with the role, while renewal terms should not create uncertainty about whether employment continues. Before execution, both parties should verify pay, duties, leave entitlements, termination provisions, applicable awards or enterprise agreements, and any policies incorporated into the document. Keeping a signed copy supports accurate records and gives each party a clear reference during the employment period.