Employment & Pay
Whether you have just started your ministry journey, or you’re leading a flourishing church community, a skilled and engaged ministry team can support and lead the mission to share the love of God.
One of the most challenging areas for local churches is that of the role of employer.
When you employ ministry and other staff it’s important to understand and keep-up-to date with legal and regulatory responsibilities such as:
- Fair Work Act
- National Employment Standards (NES)
- Work Health and Safety regulations
- Workers Compensation regulations
- Australian Tax Office
Fresh Hope Employment Guide for Ministers
The Fresh Hope Employment Guide for Ministers has been developed by our Mission and Ministry team with the support of our corporate human resources and payroll teams.
The Employment Guide is a framework to help our church leaders who need to employ ministers and other staff. In the Guide you will find information to help you in the areas below.
Recruitment guidelines
- Advertising positions
- Selection process
- Employment checks – Police Check, Working with Children Check, Visa Check
- Employment contract
- Appointment of a minister – Ministry Employment Agreement
The Ministry Employment Agreement confirms a minister’s terms of employment. It’s the basis of the partnership between the minister and the church and should be kept under review.
The Fair Work Information Statement outlines an employee’s basic rights under the law. All employees must receive a copy of this statement when they start.
Read more about the National Employment Standards.
Conditions of employment
- Code of Conduct
- Leave and hours of work
- Husband and wife ministries
- Workers compensation and superannuation
State Insurance Regulatory Authority regulates workers compensation insurance in NSW.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has information for employers on employee leave entitlements and working hours.
Paying ministers and staff
- Remuneration levels
- Minister’s accommodation
- Salary packaging
- Exempt benefits & GST
- Expenses
Remuneration levels for ministers are approved each year by the Fresh Hope Conference Executives and are available by contacting our Mission and Ministry or payroll teams.
Other church employees are employed under the relevant employment award which outlines the pay rates and conditions of employment.
Ministry review, evaluation and development
- Endorsement
- Mentoring and spiritual direction
- Ongoing Professional Development
- Review and evaluation
Ending employment
Ministers and staff may choose to leave your ministry for various reasons such as a call to another ministry position, other employment opportunities or possibly for health or personal reasons.
Your ministry may also find it necessary to terminate a minister or staff member.
As a church leader you need to be aware of the entitlements of the minister or staff member and the legal obligations of the church. See Fair Work – Ending Employment.
Keeping staff and church records
It is important that you maintain accurate records in relation to church employee files, payslips and payroll calculations. See Fair Work – Record-keeping.
Request your copy of the Employment Guide
Contact our Mission and Ministry team to request your copy of the Employment Guide.
View the table of contents of the Employment Guide for Ministers (PDF).
Fresh Hope templates
These templates are available from our Mission and Ministry team:
- Church Profile template
- Position Description template
- Contract of Employment template
Employment & pay resources
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work website has information and advice on pay, leave, employee entitlements and employer obligations
Templates & Guides – Fair Work Ombudsman
Fair Work templates and guides for employers to use when employing staff
Small Business Showcase - Fair Work
Templates and training for employers to use when hiring managing employees
Visa Checks – Department of Home Affairs
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) where employers can check visa conditions
Fair Work Commission
The Commission deals with unfair dismissal, anti-bullying, enterprise agreements and awards
iCare – Workers Compensation Insurance
iCare provides workers compensation insurance to NSW employers
Fringe benefits tax – ATO
A guide for employers on fringe benefits tax
Tax Tables - ATO
Shows how much to withhold from payments made to employees
Superannuation – ATO
Guide and resources for employers on managing superannuation requirements
Social Security Guide – ministers of religion
Social Security Guide – Income test treatment of ministers of religion