Variation of Contract Letter

Who can use this document?

This document can be used by all employers.

Commentary

The Variation of Contract Letter is used to confirm and record changes to an existing contract of employment. Contractual changes require the mutual agreement of both the employer and employee, and a Variation of Contract Letter must therefore be signed by the employee in order to take effect.

The Variation of Contract Letter can be used to alter an employee’s:

• Employment status*

• Hours of work

• Award classification

• Rate of pay

• Position title

• Location of work

and other employment conditions in the contract of employment.

*Where an employee’s status is converting from permanent to casual, or vice versa, a new contract of employment should be issued.

Note that this letter CANNOT be used to change an employee’s legislative entitlements, such as rights to access paid leave, submit worker’s compensation claims, or be paid at or above the national minimum wage.