The Ethical Accountant

Youth Employment Hub

Reference

Glossary of Terms

Key financial and employment terms explained in simple language

Showing 44 of 44 terms

Tax File Number (TFN)
Taxation

A unique 9-digit number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to individuals and organisations. It's used to identify you in the tax system.

Example: When you start a new job, your employer will ask for your TFN to ensure they withhold the correct amount of tax from your pay.

Tax-Free Threshold
Taxation

The amount of income you can earn each financial year before you need to pay tax. In Australia, this is currently $18,200.

Example: If you earn $15,000 in a year, you won't pay any income tax because it's below the $18,200 threshold.

Income Tax
Taxation

A tax that the government charges on money you earn from work, investments, or other sources. The amount depends on how much you earn.

Tax Return
Taxation

A form you submit to the ATO each year (usually through myGov) to report your income and claim any tax you're owed back.

Example: If your employer withheld tax but you earned under $18,200, you can get that money back by lodging a tax return.

Financial Year
Taxation

The 12-month period used for tax purposes in Australia, running from 1 July to 30 June the following year.

Example: The 2025-26 financial year runs from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.

PAYG (Pay As You Go)
Taxation

A system where your employer withholds tax from your wages and sends it directly to the ATO on your behalf.

Tax Withholding
Taxation

The amount of tax your employer takes out of your pay before you receive it, based on your income and TFN declaration.

Superannuation (Super)
Superannuation

Money set aside by your employer during your working life for your retirement. It's invested and grows over time.

Example: If you earn $1,000, your employer must pay an extra $120 (12%) into your super fund.

Superannuation Guarantee
Superannuation

The minimum percentage of your ordinary earnings that your employer must pay into your super fund. Currently 12% in Australia.

Super Fund
Superannuation

A financial institution that holds and invests your superannuation money until you retire.

Example: Popular super funds include AustralianSuper, REST, and Hostplus.

Compound Interest
Superannuation

Interest calculated on both the initial amount and the accumulated interest from previous periods. This helps your super grow faster over time.

Example: If you have $1,000 earning 7% interest, after one year you have $1,070. The next year, you earn 7% on $1,070, not just $1,000.

Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE)
Superannuation

Your regular wages or salary, including some allowances and bonuses, used to calculate your super guarantee contributions.

Preservation Age
Superannuation

The age at which you can access your superannuation. For most Australians, this is between 55 and 60, depending on when you were born.

Fair Work Act
Employment

The main law governing employment in Australia. It sets out minimum wages, leave entitlements, and workplace rights.

National Employment Standards (NES)
Employment

11 minimum workplace entitlements that apply to all employees in Australia, including leave, hours of work, and notice periods.

Minimum Wage
Employment

The lowest amount an employer can legally pay you per hour. Australia has different rates for adults, juniors, and apprentices.

Example: As of July 2024, the national minimum wage for adults is $24.10 per hour.

Award
Employment

A legal document that sets out minimum pay rates and conditions for employees in a particular industry or occupation.

Example: The General Retail Industry Award sets minimum wages and conditions for retail workers.

Casual Employment
Employment

Work with no guaranteed hours, where you're paid a higher hourly rate (casual loading) instead of receiving paid leave.

Part-Time Employment
Employment

Regular work with set hours that are less than full-time (usually under 38 hours per week), with access to leave entitlements.

Full-Time Employment
Employment

Regular work with set hours, typically 38 hours per week, with full access to leave entitlements and benefits.

Casual Loading
Employment

An extra percentage (usually 25%) added to casual workers' hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave.

Penalty Rates
Employment

Higher pay rates for working at certain times, such as weekends, public holidays, or late nights.

Example: You might earn 1.5x your normal rate for working on a Saturday.

Payslip
Employment

A document from your employer showing your earnings, tax withheld, super contributions, and any deductions for a pay period.

Annual Leave
Employment

Paid time off work for holidays. Full-time and part-time employees get 4 weeks per year.

Sick Leave (Personal Leave)
Employment

Paid time off when you're unwell or need to care for a sick family member. Full-time employees get 10 days per year.

Fair Work Ombudsman
Employment

A government agency that helps workers understand their rights and resolves workplace disputes.

Budget
Finance

A plan for how you'll spend and save your money over a period of time, usually weekly or monthly.

50/30/20 Rule
Finance

A budgeting guideline where 50% of income goes to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment.

Example: If you earn $500, you'd spend $250 on needs (rent, food), $150 on wants (entertainment), and save $100.

Emergency Fund
Finance

Money set aside for unexpected expenses like car repairs, medical bills, or job loss. Aim for 3-6 months of expenses.

Interest Rate
Finance

The percentage charged on borrowed money (loans, credit cards) or earned on saved money (savings accounts).

Savings Account
Finance

A bank account designed for storing money you don't need immediately, often earning interest on your balance.

Transaction Account
Finance

A bank account for everyday spending, allowing easy access to your money through cards and transfers.

Direct Debit
Finance

An automatic payment arrangement where money is taken from your account on a set schedule to pay bills or subscriptions.

Credit
Finance

Borrowed money that you must pay back, usually with interest. Includes credit cards and loans.

Debit
Finance

Money taken directly from your own bank account when you make a purchase or payment.

BSB Number
Finance

A 6-digit code identifying which bank and branch your account belongs to. Needed for receiving payments.

Mental Health
Mental Health

Your emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how you think, feel, and act in daily life.

Stress
Mental Health

Your body's response to pressure or demands. Some stress is normal, but too much can affect your health and wellbeing.

Anxiety
Mental Health

Feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. It's normal but can become a problem if persistent.

Self-Care
Mental Health

Activities and practices you do regularly to maintain and improve your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Example: Self-care includes getting enough sleep, exercising, eating well, and taking breaks when needed.

Work-Life Balance
Mental Health

The balance between time spent working and time spent on personal life, including family, friends, and hobbies.

Burnout
Mental Health

A state of physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, often from work or study pressures.

Resilience
Mental Health

The ability to cope with and recover from difficult situations, setbacks, or challenges.

Support Network
Mental Health

The people in your life who provide emotional support, advice, and help when you need it.

Example: Your support network might include family, friends, teachers, counsellors, or mentors.

Quick Reference Numbers
Key figures you should know

$18,200

Tax-free threshold per year

12%

Super guarantee rate

$24.10/hr

National minimum wage (adult)

25%

Typical casual loading