Fixed-term employment contract.
A fixed-term employment contract with a defined end date, treatment of early termination, and the Fair Work limits on fixed-term engagement (AU). Paid leave entitlements pro-rated to the term.
FIXED-TERM EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT This Fixed-Term Employment Contract is made between [Employer Name] (ABN: [ABN]) and [Employee Name], effective from [Start Date] and ending on [End Date] (the "Term"). 1. Term. The Employee is engaged for a fixed term commencing on the Start Date and ending on the End Date. The total duration of the Term is [n] [days/weeks/months/years]…
What's inside the document.
Start date, end date, total duration. Reference to the Fair Work limits on fixed-term engagement.
Role, reporting line, location, work pattern.
Base salary or hourly rate; pro-rated leave entitlements for the term.
Reference to Fair Work limits on renewals (currently two renewals or four years total, with exceptions).
Grounds and notice for early termination by either side.
Standard confidentiality and IP assignment for the term.
What happens at term end — payment of accrued leave, return of property, exit interview.
Employer and employee signatures with date.
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
Three formats, one document.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
5 steps from download to use.
- 01Set the start date and end date explicitly. Reference the Fair Work limits where the engagement approaches them.
- 02Fill in the role, reporting line, work pattern, and compensation.
- 03Confirm whether the contract is renewable; if so, document the renewal terms now.
- 04Set the early-termination notice period for both sides.
- 05Have the employee sign and return before the start date.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this contract for time-bound engagements — parental leave covers, project-funded roles, secondments, internships beyond the standard length. AU has specific Fair Work limits on fixed-term engagement (two renewals or four years total, with defined exceptions); the contract is structured to track those.
For casual engagements use the casual contract; for permanent engagements use the standard contract. For contractor or consultant arrangements, use the contractor agreement (which is not employment).
Honest answers before you download.
- What are the Fair Work limits on fixed-term contracts?
- Currently a fixed-term contract cannot exceed two renewals or four years total in length (with exceptions for genuine roles like fixed-term replacement, project-funded work, or seasonal engagement). The template references these and flags where the limit becomes relevant.
- Are leave entitlements pro-rated?
- Yes — annual leave and personal leave accrue at the standard rate, pro-rated to the term. Public holidays are treated per the applicable award.
- What happens at term end?
- Employment ends automatically on the end date; accrued leave is paid out, company property returned, and an exit interview is conducted. The contract does not renew automatically.
This fixed-term employment contract template is a professionally drafted starting point and is not legal advice. The clauses follow current US and AU practice; adapt the document for your specific jurisdiction and have qualified counsel review any clauses you add before signing or distributing. Full disclaimer.