As an employer, understand your essential employment obligations with this free LegalVision factsheet.
What Is an Employment Separation Certificate and When Do I Need to Provide One?
As an employer, you have legal obligations when you terminate an employee. For example, if you are an employer terminating an employee, you must complete an employment separation certificate upon request. Indeed, it is important that as an employer you take such obligations seriously to avoid issues in the future. Therefore, this article will explain what this certificate is for employers who have terminated an employee, to help you understand and navigate this obligation.
What Is an Employment Separation Certificate?
An employment separation certificate is a form that Services Australia issues. Indeed, it is up to you as the employer to complete the Services Australia form within 14 days after a request. This certificate provides relevant employment information for the terminated employee. Furthermore, a completed certificate enables Centrelink to assess and pay income support payments to eligible recipients.
An employment separation certificate includes:
- the terminated employee and employer details;
- employment details;
- the reason for separation from the company;
- the terminated employee’s final gross payment;
- any unused leave payments; and
- redundancy payments.

Do Employers Have to Provide an Employment Separation Certificate?
Employers do not need to provide an employment separation certificate for every employee termination. However, if Services Australia, Centrelink or a terminated employee request one, you must provide it. Furthermore, you must complete and sign the Services Australia form within 14 days of receiving the request. Services Australia may also ask for this form if your employee decreases their work hours or changes their employment status from full time to casual.
Employers can complete and submit employment separation certificates using Services Australia online portal Business Hub.
Key Takeaways
Centrelink will use an employment separation certificates to assess the eligibility of income support payment claims. An employer must provide an employment separation certificate if Centrelink requests.
Therefore, if you need help with employment matters, our experienced employment lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 1300 544 755 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a document completed by an employer that provides the critical employment details of a terminated employee. It includes information about the employment period, the reason for separation, average weekly wages and any final payments. It is used by Centrelink to assess a former employee’s claim for income support payments.
Employers must provide an Employment Separation Certificate when they are requested for one by Services Australia, Centrelink or a former employee. The employer must return the completed and signed form within 14 days of the request.
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