Dodge Thousands in Fines, Keep Great Staff: Onboarding Checklist

Published

13 Jun 2025

Dodge Thousands in Fines, Keep Great Staff: Onboarding Checklist

For businesses with under 10 staff

Did you know that missing just one onboarding step – like failing to issue the right Fair Work documents – could cost you thousands in penalties and fines?

If that made you sit up – you’ll be equally shocked to learn that 22% of Aussie SMEs surveyed recently have experienced new starters leave within the first 1-2 weeks: at a whopping loss of $8k per hire.

These are just some of the consequences of bad onboarding.

Getting new hires set up correctly is one of the simplest ways to avoid these risks. But when you’re running on a shoestring, it can feel impossible to double-check every requirement, and onboard with confidence.

This checklist cuts through the noise – not just to help you “tick the boxes,” but to make sure you’re avoiding the most common mistakes small businesses make when hiring new staff:

Not issuing a Fair Work documentation on or before the employee’s first day
Skipping written contracts
Dropping the ball on day-one tech, training and peer support
Missing superannuation standard choice forms or tax file number (TFN) declarations
Failing to log issued equipment in an asset register
Neglecting to communicate entitlements and award classification
Not setting up proper payroll or timesheet processes from day one

From Fair Work compliance to first-day essentials, this is your go-to guide to onboarding right – without the overwhelm. Don’t rely on memory alone – use it each time a new hire starts. It could save you thousands in fines and ensure new starters stick around for the long-haul.

Download the checklist today.