My payslip shows one total: which entries should I check?

A bank deposit is not a complete payslip

Under Australian national-system workplace laws, your employer must give you a payslip within one working day of payday. The payslip must show the pay period, your employer's name, your gross pay and your net pay. Depending on how you are paid, it must also show your pay rate, hours worked, deductions and superannuation contributions. Leave balances are not generally required on a payslip, but you can ask your employer for them separately. Some sensitive leave, such as family or domestic violence leave, must not be identified openly in ordinary payslip entries.

A bank deposit alone is not a payslip. Even if the amount matches your expectation, you still need the written payslip to verify the details. If you have not received one, ask for it and keep a copy in a secure personal location, rather than relying only on access to an employer portal.

Compare one pay period at a time

To check your payslip, start by matching the deposit date and amount with the payslip date and the pay period shown. Then compare your ordinary hours against your roster and any relevant time records, such as timesheets or clock-in logs. Separate extra payments, like overtime or allowances, from deductions, like tax or salary sacrifice. A change in your net total can be caused by tax, hours worked, or another item. Before concluding that your hourly rate has fallen, identify which component actually changed. Keep your comparison factual and dated, so you can refer to it later if you need to raise a question.

Request missing explanations

If your payslip is not itemised or a deduction is unclear, ask payroll for an itemised payslip or the basis of the specific deduction. For superannuation, compare the fund name shown on the payslip with your own super fund records. A displayed intended contribution is not proof that the money has been received by your fund. If you need leave balances, request them separately from the payslip. Keep copies of all relevant documents in a secure personal location, rather than relying entirely on access to an employer portal.

For an incorrect or missing payslip

If you believe your payslip is incorrect or missing, identify the affected pay period and the specific entries that are wrong. Request a correction in writing and keep a copy of the response. If the issue is not resolved, seek employment help from a community legal centre, union, or the Fair Work Ombudsman. Bring your payslip, bank records, and any applicable pay rules or award. This guide does not make every deduction lawful or calculate your tax. It helps you separate missing information from a confirmed underpayment, so your next request addresses the actual discrepancy.

Hypothetical illustration: net pay changes but rate does not

Suppose your net pay this fortnight is $200 less than last fortnight, and your payslip shows the same hourly rate and the same number of ordinary hours. You check the deductions and see that tax has increased. You also notice a new deduction labelled 'uniform'. You do not know the basis for that deduction. You ask payroll for the reason and the calculation. The question you raise is: 'What is the basis for the uniform deduction, and can you show me the calculation?' This focuses on the specific item, rather than assuming the hourly rate has dropped.

Next steps if unresolved

If after requesting an itemised payslip or a deduction explanation the issue remains unresolved, gather your payslips, bank statements, roster or time records, and any written correspondence with payroll. Take these to an employment adviser or the Fair Work Ombudsman. Explain which pay period and which entry is in dispute. Do not assume that a missing explanation means an underpayment; it may be a record-keeping problem. The adviser can help you determine whether the information is missing or whether you have been underpaid, and what to do next.

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