Resigning from your job

How to resign

Resigning is when you tell your employer that you want to quit your job. You can do this by telling your employer verbally, or in writing. However, it is best to do this writing. You should give your employer a letter of resignation that:

• is addressed to your employer
• includes the date
• states that you are resigning from your job
• states your last day of work
• is signed by you.

If you need help to draft your letter of resignation, you can use the Letter of resignation template tool on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

You can resign when you are on leave, or before you take leave. This includes unpaid leave.

Your employer can’t choose whether to accept or reject your resignation.

Minimum notice period

If you want to leave your job, you may need to give your employer notice. The minimum amount of notice you need to give may be stated in your:

• employment contract
• award, or
• enterprise agreement.

The notice period begins the day after you give your employer your resignation letter and ends on your last day of work. You can give more than the minimum notice.

Your job should remain the same during the notice period, unless your employer asks you to perform different duties, for example, training another employee to do your work and handing over responsibilities.

During the notice period, you should be paid in the same way as before you resigned.

For more information, see Resignation on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

No notice period

If you are a causal employee, you don’t have to give your employer notice of your resignation. However, you should tell your employer that you are resigning and when your last day of work will be.

You also don’t have to give notice at the end of an employment contract that is only for a specific period.

For more information, see Who doesn't get notice on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

Insufficient notice

Wherever possible, you should try your best to give your employer the minimum notice of your resignation. However, sometimes this may not be possible.

If you don’t give your employer enough notice of your resignation, they may be able to take away or deduct some of your pay. The deduction must be reasonable. For example, if you give one weeks’ notice but you needed to give two, your employer may deduct one weeks’ pay from your final pay.

The amount that your employer can deduct from your final pay will depend on your award, enterprise agreement or employment contract.

Some awards or enterprise agreements may not allow your employer to deduct your pay for insufficient notice.

Your employer can only deduct your wages or salary. They can’t deduct from your leave or other entitlements. They also can’t deduct your pay for reasons not allowed under your award, enterprise agreement or employment contract.

Your employer can’t deduct your pay if they have agreed to a shorter notice period that what is required in your award, enterprise agreement or contract.

Taking leave during the notice period

You can take any leave that you have accrued or are entitled to during your notice period if your employer agrees. You still need to give your employer reasonable notice if you want to take leave.

If your leave ends before the notice period ends, you will need to return to work for the remainder of the notice period.

If you are going to take sick leave, you need to let your employer know as soon as possible. Your employer may ask you for proof evidence that you can’t work, like a medical certificate.

For more information, see Leave.

Ending the notice period early

After you resign, your employer might want to talk to you about ending the notice period early. They may do this if they decide they don’t want you to work during the notice period. They can do this:

• when you resign, or
• at any time during the notice period.

Your employer may:

• ask to make an agreement to end your employment early, or
• end your employment before the end of the notice period.

After you resign, you and your employer can agree to end your employment earlier that the minimum notice period. However, you are still entitled to be paid for the minimum notice period and any leave and other entitlements you have earned.

Instead of giving you the required period of notice, your employer can pay you an amount equal to your wages for the period of notice you are entitled to and ask you to leave straight away. This is called a payment in lieu of notice. If you employer decides to end your employment before the end of the notice period, they must tell you in writing, unless you are a casual employee.

For more information, see Dismissed by your employer.

Forced resignation

A resignation is valid if it is made freely and voluntarily.

Forced resignation is when you employer does something that leaves you with no choice but to resign. This can be because of:

• bullying
• sexual harassment
• underpayment or non-payment of wages and entitlements
• work health and safety issues.

Forced resignation is also called constructive dismissal. It is a type of unfair dismissal.

Before you resign, you should get legal advice.

For more information, see Forced resignation.

Withdrawing your resignation

If you give your employer a clear, unmistakable letter of resignation, your employer is entitled to accept and rely on your resignation.

If you want to withdraw your resignation, you must speak to your employer as soon as possible. You may need to send your employer a written request to withdraw your resignation.  

You should go to work as normal while you wait for a response from your employer.

Special circumstances

In special circumstances, it may be unreasonable for your employer to accept your resignation immediately. An example of special circumstances might be where you made an impulsive decision to resign, such as after an argument, or while you were under extreme pressure.

In these circumstances, your employer must take some additional steps before they can accept your resignation. Your employer should:

• allow a reasonable amount of time to confirm that you want to resign
• confirm with you that you really meant to resign, if it looks like this may not have been the case.

If your employer doesn’t take these steps, and accepts your resignation when you have special circumstances, you may be able to make a claim for unfair dismissal.

For more information, see Unfair dismissal.

Last updated: January 2026