Should I include one total only?

A period-by-period calculation is easier to check and respond to.

What if the employer disputes my hours?

Identify the specific periods and records rather than arguing about the entire employment history.

Should I mention a legal pay rate?

Only after verifying the correct rule, classification and jurisdiction.

Does my response date become a legal deadline?

No. A requested response date is a planning date unless an applicable law, order or formal process creates a separate deadline.

What if payroll agrees there is an error?

Record the correction promised, payment date and corrected payslip or statement.

GetInstantResolve guide

Prepare a clear unpaid wage request

A clear unpaid-wage request should identify the pay periods or entitlements in dispute, explain how the difference was calculated, refer to the supporting records and state the response or payment requested. Keep the tone factual. Verify the correct legal rate and recovery route for the applicable employment system before presenting an entitlement as certain.

Prepare my wage request Organise my wage evidence

General information only — not legal advice · Reviewed 2 October 2026

General resolution guideChoose country and region before relying on jurisdiction-specific legal steps, deadlines or escalation routes.

Choose location

VISUAL COMMUNICATION FLOW

Facts first. One request. Then track the reply.

1 · FACTSReconcile each pay period

Keep the message tied to the record.

2 · REQUESTIdentify the source for hours and rates

One clear request is easier to answer.

3 · RESPONSEState the correction requested

The next action follows what actually happened.

Keep it simple:What happened → what you want → when you need a reply → what you will review next.

Reconcile each pay period

Use one row per pay period so the employer can check the calculation without reverse-engineering a lump sum.

Identify the source for hours and rates

Link rosters, timesheets, payslips, contract terms and any verified award or statutory rate separately.

State the correction requested

Ask for a specific payroll review, corrected payslip, payment or written explanation.

Set a planning response date

Use a reasonable date for the employer to respond, but label it as your planning date. Keep any statutory, agency or court filing deadline separate, source-labelled and visible.

Practical plan

Pay period	Expected	Paid	Difference	Supporting record
1–14 May	A$—	A$—	A$—	Roster R01 + payslip P01

Insert verified figures from your own records.

Important limitation

GetInstantResolve helps prepare the request; it does not determine the correct legal rate or calculate an entitlement without verified inputs.

Related resolution guides

Keep moving the matter forward

Employer not answering a pay complaint Resolve an employment dispute Workplace dispute communication plan

Continue the journey

Use the right tool for the next job

GetInstantProofBuild the pay-period evidence record first.GetInstantResolvePlan the follow-up if the employer does not respond.GetInstantLawCheck legal information for your country and state or region.

Common questions