A Resignation letter template is a formal, written notification from an employee to their employer stating their decision to end their employment. It is considered best practice to submit your letter of resignation template in writing, as it creates a clear, documented record of your final day of employment.
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Use this free letter of resignation template to professionally and concisely notify your employer of your decision to leave your position in Australia. A well-structured letter of resignation letter example is an important final step to ensure a smooth transition and maintain a positive professional relationship.
Docusign's resignation letter template is easily customisable and helps you clearly state your intentions and your final date of employment, which is necessary for calculating your minimum notice period. Once you have completed the letter, you can securely send the document via a Docusign envelope to your manager or HR department. After the document is sent, you’ll have a secure, verifiable copy of your official notice stored in your Docusign account, and you can still download and print out a hard copy if needed.
In Australia, when an employee resigns, they may be required to give their employer a minimum notice period. This notice period is typically specified in the employee's employment contract, a Modern Award, or an Enterprise Agreement. If no written notice period is specified, the employee may be required to give "reasonable notice," which is assessed based on factors like their position and length of service.
The notice period begins the day after you give your employer notice of your intention to end your employment and ends on your last day of employment. The letter's primary purpose is to clearly communicate this final date. It is important to remain polite and professional in the letter, avoiding any criticism, to leave a positive final impression.
This resignation letter template is designed for use by all permanent (full-time or part-time) employees in Australia who are formally notifying their employer of their decision to resign.
The template is essential for:
Full-Time and Part-Time Employees: To meet the notice requirements of their contract, Award, or the NES.
Employees Seeking to Maintain a Professional Relationship: It sets a professional tone for the exit and handover process.
Employees Resigning During a Probationary Period: To ensure they comply with the (often shorter) notice period specified in their contract for that period.
Note: Casual employees are generally not required to give notice, though providing a letter of resignation is still considered best practice.
The primary purpose of the letter of resignation is to clearly and unambiguously communicate the employee's decision to end the employment relationship and to formalise the key dates of that decision. By issuing the letter, the employee:
Gives Formal Notice: It clearly states the employee's intent to resign from their position.
Sets the Final Date: It locks in the last day of employment in accordance with the required notice period, which is necessary for the employer's planning and final pay calculations.
Opens the Handover Process: It signals the start of the transition period and demonstrates the employee's commitment to assisting with the handover of duties.
Creates a Legal Record: It provides the employee with proof that the required notice was given on a specific date, protecting them from a deduction of wages for insufficient notice.
To ensure a professional and effective document, the resignation letter template should include the following core information:
Your Details and Date: The current date, your full contact details, and the contact details of your manager/company.
Clear Statement of Resignation: A simple, formal statement of your intent to resign from your position.
Position Title and Company: Your job title and the name of the company.
Final Day of Employment: The date that will be your last day of employment, calculated based on the required notice period.
Reference to Notice Period: A note to confirm that the final day is in accordance with your required notice period (as per your contract, Award, or the NES).
Offer of Handover Assistance (Recommended): A professional commitment to assist with the handover of duties to ensure a smooth transition.
Optional Gratitude: A brief, polite thank you for the opportunities and experience gained (optional, but recommended).
Disclaimer: These templates are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. They should not be construed as regulatory, legal, or privacy law compliant. The templates are not a substitute for professional legal advice and should not be relied upon for any specific situation or circumstance. Users are strongly advised to consult with a qualified attorney licensed in their jurisdiction before using or adapting these templates.
The templates are provided on an "as is", "with all faults" and "as available" basis. To the extent permitted by law, the provider expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, statutory, or otherwise, including but not limited to any warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Docusign does not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials in these templates or otherwise relating to such materials or on any sites linked to these templates. Notwithstanding the above, nothing in this disclaimer is intended to exclude or limit any rights that cannot be excluded under Australian law, including the Australian Consumer Law.
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