Talk to your employer, like actually go in and see them, works a lot better then talking over the phone. As far as tax goes, what easty said basically, they have to take tax out of your pay, and you can claim it back at the end of the financial year (after june).

To be honest thou, considering you are quite young and unskilled (as far as I know), you might be expecting a bit too much as far as pay is concerned.

Your payslip should have a few figures on it.

It should have your gross pay; that is your pay before tax and any other deduction.

It should have your net pay; that is your pay after tax and any other deduction.

It will list deductions like tax and superannuation. These are compulsory deductions and it doesn't matter if you are under 18; you will be taxed and have a super levy taken from your pay.

Finally you should get year to date pays on your payslip.

In your interview the boss would not have discussed what you will get in the hand. How are they meant to know what your taxation arrangements are? You might have three other sources of income and be earning $200K a year for all they know.

Employers will only talk about gross pay as that is what they control.

You may not be getting your penalty rates. You need to see your paymaster about that. Its quite common for penalty rates not to come through straight away as its more complex than paying your hourly rate. Make sure the paymaster has your timesheet and knows what penalties you are receiving. Being a new employee it takes a bit of time to sort it out. Sounds like they put on a fair few people at once so be patient.

They will then adjust your pay next payday and pay your penalties. Don't stress out about it. Just let them know and they will sort it out.