Day 5

💰 My First Payday in Australia

You have started your first job. Learn how to understand your payslip, check whether your salary arrived, provide your bank details, and ask about bank fees.

🎯 Today's Mission

  1. Understand your payslip.
  2. Check whether your salary arrived.
  3. Provide your bank details.
  4. Ask about unexpected bank fees.

Study Before the Lesson

Learn these words first. Look at the image, read the pronunciation, and guess the meaning before starting the roleplay.

Salary payment
salary
/ˈsæl.ər.i/
fixed payment from your employer
Payslip document
payslip
/ˈpeɪ.slɪp/
a record of your earnings and deductions
Gross pay
gross pay
/ɡrəʊs peɪ/
your pay before tax or deductions
Net pay
net pay
/net peɪ/
the money you actually receive
Bank account details
BSB
/ˌbiː.esˈbiː/
the Australian bank branch number
Superannuation
superannuation
/ˌsuː.pə.ræn.juˈeɪ.ʃən/
retirement savings paid by your employer
👷 Monday
Start Work
💵 Friday
Payday
❓Salary Missing
🏦 Visit Bank
✅ Problem Solved
🇦🇺 Australian Tip

Many workers in Australia are paid every fortnight by direct deposit. Employers usually need your BSB and account number.

Scenario 5A — My Salary Didn’t Arrive

Your Mission

You expected your salary today, but it is not in your account yet.

Useful Expressions

I haven’t received my salary yet.
Could you check my payment?
When should it arrive?

Scenario 5B — Understanding My Payslip

Your Mission

Read your payslip and answer the questions below.

ItemAmount
Gross Pay\$1,178
Tax-\$183
Super\$135
Net Pay\$995

Questions

What is the gross pay?
How much tax was deducted?
What is the net pay?

Scenario 5C — Find Your BSB Number (IRL)

🎯 Your Mission

You have just arrived in Sydney and opened a Commonwealth Bank account. Your employer needs your BSB number before they can pay your salary.

🏦 Your Bank Branch

Bank: Commonwealth Bank
Branch: 210 Burwood Road, Burwood, NSW 2000
Australia

🔎 Task

1. Open Google Search
2. Search: Commonwealth Bank 210 Burwood Road, Burwood, NSW 2000
3. Find the correct BSB number.
4. Tell your teacher the BSB number.
💡 Real Life

Australian employers need both your BSB and your account number to pay your salary.

Scenario 5D — Unexpected Bank Fee

Your Mission

Ask why you were charged a fee and how to avoid it next time.

Useful Expressions

Why was I charged this fee?
Can you explain this charge?
How can I avoid it in future?

After the Roleplay — IELTS Speaking Practice

Part 1 — Introduction and Interview

(4–5 mins)

Answer template

Answer directly → explain → add an example.

Yes, I have. / No, not really. Usually, I try to ___ because ___. For example, when I received ___, I decided to ___. Overall, I think ___ because ___.

  • Have you ever had a problem with a bank transaction?

    Yes, I have. Once my salary did not arrive on time, so I called the bank to check the payment.

  • How do you feel when you check your bank account?

    I feel careful and focused. I want to make sure all payments are correct and nothing is missing.

  • What do you do if you see a bank fee you do not understand?

    I ask the bank for an explanation and compare the charge with my account details.

Part 2 — Cue Card

(1 min preparation · 1–2 mins speaking)

Describe a time when you had to ask about your salary, payslip, or a bank fee.

  • what happened
  • why you were worried
  • what you did
  • and explain how it ended
Answer template

I'd like to talk about a time when ___. This happened when ___. I felt worried because ___. To deal with the situation, I first ___. After that, I ___. In the end, ___. Looking back, I learned ___.

Sample answer

I'd like to talk about a time when my salary did not arrive on payday. I felt worried because I needed the money to pay bills. I contacted payroll and the bank. In the end, I found out the payment was delayed because the employer used the wrong account number, and the bank corrected it.

Part 3 — Discussion

(4–5 mins)

Answer template

State opinion → explain → compare → example.

In my opinion, ___. One reason is ___. For example, ___. However, ___. Overall, ___.

  • Why is it important to understand your payslip?

    It is important because the payslip shows your gross pay, deductions, and net pay. This helps you know if your salary is correct.

  • How can banks help customers avoid unexpected fees?

    Banks can provide clearer information and send notifications before charging a fee.

  • Should people ask for help when they are not sure about bank information?

    Yes, they should. It is better to ask and clarify than to make a mistake with money.

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