Probation Extension Letter Generator
Create a probation extension letter for an Australian employee with a new end date, reasons, performance expectations, reviews and support.
What Is a Probation Extension Letter?
A probation extension letter is a written notice an employer gives an employee to confirm that their probation period is being extended rather than ending on the original date. It usually sets out the new end date, the reason for the extension, and what is expected during the extended period.
What Should a Probation Extension Letter Include?
- Employee name, position and start date
- Original probation end date
- Confirmation of the extension and the new end date
- Reason for the extension
- Performance expectations and areas for improvement
- Support or training being provided
- Review dates
- Employee acknowledgement
When Can You Extend an Employee’s Probation?
Common reasons employers extend probation include needing more time to assess performance, incomplete training, changed role responsibilities, insufficient time in the role, or leave that affected the assessment period. None of these circumstances automatically create a right to extend probation — whether an extension is appropriate depends on the employee’s employment contract and any applicable award or enterprise agreement. Fair Work Ombudsman guidance on probation confirms that employees on probation keep the same entitlements as any other employee.
Probation Extension Letter Template
Use the generator above to build your own version with the full structure — performance expectations, support, review dates and acknowledgement.
How to Extend a Probation Period
- Check the employment contract for a probation clause.
- Check any applicable award or enterprise agreement.
- Confirm the original probation end date and decide on an extension length.
- Document objective, factual reasons for the extension.
- Define specific performance expectations and measurable goals.
- Set out support or training being provided.
- Set review dates during the extension.
- Generate and provide the letter to the employee.
- Keep appropriate employment records.
Probation Extension Letter vs Termination Letter
A probation extension letter confirms that employment continues under an extended assessment period. A termination letter ends employment. These serve different purposes and shouldn’t be used interchangeably — extending probation is not a way to avoid the employment-law obligations that apply to ending someone’s employment.
Probation Extension and the Fair Work Act
Probation is a contractual concept, not one the Fair Work Act defines. What the Act does set is a minimum employment period before an employee can access unfair dismissal protections. Extending a contractual probation period does not change that minimum employment period, and the two shouldn’t be confused when deciding how to handle an employee’s situation. See the Fair Work Ombudsman’s page on dismissal for how notice and dismissal interact with probation.
What Happens When Extended Probation Ends?
At the end of an extended probation period, an employer typically confirms the employee’s ongoing employment, decides that further extension is needed, or ends the employment. Whichever outcome applies, it should be based on the performance expectations and review process set out in the extension letter, and documented consistently with the employment contract and any applicable workplace instrument.
Related Documents
- Setting up a new hire’s probation clause from scratch? See our Employment Contract Generator.
- Need to issue a formal written warning instead of an extension? See our Written Warning Letter Generator.
- Is the employee resigning instead? See our Resignation Letter Generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a probation extension letter?
A probation extension letter is a written notice from an employer to an employee confirming that their probation period is being extended, including the new end date and the reason for the extension.
Can an employer extend probation in Australia?
This depends on the employee’s employment contract, and any applicable award or enterprise agreement. Probation itself is a contractual concept, not one defined by the Fair Work Act, so whether an extension is permitted comes down to what the contract and any applicable workplace instrument say. Check these sources, or the Fair Work Ombudsman, before extending.
How do you write a probation extension letter?
State the original probation period, confirm the new end date, give a factual reason for the extension, outline any performance expectations and support being provided, and set review dates. Keep the language objective and specific rather than vague or subjective.
What should a probation extension letter include?
Typically: the employee’s name and position, the original probation end date, confirmation of the extension and new end date, the reason, performance expectations, support or training being provided, review dates, and an employee acknowledgement section.
Can probation be extended after the original probation period ends?
This is a more sensitive situation and depends heavily on the employment contract and applicable workplace instruments. Check these carefully, and consider getting advice, before extending probation once the original period has already ended.
Methodology and Sources
This page was checked against the Fair Work Ombudsman’s probation guidance and National Employment Standards pages, current as of the last reviewed date above. OfficeDraft is not a law firm. This generator provides general document drafting assistance, not personalised legal advice, and does not determine whether extending probation is legally permissible in your specific circumstances.