The Clerks Award sets out rules for rostering, hours of work and overtime for shiftworkers. These rules are different to the rules that apply to non-shiftworkers.

For information on whether an employee is a shiftworker or a non-shiftworker, see Changing between working shiftwork and non-shiftwork in the Clerks Award.

Rosters and ordinary hours

Shiftworkers can be rostered for up to 6 shifts a week, including on Sundays.

For more information on afternoon, night and permanent night shift hours see Shiftworkers - Fair Work Ombudsman and select Clerical as the industry.

Use our Pay Calculator to calculate shift penalty rates.

The maximum number of ordinary hours a shiftworker can work per week before overtime will apply is 38 hours. This can be averaged over either:

• a 4 week period, or
• a roster period of up to 12 months, agreed between the employer and a majority of employees.

Roster changes

There are 2 ways to change the start or finish time of a rostered shift:

• the employer gives 7 days’ notice of the changes to the employee, or
• at any time if the employer and employee agree to it.

Make up time

By agreement with their employer, a shiftworker can take a period of time off work during their ordinary working hours and make up this time later.

The hours worked when making up time are treated as the shiftworker’s ordinary hours.

Overtime

The overtime amount paid changes depending on:

• the number of hours worked
• the reason for the overtime
• whether the shiftworker is full-time, part-time or casual.

Exceeding weekly hours

A full-time or part-time shiftworker who works for more than 38 hours per week, when averaged over 4 weeks or over a roster period of up to 12 months, is paid:

• 150% of their minimum hourly rate for the first 3 hours over 38 hours, and
• 200% of their minimum hourly rate for all hours worked after that.

Casuals are paid the 25% casual loading in addition to the overtime rate.

Exceeding daily hours

Shiftworkers who work more than 10 hours in a single ordinary shift are paid:

• 150% of their minimum hourly rate for the first 2 hours over 10 hours, and
• 200% of their minimum hourly rate for all hours worked after that.

Casuals are paid the 25% casual loading in addition to the overtime rate.

Working overtime on Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday

A minimum of 4 hours’ overtime must be paid when a shiftworker works overtime on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday and:

• they wouldn’t normally be rostered to work on that day
• the hours worked aren’t directly before or after a shift they normally work.

Penalty rates won’t apply

Shiftwork penalty rates aren’t paid when a shiftworker is paid overtime.