Penalty Rates Explained Australia 2025
Your guide to weekend, public holiday, and night shift pay
IntuitiveCalc Team
Financial Content Specialist
Published: 7 January 2025
| 10 min read
What are penalty rates? Extra pay for working outside normal business hours - weekends, public holidays, early mornings, and late nights. They compensate for sacrificing personal time.
Standard Penalty Rates by Industry
| Industry | Saturday | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail (casual) | 150% | 175% | 275% |
| Hospitality (casual) | 150% | 175% | 275% |
| Fast Food (casual) | 125% | 150% | 275% |
| Healthcare | 150% | 175% | 250% |
| Warehousing | 150% | 200% | 250% |
How Penalty Rates Work
Calculation Example
If your base rate is $28/hour (casual):
- Saturday 150%: $28 x 1.50 = $42/hr
- Sunday 175%: $28 x 1.75 = $49/hr
- Public Holiday 275%: $28 x 2.75 = $77/hr
Night & Evening Loadings
| Time Period | Typical Loading |
|---|---|
| Evening (after 6pm) | 10-15% or flat allowance |
| Night Shift (10pm-6am) | 15-30% |
| Early Morning (before 6am) | 15-25% |
Public Holidays in Australia
National Public Holidays 2025
- New Year's Day (1 Jan)
- Australia Day (27 Jan)
- Good Friday (18 Apr)
- Easter Saturday (19 Apr)
- Easter Monday (21 Apr)
- Anzac Day (25 Apr)
- Queen's Birthday (varies by state)
- Christmas Day (25 Dec)
- Boxing Day (26 Dec)
Full-Time vs Casual Penalty Rates
Full-time/Part-time
- Saturday: 125%
- Sunday: 150%
- Public Holiday: 250%
Casual (includes 25% loading)
- Saturday: 150%
- Sunday: 175%
- Public Holiday: 275%
Real Earnings Examples
| Shift | Hours | Rate ($28 base) | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday | 8 | $28.00 | $224.00 |
| Saturday | 8 | $42.00 | $336.00 |
| Sunday | 8 | $49.00 | $392.00 |
| Public Holiday | 8 | $77.00 | $616.00 |
Your Rights
- Can't be forced: You can refuse public holiday work on reasonable grounds
- Must be paid: Employers can't avoid penalty rates
- Check your award: Rates vary by industry at fairwork.gov.au
- Keep records: Track your hours to verify your payslip