In Australia, employee break entitlements are governed by the National Employment Standards (NES) and various Modern Awards or Enterprise Agreements. These regulations ensure workers receive adequate rest during and between shifts, promoting health, safety, and productivity.
Breaks between shifts
Standard minimum break
- Employees are generally entitled to a minimum of 10 to 12 hours break between shifts.
- This interval allows for sufficient rest and recovery.
- In certain industries, such as retail, if an employee doesn't receive the minimum break, they may be entitled to penalty rates for the subsequent shift.
Industry variations
Specific awards may stipulate different minimum breaks. For instance:
- Aged Care Award: minimum 10-hour break between shifts.
- Cleaning Services Award: minimum 8-hour break between shifts.
- Hospitality Award: minimum 10-hour break between the end of one day's ordinary hours and the start of the next, with an 8-hour minimum for roster changeovers.
It's essential to consult the relevant award or agreement applicable to your industry to determine exact entitlements.
Breaks during shifts
Break entitlements during a shift depend on its duration:
- 4 to 5 hours: 1 x 10-minute paid rest break; no meal break.
- 5 to 7 hours: 1 x 10-minute paid rest break; 1 x 30–60 minute unpaid meal break.
- 7 to 10 hours: 2 x 10-minute paid rest breaks; 1 x 30–60 minute unpaid meal break.
- Over 10 hours: 2 x 10-minute paid rest breaks; 2 x 30–60 minute unpaid meal breaks.
Note: These are general guidelines. Specific entitlements can vary based on the applicable award or agreement.
Types of breaks
- Rest Breaks (Tea Breaks): Short breaks (usually 10 minutes) allowing employees to rest briefly during work hours. These are typically paid.
- Meal Breaks: Longer breaks (30 to 60 minutes) enabling employees to have a meal. These are generally unpaid unless specified otherwise in an award or agreement.
- Crib Breaks: A paid meal break where the employee remains on duty, common in industries requiring continuous operations.
Managing Breaks with Microkeeper
Microkeeper's rostering and time-tracking tools are designed to help businesses:
- Schedule shifts in compliance with break entitlements.
- Automatically calculate and apply appropriate break periods.
- Monitor employee hours to ensure adherence to legal requirements.
By integrating these features, employers can maintain compliance and promote employee well-being.
Learn more about our break management tool.
