Working Hours

Normal working hours for most Public servants are an average of 35 or 38 per week (depending on the classification), with the opportunity for at least 1 day off per month. Many Departments provide additional flexibility in working hours and you should contact the Human Resource area of the relevant Department for specific details.

Click on the following links for detailed information on the conditions governing normal working hours:

• Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009
• • Working Hours cl 11
  • Morning and Afternoon breaks cl 14
  • Variation of Hours cl 16
  • Standard Working Hours cl 20
  • Flexible Working Hours cl 21
  • Rostered days off for 38 hour week workers cl 22
  • Flexible work practices (includes part time work) cl 24
• Personnel Handbook
  • Hours of duty Ch 6-2
  • Absence from duty Ch 6-3

Variations of the above working hours include:

• Public Holidays
• Overtime
• Shiftwork
• Flexible Working Hours (including part time work)

Public Holidays

A complete list of public holidays can be found on the Department of Commerce Office of Industrial Relations website. Other information can be found in:

• Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009 
• • Public Holidays cl 19
• Personnel Handbook
  • Public Holidays Ch 6-16
• Circular:
  • M2008-13 Christmas Closedown 2008-09

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Overtime

The usual overtime rates for Public Servants are:

• Monday to Saturday: Time and one half for the first 2 hours and double time thereafter
• Sunday: Double time
• Public Holidays: Double time and one half

For further information about overtime rates go to:

• Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009
• • Overtime - General cl 89
  • Overtime for Shiftworkers cl 90
  • Overtime for Day Workers cl 91 
  • Recall to Duty cl 92
  • On Call (Stand-by) and On Call Allowance cl 93
  • Overtime Meal Breaks cl 94
  • Overtime Meal Allowances cl 95
  • Rate of Payment for Overtime cl 96
  • Payment for Overtime or Leave in Lieu cl 97

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Shiftwork

The usual payment loadings for shift work are:

• Up to 15 per cent for weekdays, depending on the time that the shift commences
• 50 per cent for Saturdays
• 75 per cent for Sundays
• 150 per cent for Public Holidays

For information on shiftwork conditions see:

• Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009
  • Shiftwork cl 88
  • Overtime worked by shiftworkers cl 90

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Flexible Working Hours

Many Departments have developed flexible working hours arrangements that benefit both employers and employees. Flexible work practices include part-time work, job sharing, varying flex time and career break schemes. Please contact the Human Resources area of the relevant Department for specific information.

Further information on Flexible working arrangements is also available from:

• Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009
• • Flexible Work Practices cl 24
  • Variations of Hours cl 16
• Personnel Handbook 
• • Hours of duty Ch 6-2

• Memoranda and Circulars
• • M1995-40 Policy and Guidelines on Flexible Work practices
  • M2000-10 Strategies for Flexible Workplace Arrangements
  • C1998-11 Carer's Leave for Employees Covered by the Uniform (Ministerial) Leave Condition
  • M1995-40 - Flexible Work Practices

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