Penalty Rates on Payslip Australia: Complete Guide + Free Calculator (2026)

Saturday rates · Sunday rates · Public holiday rates · Overtime rules · Industry-specific examples · Free penalty rate calculator · Award lookup database

Written by Sarah Nguyen

Senior Australian Payroll Compliance Writer · OfficeDraft

Reviewed by James Whitfield

Registered Payroll Practitioner · Australian Payroll Association · 14 years experience

Published: Jan 2026

Last reviewed: 1 June 2026

Sat · Sun · Public Holiday ratesOvertime rules by industry6 industries coveredWorked calculation examplesFree penalty calculatorAward lookup databaseUnderpayment checker guide

Penalty rates on payslip Australia represent one of the most misunderstood — and most frequently underpaid — areas of Australian employment law. If you work Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, or overtime, your payslip must show penalty rate loadings as separate line items. When they are absent or calculated incorrectly, you may be losing hundreds of dollars per week.

This guide — written by a payroll compliance specialist and reviewed by a registered payroll practitioner — explains what penalty rates are, how they should appear on your Australian payslip, and how to identify if you are being underpaid. It includes a free interactive calculator covering six major industries, a complete award lookup database, and worked payslip examples for hospitality, retail, and construction.

Fair Work Ombudsman finding: The FWO recovers over $500 million in underpaid wages annually, with penalty rate non-compliance consistently among the top enforcement priorities. The hospitality, retail, and cleaning industries record the highest penalty rate underpayment rates.

×1.25–×1.5

Standard Saturday loading

Varies by award

×1.5–×1.75

Standard Sunday loading

Hospitality up to ×1.75

×2.25–×2.5

Public holiday loading

Highest penalty rate

What Are Penalty Rates on an Australian Payslip?

Penalty rates are higher rates of pay that Australian employees are legally entitled to receive for working outside ordinary business hours. They exist because working on weekends, public holidays, and late nights carries a social and personal cost — penalty rates compensate workers for that cost and incentivise employers to limit unsocial hours rostering where possible.

Penalty rates on payslips in Australia are set by one of two instruments:

Modern Awards

Industry-specific awards set by the Fair Work Commission. Reviewed annually. Cover most Australian employees who are not under an Enterprise Agreement. There are over 120 Modern Awards covering different industries and roles.

Enterprise Agreements

Negotiated agreements between an employer and their employees (usually via a union). EAs must be approved by the Fair Work Commission and cannot leave employees worse off overall than the Award (the Better Off Overall Test, or BOOT). Many large employers in retail, hospitality, and construction operate under EAs.

Key legal requirement: Under the Fair Work Act 2009 and Fair Work Regulations 2009, every payslip must show each separate penalty rate as a distinct line item with the hours worked, the applicable rate, and the total amount. A single flat hourly rate that absorbs penalty loadings without disclosure is a payslip compliance breach — separate from any underpayment claim.

Penalty Rate Overview: By Day Type and Industry

The table below summarises the standard penalty rate multipliers for four major Australian industries under their respective Modern Awards. Rates are for Level 1 permanent employees — casual employees add 25% on top.

Day / PeriodHospitalityRetailConstructionHealthcare
Saturday×1.25×1.25×1.50×1.50
Sunday×1.75×1.50×2.00×1.75
Public Holiday×2.25×2.25×2.50×2.50
Overtime (hrs 1–2)×1.50×1.50×1.50×1.50
Overtime (hrs 2+)×2.00×2.00×2.00×2.00

Rates as at 1 July 2025 under FY2025–26 National Minimum Wage increase. Rates reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission. Enterprise Agreement rates may differ — higher rates always prevail. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman Awards List.

How Penalty Rates Should Appear on a Payslip

A compliant Australian payslip does not show a single hourly rate for all hours worked. Each type of work — ordinary, Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, overtime — must appear as a separate line item. This is not a formatting preference; it is a legal requirement under the Fair Work Regulations 2009.

Ordinary Hours

Standard weekday hours worked within the daily threshold (usually 8–10 hours). Shown at 100% of your base rate.

Example:8h × $24.38 = $195.04

Saturday Penalty

⚠️ Missing this line? Employer may be underpaying.

Hours worked on Saturday, paid at the applicable Saturday multiplier. Should appear as a separate line from weekday hours.

Example:4h × $30.48 (×1.25) = $121.90

Sunday Penalty

⚠️ Missing this line? Check with Fair Work: 13 13 94.

Hours worked on Sunday at the Sunday multiplier. In hospitality, this is 175% — the most common underpayment category in Australia.

Example:5h × $42.67 (×1.75) = $213.33

Public Holiday

⚠️ Being paid ordinary rate on a public holiday = underpayment.

Hours worked on a declared public holiday. Should show 225%–250% depending on your award. May also show an extra day off in lieu.

Example:8h × $54.86 (×2.25) = $438.86

Overtime — 1.5×

First two hours of overtime worked beyond your daily/weekly threshold. Paid at time and a half.

Example:2h × $36.57 (×1.5) = $73.14

Overtime — 2.0×

Hours beyond the first two overtime hours. Paid at double time. Should appear as a separate line from the 1.5× OT.

Example:1h × $48.76 (×2.0) = $48.76

Casual Loading

⚠️ Not seeing casual loading? You may be misclassified.

For casual employees: 25% loading on top of all hourly rates. Should either appear as a separate loading line or be folded into a higher hourly rate (clearly noted).

Example:8h × $30.48 (×1.25) = $243.80

Superannuation

⚠️ Missing super? See: /au/super-not-on-payslip

Compulsory employer contribution at 11.5% SG rate (FY2025–26). Must appear on every payslip under the Fair Work Act. Calculated on gross ordinary time earnings.

Example:11.5% × $195.04 = $22.43

Saturday Penalty Rates Australia — What Should Appear on Your Payslip

Saturday penalty rates in Australia range from 125% to 150% of base rate depending on your industry award. Saturday penalty loading applies from the first hour worked on Saturday — not just after a certain number of hours. The loading should appear on your payslip as a separate "Saturday Penalty" or "Weekend Rate" line item.

Saturday Penalty Rate: Worked Example

Scenario: Full-time retail employee (Level 1), working 9am–2pm Saturday (5 hours).

Base rate (Level 1 Retail Award)$24.10/hr
Saturday penalty rate (×1.25)$30.13/hr
5 hours × $30.13$150.63
vs. 5 hours weekday at $24.10$120.50
Saturday penalty loading earned+$30.13
Saturday rate check: If your payslip shows the same rate for Saturday hours as Monday–Friday ordinary time, this is a potential underpayment. The Saturday penalty rate must be applied from the very first Saturday hour. Employers cannot offset Saturday penalty obligations against a higher-than-Award weekday rate without a documented loaded-rate arrangement that has been tested against the Award using the BOOT.

Sunday Penalty Rates Australia — Payslip Requirements

Sunday penalty rates are consistently higher than Saturday rates — and consistently the most underpaid category in Australian payroll. In hospitality, a Sunday rate of 175% means employees earn 75 cents more per dollar worked than on a weekday. In construction and transport, Sunday rates of 200% represent double ordinary time.

Hospitality

×1.75

$42.66/hr Sunday rate

Base: $24.38/hr

Retail

×1.50

$36.15/hr Sunday rate

Base: $24.10/hr

Construction

×2.00

$59.68/hr Sunday rate

Base: $29.84/hr

Healthcare

×1.75

$48.16/hr Sunday rate

Base: $27.52/hr

Casual employees on Sundays — compounding calculation: A casual hospitality worker receives their 25% casual loading AND the 175% Sunday penalty rate. These are applied together: Base $24.38 × 1.25 (casual) × 1.75 (Sunday) = $53.33/hr. If your payslip shows anything less as a casual Sunday rate in hospitality, ask for a written explanation immediately.

Public Holiday Penalty Rates — What Your Payslip Must Show

Public holiday penalty rates are the highest penalty rates in the Australian award system — ranging from 225% to 250% of base rate depending on the award. In addition to the higher rate, employees who are required to work a public holiday typically receive an additional entitlement: either an extra day off with pay (substitute day) or an additional day's pay.

Public Holiday Entitlements — What Must Appear on Your Payslip

Hours worked at public holiday rateMandatory

225%–250% depending on award — shown as separate line item

Substitute day off notationIf applicable

If employee takes a substitute day, it should appear as 'Substitute Day Off' or as a paid day leave

Additional day's payIf applicable

Some awards require an extra day's pay in lieu of substitute day — must appear on payslip

Superannuation on public holiday earningsMandatory

Super calculated on all gross earnings including public holiday penalty pay

Right to refuse public holiday work: Under the Fair Work Act, employees can refuse to work on a public holiday if the request is not reasonable. Factors include: notice given, nature of the role, personal circumstances, and whether the business genuinely requires the work. Employers cannot roster an employee and then pay them at ordinary rates — public holiday entitlements always apply when work is performed on a gazetted public holiday.

Overtime on Payslip Australia — How It Should Appear

Overtime rates in Australia are triggered when you work beyond your daily or weekly ordinary hours threshold — whichever occurs first. Overtime must appear on your payslip as separate line items distinguishing between the first two overtime hours (usually 1.5×) and hours beyond that (usually 2.0×). Burying overtime into an undifferentiated "total hours" figure is a Fair Work Act breach.

First 2 hours OT

×1.5

Time and a half — applies in almost all Australian awards

Beyond 2 hours OT

×2.0

Double time — applies after the first 2 overtime hours

Daily OT Thresholds by Award

Hospitality Award

8 hours/day, 38 hours/week

Retail Award

9 hours/day, 38 hours/week

Construction Award

8 hours/day, 36 hours/week

Healthcare Award

8 hours/day, 38 hours/week

Transport Award

10 hours/day, 38 hours/week

Aged Care Award

8 hours/day, 38 hours/week

TOIL (Time Off in Lieu): Many awards allow employers to offer time off instead of overtime pay — by written agreement with the employee. If your employer offers TOIL, it must be at the same rate as the overtime loading (e.g. 2 hours TOIL for each overtime hour at double time). TOIL must be taken within a reasonable time and cannot be withheld indefinitely.

Need a compliant payslip?

Generate a Penalty Rate Payslip

OfficeDraft payslip generators automatically calculate Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, and overtime loadings for hospitality, retail, and construction. Each penalty line item shown separately — fully Fair Work compliant.

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✓ Penalty rates calculated automatically✓ Separate line items for each rate✓ Super included✓ All industries

Penalty Rate Calculator Australia — Free Tool

Enter your industry, employment type, day worked, and shift hours to calculate your exact penalty pay, including overtime, superannuation, and a simulated payslip line-item breakdown. Rates are current for FY2025–26.

Penalty Rate Calculator

Enter your shift details to calculate penalty pay and see your expected payslip

Overnight shifts supported — set finish time earlier than start time.

Rates based on FY2025–26 National Minimum Wage and Fair Work Commission award rates. This calculator provides general guidance — actual rates may vary by award classification level.

Award Lookup Database — Penalty Rates by Industry

Select your industry to see the applicable Modern Award, all penalty rate multipliers, overtime rules, and key entitlements. Rates verified against Fair Work Commission published awards as at July 2025.

Award Lookup Database

Select your industry to see penalty rates, overtime rules, and allowances

Select an industry above to see its award, penalty rates, and key entitlements

Industry-Specific Payslip Examples — Penalty Rate Calculations

The following worked examples show exactly how penalty rates should appear on payslips in three of Australia's highest-volume penalty-rate industries: hospitality, retail, and construction.

Hospitality — Penalty Rate Example

Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020

Worker

Full-time Level 1 food and beverage attendant

Scenario

Sunday brunch shift: 10am–5pm (7 hours)

Line ItemRateAmount
7h × $24.38 × 1.75 (Sunday rate)$42.66/hr$298.65
Super (11.5% SG)$34.34
Gross Pay$298.65
Comparison: 7h × $24.38 = $170.66 on a weekday — Penalty loading earned this shift: $127.99

Hospitality Sunday rate of 175% is among the highest in Australia. A worker doing a Sunday-only roster earns 75% more per hour than weekday colleagues at the same classification level. This is a legal entitlement under the Award — not a bonus.

Generate Hospitality payslip with penalty rates →

Retail — Penalty Rate Example

General Retail Industry Award 2020

Worker

Part-time Level 1 retail employee

Scenario

Boxing Day trading: 8am–5pm (9 hours) on a public holiday

Line ItemRateAmount
9h × $24.10 × 2.25 (Public Holiday rate)$54.19/hr$487.73
Super (11.5% SG)$56.09
Gross Pay$487.73
Comparison: 9h × $24.10 = $216.90 on a weekday — Penalty loading earned this shift: $270.83

Public holiday retail work at 225% represents a major penalty premium. For a 9-hour Boxing Day shift, the employee earns $270.83 more than their weekday rate. Note: the Retail Award also requires either an alternative day off or an extra day's pay in lieu, which some employers forget.

Generate Retail payslip with penalty rates →

Construction — Penalty Rate Example

Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020

Worker

Full-time CW1 labourer

Scenario

Weekend site work: Saturday 7am–5pm (10 hours, including 2h OT)

Line ItemRateAmount
8h × $29.84 × 1.5 (Saturday rate)$35.81/hr$358.08
2h × $29.84 × 1.5 (OT ×1.5, first 2h)$8.95/hr$89.52
Super (11.5% SG)$51.47
Gross Pay$447.60
Comparison: 10h weekday (8 + 2h OT): $238.72 + $89.52 = $328.24 — Penalty loading earned this shift: $119.36

In construction, Saturday work at 150% is common for tight project deadlines. The OT rate in construction applies after 8 hours per day (not 10 like transport). A 10-hour Saturday earns $447.60 — $119.36 more than the same 10-hour day on a weekday.

Generate Construction payslip with penalty rates →

Common Payslip Errors — Penalty Rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman's enforcement data identifies these as the most frequent penalty rate errors on Australian payslips. Check your own payslip against each one.

Weekend hours paid at weekday rate

High severityVery common

The most widespread payslip error in Australia — particularly in hospitality, retail, and cleaning. Employees working Saturday or Sunday are paid the same flat rate as Monday–Friday work. This can result in underpayments of $50–$200 per week for regular weekend workers.

How to spot:Check your payslip for a separate "Saturday penalty" or "Sunday penalty" line item. If Saturday and Sunday hours appear at the same rate as weekday hours, raise it immediately.
Action:Raise with payroll. If unresolved, contact Fair Work Ombudsman: fairwork.gov.au or 13 13 94.

Public holiday hours at standard rate

High severityCommon

Some payroll systems are not updated for public holidays, or employers intentionally pay standard rates on public holidays. At 225%–250% penalty rates, this error can cost an employee $200–$400 in a single shift.

How to spot:If you worked on a gazetted public holiday and your payslip shows the same rate as a weekday, compare it against your award using the Fair Work Pay Calculator.
Action:The underpayment amount can be recovered for up to 6 years under the Fair Work Act.

Overtime not shown or calculated incorrectly

Medium severityCommon

Overtime is frequently absorbed into a flat rate rather than shown separately. Some payroll systems also miscalculate the overtime threshold — using a 40-hour week when the award prescribes 38, or missing the daily threshold entirely.

How to spot:If you regularly work more than 8 hours per day or 38 hours per week and your payslip shows no overtime line items, check whether overtime is owed.
Action:Check your award's daily and weekly OT thresholds — they vary between 8 and 10 hours depending on industry.

Casual loading missing or not shown separately

Medium severityModerate

Casual employees are entitled to a 25% loading on top of all applicable rates. Some payslips show a single flat casual rate without disclosing the loading component, making it impossible to verify the rate is correct.

How to spot:As a casual, your hourly rate should be at least 25% higher than the base Award rate for your classification. If you cannot work out how your hourly rate was calculated, ask your employer to explain it in writing.
Action:If misclassified as casual when you meet the criteria for permanent employment, you may be entitled to leave backpay.

Superannuation missing or understated

High severityCommon (especially in small business)

The ATO estimates billions in unpaid superannuation obligations every year. Super may not appear on your payslip if your employer is paying it late or not at all. From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay super on payday (Payday Super legislation).

How to spot:Check your super fund account directly — does the employer contribution appear within 2–3 months of each payslip period? If not, the employer may not be paying.
Action:See our guide: /au/super-not-on-payslip for how to report and recover unpaid super.

Penalty rates not on payslip (no line items)

Medium severityModerate

Under the Fair Work Act, payslips must show all penalty rates and loadings as separate line items — not rolled into a single undifferentiated hourly rate. If your payslip shows one flat rate for all hours regardless of when they were worked, it is non-compliant.

How to spot:A compliant payslip shows separate line items for: ordinary hours, Saturday penalty, Sunday penalty, public holiday, overtime (1.5× and 2.0× separately), casual loading, and allowances.
Action:Non-compliant payslip format is itself a Fair Work Act breach — separate from any underpayment claim.

For a complete payslip error guide including letter templates and Fair Work complaint procedures, see: Payslip Errors Australia — What To Do →

How to Check Your Penalty Rates on a Payslip — 6 Steps

Verifying that your penalty rates have been correctly applied takes less than 15 minutes and can reveal underpayments worth hundreds or thousands of dollars per year. Follow these steps in order:

1

Identify your award

Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool at fairwork.gov.au to confirm which award or Enterprise Agreement covers your role. Not all workers are Award-covered — some are on registered Enterprise Agreements with different (usually better) rates.

→ Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool
2

Note the days and hours you worked

Collect your timesheets or rosters for the pay period. Note separately: weekday hours, Saturday hours, Sunday hours, public holiday hours, and hours beyond your daily/weekly threshold (overtime).

3

Calculate expected penalty rates

Use the Penalty Rate Calculator on this page to calculate expected gross pay for each shift type. Apply the appropriate multiplier for your industry and day type.

→ OfficeDraft Penalty Rate Calculator (above)
4

Compare against your payslip

Match each payslip line item against your calculation. Check: (a) the rate shown; (b) the hours shown; (c) the total amount. A discrepancy of more than $5 warrants a formal inquiry. Note: some Enterprise Agreements use different rates to the Award — verify which applies to you.

5

Raise a payroll query in writing

If figures don't match, email your payroll team (not a verbal conversation — keep a written record). State: the pay period, the discrepancy amount, and request a written explanation. This creates a timestamp for any future Fair Work claim.

6

Lodge a Fair Work Ombudsman complaint if unresolved

If your employer does not resolve the underpayment, lodge an anonymous tip or a formal complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman. The FWO can issue compliance notices, infringement notices, and civil penalties against employers. Recovery can cover up to 6 years of underpayments.

→ Fair Work Ombudsman complaint portal
Recovery timeframe: The Fair Work Act allows employees to recover underpaid wages for up to 6 years of underpayments. An employee who has been paid weekday rates on Sundays for 3 years may be entitled to a back-payment equivalent to thousands of dollars. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 to start a recovery claim.

Generate a Compliant Penalty Rate Payslip

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Frequently Asked Questions — Penalty Rates on Payslip Australia

What are penalty rates on an Australian payslip?
Penalty rates are higher rates of pay that Australian employees receive for working outside ordinary weekday hours — specifically on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during early morning or late night hours. They appear on your payslip as separate line items with a multiplier applied to your base rate. For example, a hospitality worker on $24.38/hr receives $42.67/hr on Sundays (175% of base rate). Penalty rates are set by Fair Work Commission awards or Enterprise Agreements, not by individual employers.
What is the Saturday penalty rate in Australia?
Saturday penalty rates in Australia vary by industry and award. Common Saturday rates are: Hospitality Award — 125% of base rate (×1.25); Retail Award — 125% (×1.25); Construction Award — 150% (×1.5); Healthcare Award — 150% (×1.5); Transport Award — 150% (×1.5). Casual employees receive their casual loading rate (25%) on top of the Saturday penalty rate. For example, a casual retail worker on $24.10/hr base receives $37.66/hr on Saturdays ($24.10 × 1.25 casual loading × 1.25 Saturday penalty = $37.66).
What is the Sunday rate on a payslip in Australia?
Sunday rates in Australia are higher than Saturday rates and vary by industry: Hospitality Award — 175% (×1.75); Retail Award — 150% (×1.5); Construction Award — 200% (×2.0); Healthcare Award — 175% (×1.75); Transport Award — 200% (×2.0). The hospitality industry Sunday rate of 175% is one of the most discussed penalty rates in Australia, given the high number of casual and part-time workers in hospitality who regularly work Sundays. Sunday penalty rates must appear as a separate line item on your payslip.
What public holiday rate should appear on my payslip?
Australian public holiday penalty rates are the highest penalty rates across most awards: Hospitality Award — 225% (×2.25); Retail Award — 225% (×2.25); Construction Award — 250% (×2.5); Healthcare Award — 250% (×2.5). In addition to the penalty rate pay, employees who are rostered on a public holiday and required to work should also receive either an additional day off with pay or an extra day's pay in lieu, depending on their award. If your payslip shows you were paid at your standard weekday rate for working a public holiday, your employer is underpaying you.
How does overtime appear on an Australian payslip?
Overtime on an Australian payslip should appear as a separate line item showing: the number of overtime hours worked; the overtime rate (typically 1.5× base for the first 2 hours, 2.0× for hours beyond that); and the total overtime amount. Most awards trigger overtime after 8 hours in a day or 38 hours in a week, whichever occurs first. If both daily and weekly OT thresholds are exceeded, you are only entitled to the higher of the two rates — not both simultaneously. Overtime rates apply to your base rate, not to your already-loaded penalty rate (except on public holidays in some awards).
What do I do if my payslip doesn't show penalty rates?
If you worked on a Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, or outside ordinary hours and your payslip does not show a penalty rate loading, your employer may be underpaying you. Steps to take: (1) Check which award or Enterprise Agreement covers your employment using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool at fairwork.gov.au. (2) Calculate the correct penalty rate for your industry and day type. (3) Compare the correct rate against what your payslip shows. (4) If there is a shortfall, raise it with your payroll department or employer in writing. (5) If unresolved, lodge an anonymous report or underpayment claim with the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94. The underpayment recovery process is free, and the FWO has strong enforcement powers.
Can penalty rates be offset by a higher base salary?
Yes, in some circumstances. An employer can pay a higher base salary that 'absorbs' penalty rate entitlements — this is called a 'loaded rate' or 'all-inclusive rate' arrangement. However, this arrangement must be: documented in writing before the work begins; result in the employee receiving at least as much as they would have under the Award in any given pay period; and not leave the employee worse off overall. The Fair Work Act prohibits 'off-setting' arrangements that result in employees receiving less than Award entitlements, even if their annual salary appears high. If your employment contract says your salary covers penalty rates without specifying how, seek advice from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Do casual employees get penalty rates in Australia?
Yes. Casual employees are entitled to penalty rates in addition to their 25% casual loading. The casual loading and penalty rate multipliers are applied together — not instead of each other. For example, a casual hospitality worker working Sunday: Base rate: $24.38/hr. Plus 25% casual loading: $24.38 × 1.25 = $30.48/hr. Plus 175% Sunday penalty: $24.38 × 1.25 × 1.75 = $53.33/hr. The casual loading compensates for the absence of leave entitlements — it does not replace penalty rate entitlements, which are a separate legal requirement.

Know Your Penalty Rates. Check Your Payslip.

Penalty rates on payslip Australia are a legal entitlement — not an employer favour. If you work Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, or overtime, your payslip must show each penalty rate as a separate line item. Use the calculator on this page to verify your rates. If there is a shortfall, the Fair Work Ombudsman can help you recover up to 6 years of underpaid wages for free.

Day / PeriodTypical ratePayslip label
Weekday (Mon–Fri)×1.00Ordinary Hours
Saturday×1.25–×1.50Saturday Penalty
Sunday×1.50–×1.75Sunday Penalty
Public Holiday×2.25–×2.50Public Holiday Rate
Overtime (first 2h)×1.50Overtime 1.5×
Overtime (beyond 2h)×2.00Overtime 2.0×
Generate Payslip with Penalty Rates →Fair Work Pay Calculator ↗

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About This Guide

Authors: This guide was written by Sarah Nguyen (Senior Australian Payroll Compliance Writer, OfficeDraft) and reviewed for accuracy by James Whitfield (Registered Payroll Practitioner, Australian Payroll Association, 14 years experience across hospitality, retail, and construction payroll compliance).

Sources: Award penalty rates sourced from Fair Work Commission Modern Award summaries as at 1 July 2025. Payslip legal requirements sourced from the Fair Work Regulations 2009 (Cth) reg 3.46. Underpayment enforcement data from FWO Annual Reports 2023–2025. Base hourly rates reflect the 2025 Annual Wage Review decision effective 1 July 2025.

Disclaimer: This content is general information only and does not constitute legal, payroll, or financial advice. Award rates, penalty rates, and entitlements vary by classification level, Enterprise Agreement, and individual circumstances. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool at fairwork.gov.au is the authoritative source for your specific rates.

Update schedule: Reviewed quarterly. Award rates updated annually following Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decisions (typically effective 1 July each year). · Last reviewed: 1 June 2026 · Reviewed by: James Whitfield, RPP, Australian Payroll Association