Overtime & penalty rates for casuals in the Horticulture Award

From the first full pay period starting on or after 15 April 2019 (ppc 15 April 2019), casuals paid an hourly rate get overtime, a night loading and extra pay on public holidays.

Before ppc 15 April 2019, they didn’t get paid overtime or a night loading, and got paid a different amount for public holidays.

Casual pieceworkers don't get overtime or the night loading.

The calculation of these rates has changed from the first full pay period starting on or after 13 November 2020 (ppc 13 November 2020).

To calculate pay rates for casuals, including overtime, public holiday and night rates, use our Pay and Conditions Tool. When calculating rates that applied before 13 November 2020, ensure that the calculation date is set to a date before this time.

From ppc 13 November 2020

Overtime

Casuals paid an hourly rate get paid overtime for working more than:

  • 12 hours per engagement
  • 12 hours in a single day, or
  • 304 ordinary hours over an 8 week period.

Casuals paid an hourly rate working overtime get paid 175% of their ordinary hourly rate. The 175% rate includes the casual loading.

The ordinary hourly rate includes any all-purpose allowances that apply to the employee.

Casual pieceworkers don’t get overtime.

Night loading

Casuals paid an hourly rate working between 8.31pm and 4.59am on any day of the week (except public holidays) get paid:

  • their ordinary hourly rate
  • 15% of their ordinary hourly rate (night loading)
  • 25% of their ordinary hourly rate (casual loading).

The ordinary hourly rate includes any all-purpose allowances that apply to the employee.

During daylight saving time, employers and the majority of their affected casual employees in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia can agree to shift the daily spread of hours forward by one hour. When this occurs the 15% night loading applies between 7.31pm and 3:59am (instead of 8.31pm and 4:59am).

Casual pieceworkers don't get the night loading.

Public holidays

Casuals paid an hourly rate working on a public holiday get paid 225% of their ordinary hourly rate.

The ordinary hourly rate includes any all-purpose allowances that apply to the employee.

Casuals paid an hourly rate get this rate whether they're working overtime hours or ordinary hours.

From ppc 15 April 2019 to ppc 13 November 2020

Overtime

Casuals paid an hourly rate got paid overtime for working more than:

  • 12 hours per engagement
  • 12 hours in a single day, or
  • 304 ordinary hours over an 8 week period.

Casuals paid an hourly rate working overtime got paid 175% of their minimum hourly rate. The 175% rate includes the casual loading.

All-purpose allowances that applied to the employee were added separately and didn’t form part of the minimum hourly rate.

Casual pieceworkers didn’t get overtime.

Night loading

Casuals paid an hourly rate working between 8.31pm and 4.59am on any day of the week (except public holidays) got paid:

  • their minimum hourly rate
  • 15% of their minimum hourly rate (night loading)
  • 25% of their minimum hourly rate (casual loading).

All-purpose allowances that applied to the employee were added separately and didn't form part of the minimum hourly rate.

Casual pieceworkers didn’t get the night loading.

Public holidays

Casuals paid an hourly rate working on a public holiday got paid 225% of their minimum hourly rate.

All-purpose allowances that applied to the employee were added separately and didn’t form part of the minimum hourly rate.

Casuals paid an hourly rate got this rate whether they're working overtime hours or ordinary hours.

Before ppc 15 April 2019

Overtime

Casuals, including casual pieceworkers didn’t get overtime pay.

Night loading

Casuals, including casual pieceworkers didn’t get a night loading.

Public holidays

Casuals paid an hourly rate who worked on a public holiday got paid:

  • 200% of their ordinary hourly rate (public holiday penalty)
  • 25% of their minimum hourly rate (casual loading).
View references

Horticulture Award

4 yearly review of modern awards - Part-time and Casual Employment [2019] FWCFB 2108 - Horticulture Award - overtime entitlements for casual employees.

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