Penalty rates are higher hourly rates for working at times outside normal business hours. Under the SCHADS Award they’re a percentage of the ordinary hourly rate.
Weekends and public holidays
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 150% | 175% |
| Sunday | 200% | 225% |
| Public holiday | 250% | 275% |
For casuals, the 25% loading is added to the penalty, not multiplied by it. A casual working on a Saturday gets 150% + 25% = 175% of the base rate.
Afternoon and night shifts (Monday to Friday)
| Shift | When | Loading |
|---|---|---|
| Afternoon | Finishes after 8:00pm and at or before midnight | +12.5% |
| Night | Finishes after midnight, or starts before 6:00am | +15% |
Casuals get the 25% loading on top, so a casual afternoon shift is 137.5% and a casual night shift 140%.
Shifts that cross midnight
When a shift runs from Friday night into Saturday, the hours after midnight are paid at the Saturday rate. Hours before midnight on Friday get the night shift loading. The same goes for Saturday into Sunday, and into or out of a public holiday.
Common mistakes
- Paying a whole Friday overnight shift at the night rate, missing the Saturday hours
- Multiplying the casual loading instead of adding it
- Forgetting state public holidays, like NSW Labour Day, or additional days when a holiday falls on a weekend
See the rates in dollars on the SCHADS pay rates 2026–27 page.