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Public Holiday Pay

Public Holiday Pay

The entitlement of employees to a paid day off, a paid day in lieu, or an additional day's pay for Public Holidays.

Casual and part-time staff are also entitled to this if they have worked 40 hours in the previous 5 weeks. A common payroll error is failing to pay casual staff for bank holidays when they aren't rostered.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a staff member works on a Public Holiday, do I have to pay double time?

Not necessarily. The law requires you to give a benefit for the day. This can be: (1) An extra day's pay, (2) A paid day off within a month, or (3) An extra day added to annual leave. While "Double Time" (pay for the day + extra day's pay) is the most common and administratively easiest method in hospitality, it is not the only legal option.

Do part-time staff get paid for Bank Holidays if they aren't rostered?

Yes, provided they have worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks leading up to the Public Holiday. If they meet this threshold, they are entitled to a benefit—usually a paid day off, an extra day's pay, or a day added to annual leave—even if they were not rostered to work that day.