Standard work time

Standard work time in Australia is set at 38 hours per week for full-time employees, unless an applicable award or enterprise agreement specifies different hours. This baseline is established under the Fair Work Act and represents the maximum ordinary hours of work that employers may require full-time staff to perform without triggering additional penalty rates or overtime compensation.

The 38-hour week applies across most industries and is enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the statutory authority responsible for administering workplace entitlements. The rule ensures consistency in employment conditions while allowing flexibility through industry-specific awards and negotiated enterprise agreements, which may set lower or higher ordinary hours depending on the nature of work and sector requirements.

From 26 August 2024, the Fair Work Commission's powers expanded to cover gig workers, contractors, and casual employees, broadening the scope of protections beyond traditional full-time and part-time arrangements. This statutory change reflects evolving employment patterns and extends minimum entitlements consideration to non-standard work arrangements.

Employers and payroll teams must ensure that full-time employee rosters comply with the 38-hour maximum unless a relevant award or enterprise agreement explicitly provides otherwise. Hours worked beyond 38 per week may trigger additional compensation obligations depending on the applicable industrial instrument. Payroll systems should track ordinary hours separately from overtime to ensure correct payment calculations. Organisations should review their awards and agreements to confirm whether the 38-hour standard applies or whether alternative arrangements are specified, particularly given the expanded Fair Work Commission jurisdiction over non-traditional employment relationships.