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 establishes the ordinary hours of work that employers must provide and employees are obligated to work under the National Employment Standards.

The 38-hour week applies across most industries and represents the maximum ordinary hours before additional compensation or penalty rates typically apply. Employees may work additional hours if required by their employer, though such hours must be reasonable and may trigger overtime payments depending on the relevant award or agreement. Part-time and casual employees are not bound by this 38-hour standard; their hours are determined by individual contracts or applicable awards.

The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the National Employment Standards establish this requirement. The Fair Work Commission administers and interprets these standards through awards and enterprise agreements that may modify ordinary hours for specific industries or roles.

On 26 August 2024, Australia expanded Fair Work Commission powers to cover gig workers, contractors, and casual employees, broadening the regulatory framework beyond traditional employment relationships. This change enhances protections and dispute resolution mechanisms for workers in non-standard arrangements.

Employers and payroll teams must ensure that full-time employee rosters comply with the 38-hour standard unless a relevant award or enterprise agreement explicitly provides otherwise. Hours worked beyond this threshold should be tracked separately and compensated according to applicable award rates or agreement terms. Compliance requires regular review of current awards and any enterprise agreements in place, as these may establish different ordinary hours for specific roles or industries.