Breaks

Breaks during a work shift are important for employee wellbeing and efficiency. These can be short tea breaks, longer meal breaks, or rest breaks. Paid breaks are usually shorter, like tea breaks, while unpaid breaks are typically longer, such as lunch breaks. The specific rules about breaks – how long they are and whether they're paid – depend on the workplace policies and the relevant employment award or agreement.

Who decides break entitlements?

The National Employment Standards do not set rest or meal breaks. Break entitlements come from the modern award or enterprise agreement that covers the employee, or from the employment contract for award-free employees. Most awards give a paid rest break of around 10 minutes for longer shifts and an unpaid meal break of 30 to 60 minutes, and some require a minimum break between shifts. For example, many awards say an employee cannot be required to work more than 5 hours without a meal break. Work health and safety laws also require you to manage fatigue.

Check your award with our guide to modern awards.