Part-time employee

Part-time employment involves working regular hours each week, but less than what is considered full-time (usually less than 38 hours a week in many jobs). Part-time employees have a consistent schedule, like working every weekday morning or three full days a week. They enjoy benefits like annual leave and sick leave calculated on a pro-rata basis, meaning in proportion to their hours worked.

Setting part-time hours

Most awards require you to agree in writing with a part-time employee, at the start, on a regular pattern of hours, including the days they work and their start and finish times, and any change must also be agreed in writing. Hours worked beyond the agreed hours may attract overtime, depending on the award. Part-time employees get the same National Employment Standards as full-time employees, pro rata. For example, a part-time employee who works 3 days a week accrues 6 days of paid personal/carer's leave a year.

Read our guide to employment contracts and see pro-rata.