Shiftworker

Shiftwork typically involves working hours that fall outside the regular daytime schedule. Shiftworkers might work evenings, nights, early mornings or rotating shifts. This type of work is common in industries that operate outside standard business hours, like healthcare, manufacturing or hospitality. The specific definition and conditions for shiftworkers can vary in different awards and agreements.

Extra annual leave for shiftworkers

Under the National Employment Standards, some shiftworkers get 5 weeks of paid annual leave a year instead of 4. Whether an employee qualifies depends on the definition in their award or agreement; many awards define a shiftworker as an employee in a business where shifts run continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, who is regularly rostered across those shifts, including Sundays and public holidays. Shiftworkers may also be entitled to shift loadings. For example, a nurse on a rotating 24/7 roster may be entitled to the extra week of leave, depending on their award.

Read our annual leave guide.