Broken Shifts · MA000120

Children's Services Broken Shift Allowance

1 Jul 2026 Updated 1 Jul 2026 By Fitz HR 4 min read Reviewed against FWO Pay Guide MA000120

Outside-school-hours care runs on split days — a morning session and an afternoon session with a gap in between. The Children's Services Award MA000120 pays a broken shift allowance for exactly this pattern. Here is how it works in 2026.

Under MA000120, a broken shift attracts an allowance of $21.38 for each day one is worked. A broken shift is a day split by an unpaid break longer than a normal meal break — common in OSHC. Each working portion still attracts the minimum engagement (2 hours for part-time and casual employees), so short before- and after-school sessions are each paid at the minimum, plus the allowance.

Rates current as at 2026-07-01 (Annual Wage Review), sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000120. Next review 2027-07-01.

Broken Shifts — Children’s Services

Broken shift allowance: $21.38 per day worked
Each portion: minimum 2 hours (part-time / casual)
Common in: outside-school-hours care (OSHC)

What Is a Broken Shift

A broken shift is a day of work split by an unpaid break longer than a normal meal break. In OSHC this is the standard pattern: a before-school session, a long gap, then an after-school session. The Award pays an allowance to recognise the disruption.

The Broken Shift Allowance

The allowance is $21.38 for each day a broken shift is worked, on top of the pay for the hours themselves. It applies per day, not per break.

Minimum Engagement on Each Session

Each separate session still attracts the minimum engagement of 2 hours for part-time and casual employees. A 1.5-hour before-school session and a 2.5-hour after-school session are paid as 2 hours + 2.5 hours, plus the $21.38 broken-shift allowance — not just the time worked.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits

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Paying only the hours worked. Each session attracts the 2-hour minimum, plus the broken-shift allowance.
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Forgetting the allowance. $21.38 applies for each day a broken shift is worked.
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Rostering under the minimum. A 90-minute session still costs the 2-hour minimum for part-time and casual staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Children's Services broken shift allowance?
$21.38 for each day a broken shift is worked under MA000120.
Does the minimum engagement apply to each OSHC session?
Yes — each session attracts a minimum of 2 hours for part-time and casual employees, plus the broken-shift allowance.
Is a broken shift common in outside-school-hours care?
Yes — it is the standard OSHC pattern (before-school and after-school sessions split by a gap), which is exactly what the broken-shift allowance is for.
Is the broken shift allowance per break or per day?
Per day — $21.38 for each day a broken shift is worked, regardless of the length of the gap.

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Children's Services Broken Shift Allowance — FAQ

How much is the Children's Services broken shift allowance? $21.38 for each day a broken shift is worked under MA000120.

Does the minimum engagement apply to each OSHC session? Yes — each session attracts a minimum of 2 hours for part-time and casual employees, plus the broken-shift allowance.

Is a broken shift common in outside-school-hours care? Yes — it is the standard OSHC pattern (before-school and after-school sessions split by a gap), which is exactly what the broken-shift allowance is for.

Is the broken shift allowance per break or per day? Per day — $21.38 for each day a broken shift is worked, regardless of the length of the gap.