Broken Shifts · MA000100

SCHADS Broken Shift Rules

1 Jul 2026 Updated 1 Jul 2026 By Fitz HR 5 min read Reviewed against FWO Pay Guide MA000100

Broken shifts — where a workday is split by one or more unpaid breaks — are common in home care and disability services. The SCHADS Award MA000100 pays a specific allowance for them, with strict limits. Here is how it works in 2026.

Under MA000100, a broken shift attracts an allowance of $21.81 (one unpaid break) or $28.87 (two unpaid breaks) per broken shift. A broken shift may contain at most two unpaid breaks, and each separate portion still attracts the applicable minimum engagement. Broken shifts cannot be used to avoid paying for short attendances.

Rates current as at 2026-07-01 (Annual Wage Review), sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000100. Next review 2027-07-01.

Broken Shifts — SCHADS

One unpaid break: $21.81 per broken shift
Two unpaid breaks: $28.87 per broken shift
Maximum: two unpaid breaks per broken shift
Each portion still attracts its minimum engagement

What Is a Broken Shift

A broken shift is a single day’s work split by one or more unpaid breaks (longer than a normal meal break). It is common where a home-care worker sees clients morning and evening with a gap in between. The Award pays an allowance to recognise the disruption of the split.

The Broken Shift Allowance

The allowance is $21.81 for a broken shift with one unpaid break and $28.87 for two. A broken shift may contain a maximum of two unpaid breaks — you cannot split a day into three or more working portions to save cost.

Minimum Engagement on Each Portion

Each separate working portion of a broken shift still attracts the applicable minimum engagement (2 hours for most streams; 3 hours for social & community services). So a 45-minute morning visit and a 45-minute evening visit are each paid at the minimum, plus the broken-shift allowance — not just the time worked.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits

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Using three or more portions. A broken shift can have at most two unpaid breaks.
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Paying only the time worked. Each portion attracts the minimum engagement, plus the broken-shift allowance.
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Forgetting the allowance entirely. Every broken shift attracts $21.81 or $28.87.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the SCHADS broken shift allowance?
$21.81 for a broken shift with one unpaid break, or $28.87 for two, under MA000100.
How many breaks can a SCHADS broken shift have?
A maximum of two unpaid breaks. You cannot split a day into three or more separate working portions.
Does minimum engagement apply to each part of a broken shift?
Yes. Each working portion attracts the applicable minimum engagement — 2 hours for most streams, 3 hours for social & community services — plus the broken-shift allowance.
Is a broken shift the same as a split shift?
They are similar concepts, but the SCHADS broken-shift rules and allowance are specific to MA000100. Always apply the SCHADS figures and limits rather than another award’s split-shift rules.

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SCHADS Broken Shift Rules — FAQ

How much is the SCHADS broken shift allowance? $21.81 for a broken shift with one unpaid break, or $28.87 for two, under MA000100.

How many breaks can a SCHADS broken shift have? A maximum of two unpaid breaks. You cannot split a day into three or more separate working portions.

Does minimum engagement apply to each part of a broken shift? Yes. Each working portion attracts the applicable minimum engagement — 2 hours for most streams, 3 hours for social & community services — plus the broken-shift allowance.

Is a broken shift the same as a split shift? They are similar concepts, but the SCHADS broken-shift rules and allowance are specific to MA000100. Always apply the SCHADS figures and limits rather than another award’s split-shift rules.