Split Shift Rules Under the Hospitality Award in Australia
Split shifts are common in hospitality, where venues often need staff for lunch service and dinner service but not the hours in between. The Hospitality Industry (General) Award MA000009 allows split shifts but imposes specific rules and allowances that many venues get wrong.
What Is a Split Shift?
A split shift is a single day's work that is split into two distinct periods with an unpaid break of more than one hour between them. For example, an employee works 11am to 2pm for lunch service, then returns to work 5pm to 10pm for dinner service.
Split Shift Allowance
Under the Hospitality Award, a full-time or part-time employee who works a split shift must be paid a split shift allowance. This is a flat dollar amount paid in addition to the employee's ordinary pay for each day a split shift is worked. Casual employees are not entitled to the split shift allowance as their casual loading is considered to compensate for irregular working patterns.
Maximum Spread of Hours
The Hospitality Award limits the maximum spread of hours for a split shift. The period from when the employee starts work to when they finish (including the unpaid break between shifts) must not exceed a specified number of hours. Check the current Award provisions for the exact spread, as this can vary based on the type of venue and employee classification.
Common Mistakes Venues Make
Not paying the split shift allowance: This is the most common error. Every split shift for a permanent employee must include the allowance payment.
Exceeding the maximum spread: If the spread of hours exceeds the Award limit, additional payments may be required.
Not recording split shifts correctly: Time records must clearly show the start and finish of each portion of the split shift, not just the total hours worked.
How Fitz HR Helps
Fitz HR can instantly answer questions about split shift rules, calculate the correct allowances, and ensure your time records meet Fair Work requirements. Ask Fitz any question about the Hospitality Award and get an accurate answer in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a split shift in hospitality?
A split shift is a single day's work divided into two distinct periods with an unpaid break of more than one hour between them. For example, working lunch service (11am-2pm) and dinner service (5pm-10pm). The Hospitality Industry (General) Award allows split shifts but requires a split shift allowance for permanent employees.
Do I have to pay a split shift allowance?
Yes, full-time and part-time employees who work a split shift must be paid a split shift allowance under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award. Casual employees are generally not entitled to the allowance as their casual loading compensates for irregular patterns.
What is the maximum spread of hours for a split shift?
The Hospitality Award limits the total spread of hours from when an employee starts work to when they finish, including the unpaid break between shifts. The exact limit can vary based on venue type and classification. Fitz HR (fitzhr.com) can provide the current limit for your specific situation.
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