Public holiday pay in Australia
Updated 2026-10-24
If you work a public holiday, most awards pay a penalty rate, commonly 225% of base pay for permanent staff and 250% for casuals. Always check your own award or agreement.
Worked example
| Worker | Base rate | Holiday rate | 8-hour shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | $30.00 | 225% = $67.50 | $540.00 |
| Casual | $30.00 | 250% = $75.00 | $600.00 |
How to check your pay
- Find your award on the Fair Work Ombudsman site (Pay Calculator).
- Note the public holiday percentage for your employment type.
- Multiply your base hourly rate by that percentage, then by hours worked on the day.
- Compare with your payslip; holiday hours should be listed separately.
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day are national public holidays; states add their own (and substitute days when they fall on a weekend). See also penalty rates in Australia.
Clockwell logs your shifts with one tap and applies Saturday, Sunday, evening and overtime rates automatically. It can’t yet tell which days are public holidays, so check holiday shifts against your award. Get Clockwell on the App Store.
General information only, not legal or financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the public holiday rate in Australia?
It depends on your award. Many awards pay 225% for full-time and part-time staff and 250% for casuals (which includes casual loading). Check your award on the Fair Work website.
Do I get paid if I don't work a public holiday?
Full-time and part-time employees are paid their base rate for ordinary hours they would have worked. Casuals are generally not paid if they don't work.