At a glance (Summary)
- NES maximum: Full‑time employees: 38 ordinary hours per week. Part‑time: up to their agreed ordinary hours (if less than 38).
- Additional hours: May be worked only if reasonable. The Fair Work Act lists factors to assess “reasonableness”.
- Averaging: Ordinary hours can be averaged (e.g., 152 hours over four weeks) if permitted by an award/EA/contract.
- Payment: Overtime/penalties are payable where provided by a modern award, enterprise agreement or contract. Loaded salaries may incorporate compensation for reasonable additional hours.
- Right to refuse: Employees can refuse unreasonable additional hours.
- Coverage: These are National Employment Standards (NES). A small cohort of employees remain under state systems with different rules.
This is general information, not legal advice. See “Need more help?” below.