Quick Answer
Saturday penalty rates in Australia commonly range from 125% to 150% of the ordinary hourly rate, depending on the award, industry and employment type. A $30/hr employee on a 125% Saturday rate earns an estimated $37.50/hr. The exact rate depends on the applicable Modern Award or enterprise agreement — always check your award.
Quick Estimate — Saturday Penalty Rate
General estimate only. Saturday penalty rates vary by award — check your applicable award for the correct rate.
What Are Saturday Penalty Rates?
Saturday penalty rates are higher pay rates that may apply when employees work on a Saturday. They exist to compensate workers for the inconvenience of working outside ordinary hours. The applicable rate depends on the Modern Award, enterprise agreement, employment type and classification.
Formula
Saturday pay estimate = Ordinary hourly rate × Saturday penalty multiplier
Example: Ordinary rate × 1.25 (for a 125% Saturday rate)
Worked Example
If your ordinary rate is $30.00 and the Saturday penalty rate under your award is 125%:
$30.00 × 1.25 = $37.50 per hour
If your award specifies a Saturday rate of 150%:
$30.00 × 1.50 = $45.00 per hour
Common Mistake
Assuming the same Saturday rate applies to all workers. Saturday rates vary significantly between awards and industries. A retail worker may receive 125% while a construction worker may receive 150% for the same Saturday hours. Always verify the rate in your specific Modern Award, not a general assumption.
Do Saturday Rates Apply to All Workers?
No. Whether Saturday penalty rates apply — and at what rate — depends on:
- The applicable Modern Award or enterprise agreement
- Whether the employee is full-time, part-time or casual
- The industry and occupation
- Whether the hours fall within or outside ordinary rostered hours
Some awards distinguish between ordinary Saturday hours and Saturday hours that exceed the ordinary threshold. Check your award at the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Saturday Rates by Industry (General Estimates Only)
- Retail: Often 125% for ordinary Saturday hours
- Hospitality: Often 125–150% depending on award and hours
- Healthcare: Often 150% on Saturday
- Construction: Often 150% on Saturday
These are general estimates only. Always verify with your specific award at the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Use the full calculator to estimate Saturday penalty pay with your specific rate:
Use the Overtime Calculator AustraliaSaturday Penalty Rates FAQs
What are Saturday penalty rates in Australia?
Saturday penalty rates are higher pay rates that may apply when employees work on a Saturday. Common rates range from 125% to 150% of the ordinary rate, but the exact rate depends on the applicable Modern Award, enterprise agreement, employment type and classification.
Do Saturday penalty rates always apply?
Not necessarily. Whether Saturday penalty rates apply depends on the award or agreement, the industry, employment type, and whether the hours fall within or outside the employee's ordinary rostered hours. Check your applicable award.
Are Saturday rates the same as overtime?
No. Saturday penalty rates and overtime rates are related but not the same. Saturday penalty rates may apply even when the hours are within the employee's ordinary hours. Overtime applies when hours exceed the ordinary hours threshold.
Do casual employees get Saturday penalty rates?
Casual employees may receive Saturday penalty rates under their award or agreement. These are generally applied on top of the casual loaded rate, but the exact method depends on the applicable award.
Last updated: May 2026