Maximum Working Hours per Week in Australia
The maximum hours of work per week for a full-time employee in Australia is 38 ordinary hours, plus reasonable additional hours. Under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), an employer cannot require unreasonable additional hours, and an employee can refuse them.
- The NES sets 38 ordinary hours per week for a full-time employee, plus reasonable additional hours.
- An employee can refuse additional hours that are unreasonable, based on factors such as health, family responsibilities and notice given.
- Overtime rates and daily limits come from the award or agreement, not the NES, so check the pay guide for your classification.
- Employers must manage fatigue as a safety risk under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW).
How maximum hours of work per week works
- Full-time employees have 38 ordinary hours per week as the standard, and awards or agreements can average those hours over a longer cycle.
- Part-time employees work fewer hours on a regular pattern. The NES sets no minimum weekly hours, so minimum shifts come from the award or agreement.
- Employers can ask for reasonable additional hours, and the request is reasonable or not depending on the whole situation, including the employee's health and family duties.
- Overtime rates come from the award or agreement, so look up the trigger point and loading in the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide.
- Employers must pay for all hours worked and record them, since time and wage records must be kept for 7 years.
- Fatigue is a safety hazard, so supervisors should look at total hours, travel time and rest between shifts, not just the roster.
Examples of weekly working hours
- A labourer on a construction site works the standard 38 hours, then is asked to work Saturday for a pour. The request is reasonable if notice is fair and the pay follows the award.
- A warehouse worker is rostered for long shifts before a sale and says the extra hours clash with caring duties, which is a factor in whether the request is reasonable.
- A cleaner works across two buildings in one week, and the hours at both sites are added together to find overtime under the award.
- An office employee regularly finishes late with no overtime claim. The employer should check the contract and award, since unpaid hours can become an underpayment.
- A casual picks up many shifts in one fortnight. The casual can decline shifts, and the award decides when overtime applies.
Key rules and numbers for weekly hours
| Item | What applies |
|---|---|
| Full-time ordinary hours | 38 per week, plus reasonable additional hours. |
| Refusing extra hours | An employee can refuse additional hours that are unreasonable. |
| Minimum for 38 hours | $1,004.90 per 38-hour week at the national minimum wage from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. |
| Overtime rates | Set by the award or agreement, not the NES. See the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide. |
| Payslips and records | Payslips within 1 working day of payday, and time and wage records kept for 7 years. |
| Super on ordinary time earnings | 12% for 2026-27, reaching the fund within 7 business days of payday. |
Related terms
- Ordinary hours: the standard hours an employee works before overtime applies, usually 38 per week for full-time.
- Overtime: hours beyond ordinary hours, paid at the award or agreement rate. See how to calculate overtime.
- Penalty rates: extra pay for unsociable hours, such as weekends and nights. See penalty rates.
- Meal and rest breaks: paid or unpaid breaks set by the award. See meal and rest breaks.
Weekly working hours FAQ
What is the maximum hours of work per week in Australia?
For a full-time employee, the NES sets 38 ordinary hours per week plus reasonable additional hours. There is no single national cap beyond that. Awards, agreements and safety duties shape how many hours are practical, and an employee can refuse hours that are unreasonable.
Can my employer make me work more than 38 hours?
Your employer can ask for reasonable additional hours, but cannot require unreasonable ones. Consider your health, family responsibilities, the notice you were given and the role. Extra hours must be paid correctly under your award or agreement. Call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 if you are unsure.
Do part-time and casual employees have a maximum?
The 38-hour standard applies to full-time employees. Part-timers work agreed hours, and the NES sets no minimum, while casuals work as offered. Your award or agreement sets minimum shifts and when overtime applies, so check the pay guide for your classification.
This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice, so check the Fair Work Ombudsman, the ATO or an employment lawyer for your situation. For related rates, read our minimum wage guide, or register with TQN Personnel for work.