If you are working over Easter, or Anzac Day, make sure you are receiving the correct penalty rates.
The following advice applies to public sector members working under the Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) Single Interest Employers Enterprise Agreement 2024–2028 and the Victorian Public Mental Health Services Enterprise Agreement 2024- 2028. If you work in the private sector, you should check your enterprise agreement for your public holiday entitlements. You can check your Enterprise Agreement via the ANMF Member Portal.
Relevant dates
- Friday 3 April: Good Friday
- Saturday 4 April: Easter Saturday
- Sunday 5 April: Easter Sunday (also the end of daylight saving)
- Monday 6 April: Easter Monday
- Saturday 25 April: Anzac Day
What are the penalty payments for working these public holidays?
All full-time and part-time employees are to be paid:
- 200% of your base rate for time worked on Good Friday and / or Easter Monday
- 250% of your base rate for time worked on Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day
You can work this out by multiplying your hourly base rate x2 for a weekday public holiday and multiplying your hourly rate x2.5 for a weekend public holiday.
For casual employees the penalties are as follows:
- 250% of your base rate for time worked on Good Friday and / or Easter Monday
- 312.5% of your base rate for time worked on Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day
The above weekend public holiday rates include the weekend shift penalty.
I’m a full-time worker. What happens if I’m on a day off on a public holiday?
You are entitled to the day off, with pay. Please note your employer can determine whether this day is paid in addition to your usual hours or if the day replaces a shift.
If you are a full-time shift worker, please contact Member Assistance for further advice.
I’m a part-timer who works both weekdays and weekends, but I’m not working on the public holidays. What should I get paid?
If you would normally be rostered to work on the day the public holiday falls but your unit is closed, you are entitled to the day off, with pay.
If the public holiday falls on your day off, you will likely be entitled to a pro rata or averaged hours entitlement.
You will receive a non-worked public holiday entitlement at your base rate of pay (no penalties) for the average hours you have worked on that specific day of the week over the past six months. This amount may vary considerably depending on the days of the week you usually work.
Please note your employer can determine whether this day is paid in addition to your usual hours or if the day replaces a shift.
I’m a part-timer who only works Monday–Friday, but not weekends; do I receive any non-worked public holiday payment for the weekend public holidays?
You will not receive payment for the weekend public holidays.
Note: ANZAC Day is commemorated on the day it falls. There is no substitute holiday when ANZAC Day falls on a weekend.
What if I’m recalled to duty?
If you are recalled to duty, all payment for that recall is paid at the public holiday rate rather than the overtime rates, as public holiday rates are higher. If you are only recalled for a short period of time, you may also still be entitled to a non-worked public holiday payment depending on the hours you are entitled to.
What if I’m rostered to work night duty?
A night duty employee is entitled to be paid the appropriate public holiday rates for each hour worked on that part of shift that falls on the public holiday.
A night duty employee must be paid at the pro rata public holiday rostered off benefit for that part of a shift that falls on the public holiday that they are not rostered to work and do not work.
