Christmas/New Year Public Holidays and Pay Rates

Christmas/New Year time is fast approaching and here in Queensland we have three and a half (3.5) Public Holidays over the Christmas/New Year period:

With regards to payroll, all permanent full-time employees are entitled to be paid for the Public Holidays that fall on Monday 26 December 2022, Tuesday 27 December 2022 and Monday 2 January 2023. 

However, if any of your employees are required to work on Saturday 24 December 2022 from 6 pm to 12 midnight, Monday 26 December 2022, Tuesday 27 December 2022 or Monday 2 January 2023, under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award, they are entitled to penalty rates of 250% (double time and a half) for a minimum of four (4) hours.

It is common practice for most businesses to close over the Christmas/New Year period and a lot of businesses have employee’s on call during that period.  Please note under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award there is no on-call allowance for Plumber’s.  If an employee is called out to a job the following penalties apply under the Award:

• Monday to Friday – minimum of 3 hours payment, the first 2 hours at time and a half (150%) followed by double time (200%);
• Saturday (prior to 12 noon) - minimum of 3 hours payment, the first 2 hours at time and a half (150%) followed by double time (200%);
• Saturday (after 12 noon) – minimum of 3 hours payment all at double time (200%);
• Sunday – minimum of 4 hours all at double time (200%);
• Public Holidays – minimum of 4 hours payment at double time and a half (250%);

If you have any questions about this information, or would like some more specific advice, please contact the MPAQ HR team on 07 3273 0800.