Fast Food Shift After 10pm — Am I Getting a Loading?
Last updated: March 2026 · MA000003
Yes, you should be getting a loading for every hour you work after 10pm. Under the Fast Food Industry Award, there is a 10% loading from 10pm to midnight and a 15% loading after midnight — on top of your ordinary or casual rate.
The rule
The Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003) provides a late-night loading for all employees. Between 10pm and midnight, you receive an additional 10% on top of your ordinary hourly rate. After midnight, the loading increases to 15%. These loadings apply Monday to Sunday and are separate from weekend penalty rates. If you work a Sunday night shift past 10pm, you receive both the Sunday penalty and the late-night loading.
What you should be paid
Grade 1 full-time, 4pm–11pm weekday shift
- 4pm–10pm (6 hrs) at base rate: $26.55/hr
- 10pm–11pm (1 hr) at late night rate (110%): $29.21/hr
- After midnight rate (115%): $30.53/hr
- Total for 7-hr shift: $188.51
At a flat rate, you'd receive $185.85 — missing $2.66 in late night loading.
What to check on your payslip
- Are your hours after 10pm shown at a higher rate than your pre-10pm hours?
- Is the late night loading (10% or 15%) itemised separately?
- If you work past midnight, does the rate increase from 10% to 15% at that point?
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Frequently asked questions
Does the late night loading apply to casuals as well?
Yes. The late night loading (10% from 10pm to midnight, 15% after midnight) applies to all employees — casual, part-time, and full-time. For casuals, this loading is applied on top of your casual rate. It's a separate entitlement from the 25% casual loading.
What if my shift starts at 9pm and finishes at 11pm?
You receive your ordinary rate (or casual rate) for the hour from 9pm to 10pm. From 10pm to 11pm, you receive the 10% late night loading on top of your base rate. The loading only kicks in at 10pm — not for the entire shift.
Is the late night loading shown separately on my payslip?
It should be. Best practice is for your payslip to show a separate line item for late night hours with the loading applied. If your payslip only shows a single flat rate for the entire shift, you should ask your employer to clarify whether the loading is included.
General information only — not legal advice. Verify details at fairwork.gov.au.