Not Getting Overtime in the Fitness Industry?
Last updated: April 2026 · Rates effective 1 July 2025 · MA000094
If you work extra hours in a gym or fitness centre and don't see overtime on your payslip, you're likely being underpaid. The Fitness Industry Award has clear overtime provisions, and they apply to full-time, part-time, and casual employees. Fitness employers frequently ignore overtime because the work often looks like “just one more class” — but the law doesn't care about the format.
If you regularly work beyond your agreed hours and your pay doesn't reflect it — you're owed overtime.
The rule
Under the Fitness Industry Award, overtime is payable at 150% (time and a half) for the first two hours and 200% (double time) after that. For full-time employees, overtime triggers after 38 ordinary hours per week or beyond the maximum ordinary hours in a single day. Part-time employees trigger overtime when they work beyond their agreed hours.
Overtime also applies on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays at specific rates under the award.
Worked example
Scenario: Full-time gym instructor, contracted for 38 hours/week. Regularly covers 3 extra classes per week (approx. 3 additional hours). Paid at the ordinary hourly rate for all hours.
What should happen: The first 2 extra hours should be at 150% of the base rate. The third hour should be at 200%.
What actually happens: Employer pays ordinary rate for all 41 hours, treating the extra classes as part of the normal roster.
Estimated underpayment: $30–$50+ per week just on overtime alone.
Why it happens: Fitness work is often rostered in class blocks. Employers treat “picking up a class” as informal, but the hours still count toward overtime thresholds.
What to check on your payslip
- Total hours worked vs. your contracted ordinary hours
- Whether overtime is listed as a separate line item at 150% or 200%
- Whether extra classes or cover shifts appear at ordinary rate or overtime rate
- Whether Saturday work beyond ordinary hours triggers overtime
Calculate your overtime entitlement
Enter your actual hours worked and see exactly what your pay should be — including overtime rates.
Not sure if your Fitness Award pay is right?
Enter your shifts and find out in 2 minutes. Free, instant, based on official Fair Work rates.
Check my pay nowNo sign-up required
Frequently asked questions
Does overtime apply to part-time fitness workers?
Yes. Part-time employees are entitled to overtime when they work beyond their agreed hours, or beyond the daily or weekly overtime triggers in the award. If your contract says 25 hours per week and you regularly work 30, those extra 5 hours should be paid at overtime rates.
I cover extra classes when someone calls in sick — is that overtime?
It can be. If covering that class pushes you beyond your ordinary hours for the day or week, overtime rates apply. Your employer can't just add hours to your roster without triggering overtime entitlements once you exceed the threshold.
My employer says casual workers don't get overtime — is that true?
No. Casual employees are entitled to overtime under the Fitness Industry Award. The triggers may differ slightly (e.g., after 38 hours in a week or after the daily maximum), but casuals absolutely receive overtime. The casual loading does not replace overtime pay.
Don't guess — enter your actual shifts and find out in 2 minutes.
Based on official pay rates from the Fair Work Commission (MA000094).
Not sure if your Fitness Award pay is right?
Enter your shifts and find out in 2 minutes. Free, instant, based on official Fair Work rates.
Check my pay nowNo sign-up required
Rates sourced from the Fair Work Commission pay guide for the Fitness Industry Award 2020 (MA000094), effective 1 July 2025. General information only — not legal advice. Verify at fairwork.gov.au.