Working a Double Shift in Hospitality — How Is It Paid?

A double shift triggers overtime on the hours beyond 10 in that day. Under the Hospitality Award, daily overtime kicks in after 10 hours worked. A double shift running 14 or 15 hours contains at least 4–5 hours of overtime — which must be paid at time-and-a-half, then double time. On top of that, evening and late-night loadings apply if the shift runs past 7pm and midnight.

If you work double shifts in any hospitality venue — this applies to you.

The rule

Under the Hospitality Award (MA000009):

• Daily overtime triggers after 10 hours in a single day
• First 2 hours of overtime: 1.5× your ordinary rate
• After 2 hours of overtime: 2× your ordinary rate
• Evening loading (7pm–midnight): +$0.00/hr on top of the applicable rate
• Late-night loading (midnight–7am): +$0.00/hr on top

All of these stack. A double shift that runs from noon to 2am involves ordinary hours, overtime hours, evening loadings, and late-night loadings — all calculated separately.

What you should be paid (worked example)

If your double shift pay looks like a flat hourly rate × hours, Check your double shift pay →

What this costs you

A 14-hour shift contains 4 hours of daily overtime. At Level 3 permanent, those 4 hours should be paid at time-and-a-half then double time — significantly above the ordinary rate. If you're paid a flat rate for the whole shift, the overtime shortfall alone is often $80–$140 per double shift. Working two double shifts per month: ~$1,600–$3,300/year in missed overtime.

What to check on your payslip

• Does overtime appear as a separate line for hours beyond 10?
• Do evening and late-night loadings appear for the hours after 7pm and midnight?
• Is one flat rate applied for all hours regardless of length?

Frequently asked questions

Don't guess — calculate what your double shift should have paid.