Hospitality Manager Not Getting Overtime — Is That Right?
Last updated: March 2026 · MA000009
Probably not. There's a widespread belief that managers in hospitality aren't entitled to overtime. It's frequently wrong. Managers covered by the Hospitality Award are entitled to overtime unless their salary genuinely and demonstrably exceeds all award obligations including overtime — in every week they work. Most hospitality manager salaries don't clear this bar during busy periods.
If you're a hospitality manager working long weeks on a fixed salary — this applies to you.
The rule
Under the Hospitality Award (MA000009), managers at Levels 4 and 5 are covered employees. Overtime applies after:
- More than 38 ordinary hours per week, or
- More than 10 hours in a single day
A salary arrangement is only legally sufficient if the salary is demonstrably higher than all award obligations across every week worked — including the overtime rate for every hour beyond the threshold.
If you regularly work 50-hour weeks, your salary needs to cover:
- 38 hours at ordinary rate
- 2 hours at 1.5× your ordinary rate
- 10 hours at 2× your ordinary rate
For most hospitality manager salaries, that calculation doesn't stack up during busy periods.
The calculation test
Level 4 permanent rate: $0.00/hr.
In a 50-hour week, total entitlement:
- 38 × $0.00 = $0.00
- 2 × $0.00 = $0.00
- 10 × $0.00 = $0.00
Total: $0.00 for that week alone
If your weekly salary is less than this during busy weeks, the salary doesn't cover overtime.
What this costs you
A Level 4 permanent manager regularly working 50-hour weeks on a salary that covers only 38 hours is owed approximately $350–$450/week in overtime. Over 52 weeks: ~$18,000–$23,000/year. For many hospitality managers, this is the single largest source of underpayment — and the one least likely to be raised because "managers don't get overtime" is accepted as fact.
What to check
- Does your salary demonstrably exceed all award obligations in your busiest weeks?
- Have you ever been shown a formal calculation proving your salary covers overtime?
- Do you regularly work 50+ hours without any additional payment?
If the answer to the first two is no and the third is yes, Calculate your overtime shortfall →
Frequently asked questions
My employer says managers don't get overtime — is that right?
Not automatically. Managers covered by the Hospitality Award are entitled to overtime unless their salary provably covers it. The assumption that "managers don't get overtime" is often wrong.
What if I'm above the award — does it still apply?
If you're employed under an individual arrangement that's genuinely better overall than the award, specific provisions may differ. But the arrangement must be assessed against the award — it can't simply ignore it.
Can I claim back unpaid overtime from previous years?
Yes — up to 6 years. Depending on how many hours you've worked over 38 per week and for how long, this could be a significant amount.
Don't guess — check whether your salary covers what you're actually working.
Not sure if your Hospitality 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
General information only. Verify at fairwork.gov.au.