Worked a Public Holiday Under the Mining Award — What Am I Owed?

Rates effective 1 July 2025 · MA000014

If you worked a public holiday under the Mining Award, you are owed significantly more than your ordinary rate. The Level 1 full-time public holiday rate is $63.60/hr and the casual public holiday rate is $79.50/hr. These rates are not optional — they are legal minimums your employer must pay.

The rule

Under the Mining Award, any work performed on a public holiday attracts the public holiday penalty rate. This applies to all hours worked on that day. Minimum engagement also applies — if you are called in, you are generally entitled to at least 2 to 3 hours of work (or pay for those hours), even if you are sent home earlier. Full-time and part-time employees who are not required to work are entitled to be paid their ordinary hours for the day.

Worked example

Scenario: Casual Level 1 employee works a 6-hour shift on a public holiday under the Mining Award.

Correct pay: $79.50/hr × 6 hours = $477.00

If paid the ordinary casual rate: $31.80/hr × 6 hours = $190.80

Difference: $286.20 underpaid for a single shift. Over a year with one public holiday shift per month, that is $3,434.40 in lost wages.

What to check on your payslip

The public holiday hours are listed separately from ordinary hours
The hourly rate shown for those hours matches the public holiday rate (at least $63.60/hr full-time or $79.50/hr casual for Level 1)
You were paid for minimum engagement hours even if sent home early
If you did not work the public holiday, you were still paid ordinary hours (full-time and part-time only)

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Frequently asked questions

Do I have to work on a public holiday under the Mining Award?

Your employer can request you work on a public holiday, but you can refuse if the request is unreasonable. Factors include the nature of the workplace, your personal circumstances, and whether you were given adequate notice.

What if my employer only pays me the normal rate for a public holiday?

Under the Mining Award, public holiday work must be paid at the public holiday rate — not the ordinary rate. If your payslip shows the same rate as a normal weekday, you are being underpaid and should raise it with your employer or contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.

Does the minimum engagement apply on a public holiday?

Yes. If you are called in to work on a public holiday, minimum engagement rules still apply. Casuals are typically entitled to a minimum of 2 to 3 hours pay at the public holiday rate, even if they are sent home earlier.

Rates sourced from the Fair Work Commission pay guide for the Mining Award (MA000014), effective 1 July 2025. General information only — not legal advice. Verify at fairwork.gov.au.