General information only — not legal advice. First speak with your employer, then if unsuccessful contact Fair Work or an employment lawyer.
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Worked Christmas Day at a Restaurant — What Am I Owed?

Last updated: March 2026 · MA000119

Christmas Day pay under the Restaurant Industry Award is 2.25× the ordinary rate for permanent employees, with the applicable casual public holiday rate for casuals. Minimum engagement is 4 hours for permanent employees and 2 hours for casuals.

Working Christmas Day at your normal rate? You're being significantly underpaid.

The rule

Christmas Day is a national public holiday. Under the Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119), public holiday rates apply to all work performed on this day. Permanent employees receive 2.25× their ordinary hourly rate. Casuals receive the applicable casual public holiday rate. Minimum engagement is 4 hours for permanent/part-time and 2 hours for casuals.

What you should be paid

Level 2 permanent working Christmas Day

  • Ordinary hourly rate: $25.85/hr
  • Christmas Day rate (2.25×): $58.16/hr
  • Minimum 4-hour shift: $232.64

If paid at the ordinary rate instead, you'd receive only $103.40 for 4 hours — a shortfall of $129.24 for a single shift.

What to check on your payslip

  • Is Christmas Day shown as a public holiday line item?
  • Is the rate 2.25× your ordinary rate (permanent)?
  • Were you paid for at least 4 hours (permanent) or 2 hours (casual)?
  • If you didn't work but it's your normal day, were you paid your ordinary rate?

Frequently asked questions

The restaurant is closed Christmas Day and I'm permanent — do I still get paid?

Yes. If you're a permanent (full-time or part-time) employee and Christmas Day falls on a day you would normally work, you're entitled to a paid day off at your ordinary rate. You don't lose pay because the business chooses to close.

I worked 3 hours on Christmas Day as a permanent employee — do I get paid for 4?

Yes. The minimum engagement for permanent and part-time employees on a public holiday is 4 hours. Even if you only work 3 hours, you must be paid for 4 hours at the public holiday rate (2.25×).

I'm part-time and was rostered off on Christmas Day — am I entitled to anything?

If Christmas Day falls on a day you would normally work under your regular roster, you're entitled to a paid day off at your ordinary rate. If it doesn't fall on one of your normal working days, there's generally no entitlement.

Check your Christmas Day rate matches the public holiday entitlement.

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General information only. Verify at fairwork.gov.au.