Penalties, allowances and loadings

In many awards and agreements, there are certain things you may be entitled to in addition to your rate of pay. Here are examples of some of the more usual ones:

Penalties and loadings

A higher rate of pay that compensates you for work done outside usual working hours, such as late at night, weekends or on public holidays. 

An example is the Saturday and Sunday penalty rates paid to restaurant/cafe employees working their normal hours on these days. All workers in that industry receive 25% extra for their work on Saturdays and 50% extra when they work on Sunday.

Allowances

These are additional payments made to you if you undertake certain tasks such as using your own tools or performing your work under adverse conditions. 

Types of allowances include disability allowance, height allowance, dirt or danger money, qualification and supervisory allowances. 

Meal allowance

A payment if you work overtime which compensates you for the cost of a meal. 

The amount of the allowance, and when it must be paid, is clearly set out in your award.

Shift allowance

A payment made for working a shift. This money compensates you for working during non-standard (daytime) hours (eg a shift in the afternoon, at night or in the early morning). Not all inustries have a shift allowance. Check with Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.