Penalty Rate Pay Calculator
Calculate your total earnings including weekend, night, and holiday loading.
Manual Entry
Saturday (125%)
Sunday (150%)
Public Holiday (250%)
Evening/Night (115%)
Standard Hourly Rate:
$0.00
Penalty Pay Rate:
$0.00
Loading Amount (Extra):
$0.00
Total Shift Earnings:
$0.00
Understanding Penalty Rates and Shift Loading
Penalty rates are increased rates of pay applied to specific hours or days of work. These are commonly mandated in employment awards or enterprise agreements to compensate employees for working outside of standard business hours, such as weekends, late nights, or public holidays.
Common Penalty Rate Examples
In many modern awards, penalty rates follow standard percentage increments based on the time worked:
- Saturday Work: Often carries a loading of 25% (Total rate of 125%).
- Sunday Work: Typically carries a loading of 50% to 100% (Total rate of 150% to 200%).
- Public Holidays: Frequently paid at 250% (Double time and a half).
- Afternoon/Night Shifts: Usually incurs a 15% loading for hours worked within specific late-night windows.
How to Calculate Your Penalty Pay
Calculating your take-home pay for a penalty shift involves three main steps:
- Identify your Base Rate: This is your standard hourly wage without any extras.
- Determine the Loading: Identify the percentage increase. For example, a 25% Saturday loading means you multiply your base rate by 1.25.
- Multiply by Hours: Take your new penalty rate and multiply it by the total hours worked during that specific period.
Example Calculation
If you earn a base rate of $30.00 per hour and work a 5-hour Sunday shift with a 50% loading:
- Penalty Rate: $30.00 × 1.50 = $45.00 per hour.
- Total Earnings: $45.00 × 5 hours = $225.00.
- The penalty component alone earned you an extra $75.00 compared to a standard shift.
Note: Always check your specific Employment Contract or Fair Work Award, as rates can vary based on industry and employment status (Full-time vs. Casual). Casual employees often receive a 25% casual loading on top of penalty rates.