Maximum working time in Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: The National Employment Standards set a maximum of 38 weekly hours of work, plus reasonable additional hours. Daily and weekly rest and daily limits are not set by the National Employment Standards in the sources read; awards and agreements cover them.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Maximum average weekly working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment; Employees in the national workplace relations system | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Maximum daily working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment; Employees in the national workplace relations system | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum daily restEmployees (adults) in general employment; Employees in the national workplace relations system | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum weekly restEmployees (adults) in general employment; Employees in the national workplace relations system | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Normal full-time working weekEmployees (adults) in general employment; Employees in the national workplace relations system | 38 hours a week (or the employee's ordinary hours if less). An employee can work more than 38 hours only if the employer asks for reasonable additional hours; an employee may refuse additional hours that are unreasonable. Awards and agreements set the maximum ordinary hours per day, week, fortnight or month and the times of day ordinary hours can be worked. [1] |
| Individual opt-out from the weekly maximumEmployees (adults) in general employment; Employees in the national workplace relations system | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- The 38 hours are a weekly figure of ordinary hours plus 'reasonable additional hours', not a fixed ceiling or a multi-week average, so no value is shown for the average weekly maximum.
- The National Employment Standards page and Fair Work Ombudsman page read do not set this; awards, enterprise agreements and other registered agreements set daily maximums, breaks and rest, so it differs by instrument.
- No opt-out mechanism of the UK type was found in the sources read; the rule is the reasonable additional hours test.
Sources
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Hours of work (Internet Archive snapshot of 12 June 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.