ANZAC Day, a significant national day of remembrance in Australia, is also a public holiday that can affect pay rates for those in the workforce, including NDIS support workers. Understanding your entitlements regarding pay on this day is important to ensure you’re compensated fairly for your work.
Public holiday pay rates, often referred to as penalty rates, are higher than ordinary pay rates to compensate for working on a public holiday. As an NDIS support worker, here’s what you need to know:
1. Check Your Employment Agreement: Your entitlement to public holiday pay rates will be outlined in your employment contract or award. This is your starting point for understanding ANZAC Day pay rates.
2. Award and Agreements: Most NDIS support workers are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS Award). On public holidays such as ANZAC Day, full-time and part-time workers under this award are typically entitled to an extra day’s pay, a day off with pay, or an additional day added to their annual leave if they do not work on the holiday.
3. Casual Workers: Casual employees often receive a higher pay rate (known as a casual loading) instead of annual leave or personal leave benefits. On public holidays, casual workers under the SCHADS Award usually receive a higher pay rate than their standard casual loading.
4. Working on ANZAC Day: If you work on ANZAC Day, you may receive penalty rates, which are higher than your regular pay. These rates can be double time or more, depending on your award or agreement.
5. Rostering: Your employer should inform you in advance if you are required to work on ANZAC Day. Check your award or agreement for the specific rules about rostering and reasonable notice for working on public holidays.
For NDIS support workers, knowing your pay rights on ANZAC Day ensures that you are fairly remunerated for your essential services. It’s a mark of respect and recognition for the crucial work you do, even on a day of national significance. If you’re scheduled to work this ANZAC Day, take a moment to review your award or employment contract to understand your pay rate entitlements, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your employer or union representative if you have any questions. Your work is valued, and your pay should reflect that, especially on a public holiday like ANZAC Day.