The festive season is just around the corner so this week’s HR Highlight will review the coming public holidays.
This holiday season:
Public Holiday Rates – Time worked PLUS
When a full-time or part-time employee works a public holiday they have to be paid for the public holiday PLUS paid a premium or penalty for working on what should have been a day off for them.
When calculating and communicating pay rates to staff there can be some confusion. This is compounded by the special treatment of Christmas Day and Boxing day in most modern awards. It is important to review the Award, or employment instrument that the employee is engaged under, to determine the rates and minimum hours to be offered.
ACAPMA members are reminded that ACAPMA can provide advice and support on the operation of public holidays in the industry, as well as resources on the calculation and application of public holiday rates.
Regional Holidays
It is also important to note that Regional Public Holidays may apply in a businesses area of operations and will be treated as public holidays if applicable. For a list of Regional Holidays please click here.
| Public Holiday | Date | Applies to State – note (exceptions/notations in brackets) |
| Christmas Eve | Wednesday 23 December 2014 | (SA – part day holiday 7pm-12 midnight) |
| Christmas Day | Thursday 25 December 2014 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA |
| Boxing Day | Friday 26 December 2014 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA |
| New Year’s Eve | Thursday 31 December 2015 | (SA – part day holiday 7pm-12 midnight) |
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA |
| Australia Day | Monday 26 January 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA |
| Labour Day | Monday 2 March 2015 | WA |
| Canberra Day | Monday 9 March 2015 | ACT, SA, TAS, VIC |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA |
| Easter Saturday | Saturday 4 April 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, VIC |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday 5 April 2015 | NSW |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA |
| Easter Tuesday | Tuesday 7 April 2015 | (TAS – Restricted to some Awards and Agreements) |
| Anzac Day | Saturday 25 April 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, (WA either this or the alternate depending on the Award or Agreement) |
| Alternate Anzac Day | Monday 27 April 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, (WA either this or the standard depending on the Award or Agreement) |
| May Day | Monday 4 May 2015 | NT |
| Western Australia Day | Monday 1 June 2015 | WA |
| Queen’s Birthday | Monday 8 June 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC |
| Picnic Day | Monday 3 August 2015 | NT |
| Queen’s Birthday | Monday 28 September 2015 | (WA local areas may gazzette alternate dates) |
| Family & Community Day | Monday 28 September 2015 | ACT |
| Labour Day | Monday 5 October 2015 | ACT, NSW, QLD, SA |
| Melbourne Cup | Tuesday 3 November 2015 | VIC |
| Christmas Eve | Thursday 24 December 2015 | (SA – part day holiday 7pm-12 midnight) |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA |
| Boxing Day | Saturday 26 December 2015 | NSW, QLD, VIC, (WA – either this or the alternate depending on the Award or Agreement) |
| Alternate/Additional Boxing Day | Monday 28 December 2015 | ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, (WA – either this or the standard depengding on the Award Agreement) |
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 31 December 2015 | (SA – part day holiday 7pm-12 midnight) |
Here to Help
Through the festive season ACAPMA Workplace Relations Professionals are available to assist members on 1300 160 270 or you can email elishar@acapma.com.au. Through the Easter period and indeed all year round, ACAPMA members can access resources and can call on the advice and support of the ACAPMAlliance Workplace Relations Professionals on 1300 160 270.
HR Highlights are things to consider, implement and watch out for in your business. They are provided as general advice and you should seek further advice on your situation by calling 1300 160 270 and speaking to one of ACAPMA Workplace Relations Professionals its free for members. ACAPMA membership is affordable at only $770 per year for a single site, which represents great value with sites gaining HR advice support and representation as well as a raft of other benefits and discounts. Learn more about ACAPMA membership here.
