Hours of work
JobKeeper changes to the Fair Work Act
On 9 April 2020, the Fair Work Act was amended to support the implementation and operation of the JobKeeper scheme in Australian workplaces.
For information about the changes and how they apply, go to JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme.
Due to the impacts coronavirus is having on the community, a number of unions and employer associations are applying to the Fair Work Commission to increase award flexibility.
This may affect the entitlements on this page.
For a list of determinations and to see if your award is affected go to Temporary changes to workplace laws during coronavirus.
Ordinary hours are an employee's normal and regular hours of work, which do not attract overtime rates.
Awards, enterprise agreements and other registered agreements set out any:
- maximum ordinary hours in a day, week, fortnight or month
- minimum ordinary hours in a day
- times of the day ordinary hours can be worked (eg. between 7am - 7pm).
The ordinary hours can be different for full-time, part-time and casual employees.
Spread of hours
The time of the day ordinary hours are worked is called the spread of hours (eg. between 7am - 7pm). Time worked outside the spread of ordinary hours can attract overtime rates.
Find more information about maximum and minimum hours of work and the spread of hours in your award by selecting from the list below.
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- Building, construction and on-site trades
- Clerical
- Contract cleaning services
- Don't know
- Hair and beauty
- Health support services
- Horticulture
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Other
- Real estate
- Retail
- Road Transport
- Security
- Social, community, disability and home care services
- Storage services and wholesale
Maximum weekly hours
An employee can work a maximum of 38 hours in a week unless an employer asks them to work reasonable extra hours. See our Maximum weekly hours fact sheet.
Source reference: Fair Work Act 2009 s.62 
Think a mistake might have been made?
Mistakes can happen. The best way to fix them usually starts with talking.
Check out our Help resolving workplace issues section for practical advice on:
- figuring out if a mistake has been made
- talking to your employer or employee about fixing it
- getting help from us if you can't resolve it.
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