SCHADS Award
Broken shift calculator
Enter the shift details below to calculate the total cost of a broken shift under the SCHADS Award — including penalty rates, the broken shift allowance, minimum engagement check, and travel allowance.
Worker details
Period 1
Break between periods
Unpaid break separating the two work periods.
Period 2 (optional)
Travel between clients
$0.99/km — leave blank if not applicable.
Total shift cost
$175.42
gross, before superannuation (11.5%)
Base hourly rate
$38.65/hr
Broken shift allowance
$20.82
Plain English summary
This is a broken shift. The broken shift allowance of $20.82 applies because there is one unpaid break between work periods (SCHADS clause 20.12).
Itemised breakdown
Period 1
2h worked — Weekday ordinary (100%)
$38.65/hr × 2.00h
$77.30
Period 2
2h worked — Weekday ordinary (100%)
$38.65/hr × 2.00h
$77.30
Broken shift allowance
1 unpaid break — flat rate per shift (clause 20.12)
$20.82
Total shift cost
$175.42
Rates based on SCHADS Award MA000100, effective 1 July 2025. For guidance only — not legal or financial advice. Verify at fairwork.gov.au before processing payroll.
How this calculator works
Broken shift allowance
When you add a second work period with a break between them, the broken shift allowance is automatically applied. One unpaid break triggers a $20.82 allowance; two unpaid breaks (three periods) trigger $27.56. Rates operative 1 July 2025, SCHADS clause 20.12.
Minimum engagement check
Each work period must be at least 2 hours under SCHADS clause 10.5 (home care and disability). If a period is shorter than 2 hours, the calculator warns you and charges for the 2-hour minimum. You cannot roster a period shorter than 2 hours without paying for 2 hours.
Penalty rates
Weekday ordinary (100%), Saturday (150%), Sunday (200%), and Public Holiday (250% permanent / 275% casual) penalty rates are applied automatically based on the selected day. Casual employees have the 25% loading embedded within the penalty multiplier, consistent with SCHADS Award MA000100.
Travel allowance
The $0.99/km vehicle allowance (SCHADS clause 20.3) is applied to the kilometres entered. This covers travel between clients during the shift — not the commute to the first or from the last client.
This calculator is for guidance only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always verify against the official SCHADS Award (MA000100) and the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide at fairwork.gov.au.
Teiro calculates broken shifts automatically
Teiro detects broken shift patterns in your roster before you publish, calculates the allowance automatically, checks minimum engagement for every period, and keeps a complete audit trail.