Can My Employer Change My Schedule Australia 2026? — Your Rights

Yes, your employer can change your schedule, but only if the change is consistent with your contract, your applicable Modern Award or enterprise agreement, and given with reasonable notice. What counts as "reasonable" is usually 7 days under most awards (sometimes shorter for emergency cover, sometimes longer for permanent shift changes). If your employer changes your shifts repeatedly with less than 24-48 hours' notice, that's typically not reasonable, and you may be able to refuse without penalty.

Most modern awards specify a minimum roster notice period. For example:

• General Retail Industry Award (MA000004) — rosters must be set 7 days in advance for permanent staff. Casual rosters can change with shorter notice but a casual is entitled to refuse a shift offered on short notice.
• Hospitality Industry (General) Award (MA000009) — rosters typically posted 7 days in advance. Last-minute changes need agreement.
• Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003) — rosters must be set 7 days in advance.
• SCHADS Award (MA000100) — at least 14 days notice for roster changes for permanent staff (this is unusually generous).

Use our Award Finder to check your specific award and what it says about rosters.

1. Check your award. Find the roster notice clause in your specific award.
2. Ask in writing. Email your manager: "Can you confirm what notice period applies under our award and how rosters will be set?"
3. Refuse unreasonable changes. If a change is given inside the award notice period and is not by mutual agreement, you can refuse. The award protects you.
4. Keep a log. Date, time, what was changed, how much notice. Use our incident log if the changes feel like targeted treatment.
5. Report it. If your employer breaches the award repeatedly, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 — they investigate roster underpayments at no cost to you.

Casuals don't have the same roster rights as permanents. Each shift is a separate engagement. If your employer offers a shift on 24 hours' notice, you can decline without penalty (you're not contractually obligated to accept). However, your employer can also offer fewer shifts in future if they choose — that's the trade-off for casual flexibility.

If you've been working a regular pattern for 6+ months, you may be entitled to convert to permanent under the Fair Work Act 2009. Check eligibility with our Casual Conversion tool.

An employer cannot change your schedule:

• To penalise you for raising a concern (general protections claim);
• To pressure you into resigning (constructive dismissal);
• In a way that breaches your written contract (e.g. contract specifies certain hours);
• For a discriminatory reason (parental responsibilities, age, race, etc.).

If any of those apply, you may have a claim under the Fair Work Act 2009 general protections provisions. Contact the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of the adverse action.