Time and a Half Calculator: What's Your Penalty Rate? (2026 Australia)
Calculate time and a half, double time, and other penalty rates on your base pay. Quick reference by award. Free instant calculator for Australian workers.
AINeed an answer for your situation? Ask FairWork Mate AI →Payroll & Compliance Editor · Registered BAS Agent, Cert IV Accounting & Bookkeeping
What is time and a half?
Time and a half means you are paid 1.5 times (150%) your normal hourly rate. If your base rate is $30/hour, time and a half is $45/hour. Time and a half commonly applies to: the first 2-3 hours of overtime on weekdays, Saturday work under many awards, and some public holidays depending on the award.
The exact rules depend on your Modern Award or enterprise agreement — not all workers get time and a half in the same circumstances.
Quick reference: common penalty rates by award
Here are Saturday and Sunday penalty rates for some of the most common Modern Awards. General Retail Industry Award: Saturday 125% (casuals 150%), Sunday 150% (casuals 175%). Hospitality Industry Award: Saturday 125% (casuals 150%), Sunday 150% (casuals 175%).
Clerks Award: Saturday 150% (casuals 175%), Sunday 200% (casuals 200%). Building and Construction Award: Saturday first 2 hours 150%, after 2 hours 200%, Sunday 200%.
Restaurant Industry Award: Saturday 125%, Sunday 150%. Note that casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (excluding the 25% casual loading) under some awards, while others calculate on the loaded rate. Always check your specific award. Use our Penalty Rate Calculator for exact figures.
How to calculate time and a half and double time
The formula is simple: Time and a half = Base hourly rate x 1.5. Double time = Base hourly rate x 2.0. Double time and a half = Base hourly rate x 2.5.
The short answer? For example, if your base rate is $28.50/hour: Time and a half = $28.50 x 1.5 = $42.75/hour. Double time = $28.50 x 2.0 = $57.00/hour.
For casual employees, check whether your award applies penalty rates to your base rate or your casual-loaded rate (base + 25% = $35.63). This can make a significant difference to your pay.
Try these free tools
Got a follow-up about this?
“I'm reading "Time and a Half Calculator: What's Your Penalty Rate? (2026 Australia)" on FairWork Mate. Explain how this applies in plain terms and what I should do next.”
Ask FairWork Mate AI →
Have a workplace question?
Got a specific situation this article didn't cover? Ask our AI advisor.
FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
Related articles
Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2025. Check your employer is paying the right amount — $5 billion goes unpaid every year. Free calculator included.
Minimum Wage History Australia: 2025 vs 2026 Comparison & Annual IncreasesTrack Australia's minimum wage increases from 2024 to 2026. Compare $23.23/hr (2024) to $24.95/hr (2025) to the upcoming July 2026 rate. Percentage increases, FWC annual review timeline, and how award rates change.
Penalty Rates Australia 2026: Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday PayYour weekend and public holiday penalty rates by award — retail, hospitality, fast food & more. Free calculator shows exactly what you should earn per hour.
What Award Am I Under? Find Your Modern Award in 30 SecondsNot sure which Modern Award covers your job? Use our free Award Finder — enter your industry or job title and get your award code instantly. Covers all 120+ awards.
Six years running payroll for a Western Sydney commercial builder before moving to compliance writing and contract payroll. Registered BAS Agent (TPB). Cert IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. Writes about pay calculations, superannuation, and the 2026 Payday Super rollout. Based in Cabramatta, Sydney.
Real-world cases on this topic
Fair Work and Federal Court decisions that hit on what you just read.
Western Chinese Language School Incorporated v Fair Work Ombudsman
Penalty $14,145
Fair Work Ombudsman
Drew and Schofer Real Estate Pty Ltd · Penalty $18,290
Fair Work Ombudsman
Lortoc No. 60 Pty Ltd · Penalty $22,017
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Luck Bird Pty Ltd, trading as Carlucci’s Restaurant · Penalty $194,000
Recommended partners
Free tools surface the issue. Our partners help you solve it.
Authorised Employment Hero Partner
Employment Hero
Australian HR, payroll, rostering and award interpretation in one platform. Used by 300,000+ businesses. Fixes the underlying payroll/compliance issues our calculators surface.
Best for: SMEs that have outgrown spreadsheet payroll or want automated award interpretation.
See Employment HeroLaw Tram — lawyer matching
Law Tram
Matched with the right Australian lawyer for your situation — unfair dismissal, underpayment, workplace injury, debt, tenancy and more. Many lawyers offer a free first consult and no-win-no-fee arrangements.
Best for: anyone whose workplace or personal legal issue needs proper advice, not just a calculator.
Find a lawyerIT, Microsoft & cyber partner
Frontrow Tech
Microsoft 365, Copilot rollouts, Essential Eight, Privacy Act 2026 and board-level cyber compliance for Australian SMBs. Where pay and HR end, your data and IT obligations begin.
Best for: SMBs running on Microsoft 365, anyone hitting cyber/privacy compliance, boards wanting an outside read on IT risk.
See FrontrowAffiliate partners — commissions fund the free tools on this site. We only recommend partners we've vetted as a good fit for Australian workplaces.