10-Hour Shift: Break Entitlements
Exact meal and rest break entitlements for a 10-hour shift under Australian Modern Awards.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Quick Answer
On a 10-hour shift, you get a 30-60 minute unpaid meal break plus 2-3 x 10-minute paid rest breaks. Under the Hospitality Award and some others, you're also entitled to a second 30-minute meal break once you've worked more than 10 hours.
Meal Break (unpaid)
30-60 minutes unpaid, possibly a second meal break after 10 hrs
Rest Breaks (paid)
2-3 x 10 min (paid)
Break Entitlements by Award
Break rules vary by Modern Award. Here's what a 10-hour shift looks like under the most common awards in Australia.
| Award | Meal Break | Rest Breaks |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality (HIGA) | 30 min unpaid + 2nd 30 min after 10 hrs | 2-3 x 10 min paid |
| General Retail (GRIA) | 30-60 min unpaid after 5 hrs | 2 x 10 min paid |
| Fast Food | 30 min unpaid after 5 hrs | 2 x 10 min paid |
| Clerks—Private Sector | 30-60 min unpaid after 5 hrs | No paid rest break required |
| Manufacturing | 30 min unpaid after 5 hrs | 2-3 x 10 min paid |
| Nurses Award 2020 | 30 min unpaid after 5 hrs | 2-3 x 10 min paid |
How Breaks Work in Practice
- •HIGA gives a second 30-minute unpaid meal break if you work more than 10 hours.
- •A 10-hour shift usually means overtime for 2 hours — check time-and-a-half and double-time rates.
- •You need a 10-hour break between shifts under most awards. Miss it and your employer pays penalty rates until you get one.
- •Expect break structure: rest at ~2 hrs, meal at ~5 hrs, rest at ~7 hrs, possible second meal at ~10 hrs.
What if you don't get your breaks?
If your employer isn't giving you the breaks you're entitled to under your award, that's a breach. Here's what to do.
- Raise it with your manager first — in writing if possible.
- Keep a record of every shift where you were denied a break.
- Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 or lodge an online complaint.
- You may be entitled to back pay if you worked through unpaid meal breaks — use our Back Pay Calculator.
Check your exact entitlement
Want to check your specific award and shift? Our Break Compliance Checker matches your shift length against the rules for your exact award.
Open Break Compliance Checker →Frequently Asked Questions
How many breaks do you get on a 10-hour shift in Australia?
On a 10-hour shift under most Modern Awards, you get 30-60 min unpaid (+ possible 2nd) meal break(s) and 2-3 x 10 min (paid). 10-hour shift: 30-60 min meal break + 2-3 x 10-min rest breaks. Second meal break after 10 hrs under HIGA.
Are breaks paid on a 10-hour shift?
Meal breaks are unpaid — the clock stops. Rest breaks are paid — the clock keeps running. On a 10-hour shift, expect 30-60 min unpaid (+ possible 2nd) unpaid and 2-3 x 10 min (paid) paid.
Do I get a second meal break on a 10-hour shift?
Under the Hospitality Award (HIGA), yes — a second 30-minute unpaid meal break is required once you've worked more than 10 hours. Other awards vary.
Is a 10-hour shift legal in Australia?
Yes, 10-hour shifts are legal. But you need a 10-hour break between shifts and you'll usually be paid overtime for the hours beyond 8 or 38/week.
Other shift lengths
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
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