11-Hour Shift: Break Entitlements
Exact meal and rest break entitlements for a 11-hour shift under Australian Modern Awards.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Quick Answer
On an 11-hour shift, most awards give you two 30-minute unpaid meal breaks plus 3 x 10-minute paid rest breaks. You'll also be earning overtime for hours beyond 8 or 38/week.
Meal Break (unpaid)
Often two meal breaks (30 min + 30 min unpaid)
Rest Breaks (paid)
3 x 10 min (paid)
Break Entitlements by Award
Break rules vary by Modern Award. Here's what a 11-hour shift looks like under the most common awards in Australia.
| Award | Meal Break | Rest Breaks |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality (HIGA) | 2 x 30 min unpaid (1 after 5 hrs, 1 after 10 hrs) | 3 x 10 min paid |
| General Retail (GRIA) | 30-60 min unpaid + possible 2nd | 2-3 x 10 min paid |
| Fast Food | 30 min unpaid after 5 hrs | 2-3 x 10 min paid |
| Clerks—Private Sector | 30-60 min unpaid + possible 2nd | No paid rest break required |
| Manufacturing | 30 min unpaid + possible 2nd after 10 hrs | 3 x 10 min paid |
| Nurses Award 2020 | 2 x 30 min unpaid (common) | 3 x 10 min paid |
How Breaks Work in Practice
- •Two meal breaks is the norm once you cross the 10-hour mark in hospitality, nursing and manufacturing.
- •You need a full 10-hour break between shifts — that's 10 hours off the clock, not from one shift start to the next.
- •Hours beyond 8 are overtime. Hours beyond 10 or 11 often hit double-time.
- •Fatigue risk is real — under WHS laws, your employer has a duty of care to manage it.
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 11-hour shift in Australia?
On a 11-hour shift under most Modern Awards, you get two x 30 min unpaid meal break(s) and 3 x 10 min (paid). 11-hour shift: two 30-min meal breaks + 3 x 10-min rest breaks. Significant overtime usually applies.
Are breaks paid on a 11-hour shift?
Meal breaks are unpaid — the clock stops. Rest breaks are paid — the clock keeps running. On a 11-hour shift, expect two x 30 min unpaid unpaid and 3 x 10 min (paid) paid.
Can my employer legally make me work 11 hours?
Yes, if it's reasonable and your award allows it. But you'll get overtime pay, you're entitled to additional breaks, and you need a 10-hour break before your next shift.
How much is overtime on an 11-hour shift?
Usually time-and-a-half for the first 2-3 hours over 8, then double-time after that. The exact rates are in your award.
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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