If my shift is cancelled, am I owed any pay?

It depends on your award and how the cancellation happened. If you had already started, or you presented for duty as rostered and were sent home, you are generally paid the full minimum engagement for your award even if little or no work was done. If the shift is cancelled before it starts, Modern Awards do not set a fixed cancellation fee — whether you are paid turns on your award, your roster terms and how much notice you were given.

What is minimum engagement?

Minimum engagement is the shortest block of work you can be paid for once you are engaged on a shift. Most Modern Awards set a minimum of 2 to 4 hours. For example, the Hospitality Award (MA000009) and Restaurant Award (MA000119) set 2 hours for casuals (clause 11.3); the General Retail Award (MA000004) and Fast Food Award (MA000003) set 3 hours; the Security Services Award (MA000016) sets 4 hours.

What is the minimum shift length for a student?

Under the General Retail Industry Award (MA000004), a secondary-school student may be engaged for a minimum of 1.5 hours in limited circumstances (clause 11.3) — for example, where the student is available to work only a short period and the parent or guardian agrees. Outside those circumstances the casual minimum engagement is 3 hours.

My shift was cancelled the day before with 36 hours' notice — am I owed anything?

Generally no. When a shift is cancelled before it starts with reasonable notice, Modern Awards do not require the employer to pay the minimum engagement. The minimum engagement applies once you are engaged — that is, once you start the shift or present for duty as rostered. Check your roster terms or enterprise agreement, which can set additional cancellation entitlements.

Which awards have a minimum engagement and how many hours?

Hospitality (MA000009): casual 2 hours, part-time 3 hours. Restaurant (MA000119): casual 2 hours, part-time 3 hours. Fast Food (MA000003): 3 hours. General Retail (MA000004): 3 hours (1.5 hours for some secondary-school students). SCHADS (MA000100): 2 hours for most work, 3 hours for social and community services work. Security Services (MA000016): 4 hours. Children's Services (MA000120): 2 hours (4 hours for weekend and public-holiday work).

Shift Cancelled? What You're Owed

Your shift was cancelled with little notice. Work out the minimum engagement for your award and whether you're likely owed cancellation pay as a casual or part-time worker.

Last verified: 2 August 2026

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Shift Cancelled? What You're Owed

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