Split Shift Allowance Calculator
Work out your split or broken shift allowance per day and week under 7 awards, plus span-of-hours limits and overtime. FY2026-27 FWC rates.
Last verified: 26 September 2026Split shift allowance by award (from 1 July 2026)
The allowance is paid on top of your wages for the hours you work. Figures apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 and match the Fair Work Commission's pay database and each award's consolidated text.
| Award | Clause | Allowance | Who / when | Max span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Industry (General) (MA000009) | cl 26.14(b) | $3.69 / day (gap 2–3 hrs); $5.60 / day (gap over 3 hrs) | Full-time and part-time only | 12 hrs (cl 15.1(c)(v), 15.2(e)) |
| Restaurant Industry (MA000119) | cl 21.3(b) | $5.60 per work period of 2 hrs or more | Full-time and part-time only | 12 hrs (cl 15.1(g)) |
| SCHADS (MA000100) | cl 20.12 | $21.81 (1 unpaid break); $28.87 (2 unpaid breaks) | Max 2 breaks; 2 breaks only by agreement | 12 hrs; beyond = double time (cl 25.6(f)) |
| Children's Services (MA000120) | cl 15.1 | $21.38 / day | Two separate shifts in a day | 12 hrs (cl 21.3) |
| Cleaning Services (MA000022) | cl 17.2 | $4.71 / day, max $23.56 / week | 2 periods, break longer than 1 hr | 13 hrs (cl 17.2(a)) |
| Security Services (MA000016) | cl 17.4 | $18.30 per rostered shift | 2 periods; each paid at least 3 hrs (cl 13.3(i)) | Not set |
| Fitness Industry (MA000094) | cl 17.2(b) | $18.07 / day + $2.15 / day excess fares | Max 2 parts, at least 3 hrs total | 12 hrs (cl 13.4(c)) |
Sources: Fair Work Commission modern awards pay database (wage and expense allowances, operative 1 July 2026) and award text at awards.fairwork.gov.au, checked 26 September 2026.
Home care or disability worker driving between clients? The SCHADS broken shift and travel pay calculator adds paid travel time and the per-kilometre vehicle allowance. For the rules behind split shifts, see our split shift rules guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the split shift allowance in 2026?
From 1 July 2026 it depends on your award: Hospitality pays $3.69 a day when the gap between shifts is 2 to 3 hours and $5.60 a day when it is over 3 hours (cl 26.14); the Restaurant Award pays $5.60 for each work period of 2 hours or more (cl 21.3); SCHADS pays $21.81 per broken shift with one unpaid break or $28.87 with two (cl 20.12); Children's Services pays $21.38 a day (cl 15.1); Cleaning pays $4.71 a day up to $23.56 a week (cl 17.2); Security pays $18.30 per shift (cl 17.4); Fitness pays $18.07 a day plus $2.15 excess fares (cl 17.2(b)).
Do casuals get a split shift allowance?
Not under the Hospitality or Restaurant awards — both clauses apply only to full-time and part-time employees (Hospitality cl 26.14(a), Restaurant cl 21.3(a)). Under SCHADS, Children's Services, Cleaning, Security and Fitness the broken shift allowance isn't limited to permanent staff, so casuals rostered on a broken shift get it too.
What is the maximum spread of hours for a split shift?
12 hours under the Hospitality, Restaurant, Children's Services, Fitness and SCHADS awards, and 13 hours under the Cleaning Award. Under SCHADS, any work beyond the 12-hour span is paid at double time (cl 25.6(f)). Under the Restaurant Award, a full-time employee's work outside the spread is paid at overtime rates (cl 23.1(a)).
Is a split shift the same as a broken shift?
Yes — awards use both terms for a working day split into separate periods with an unpaid gap. Hospitality and Restaurant call it a split shift; SCHADS, Cleaning, Security, Fitness and Children's Services call it a broken shift. Each award sets its own definition, allowance and limits.
Is the split shift allowance paid for each shift or each day?
Mostly per day or per broken shift. The Restaurant Award is the exception: it pays $5.60 for each separate work period of 2 hours or more, so a day with two 3-hour periods earns $11.20. The Cleaning Award also caps the weekly total at $23.56.
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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.