Pay rate builder for any award or agreement
Configure your pay rates once, then let RosterElf calculate every timesheet accurately — penalties, overtime, allowances, all of it.
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Works with any Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement
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Set up once, applies to every timesheet
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Eliminate calculation errors permanently
Set up once, accurate forever
Configure your pay rates in minutes using our step-by-step builder. Once set, RosterElf calculates every timesheet automatically — no spreadsheets, no manual maths, no errors.
Enter your rates
Add base rates, penalty rates, overtime rules, and allowances from your award or enterprise agreement. The builder guides you through each step.
Define your rules
Specify when rates apply — weekdays, weekends, public holidays, time ranges, employment types. Your rules, your way.
Automatic calculation
Every timesheet calculates automatically using your rates. Penalties, overtime, allowances — all applied correctly, every time.
Works with any award or agreement
Not locked into pre-built templates
Whether you operate under a Modern Award, an Enterprise Agreement, or a custom pay structure — RosterElf adapts to your business, not the other way around.
You enter the rates and rules that apply to your team. The system doesn't assume or guess. You get exactly what you configure, calculated accurately every time.
- Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, Aged Care, and more
- Enterprise Agreements and custom structures
- Multiple classifications and employment types
No more manual calculations
Spreadsheets and manual maths cause mistakes
Every manual calculation is a chance for error. Wrong rate applied? Missed a penalty period? Forgot casual loading? These mistakes cost money and create compliance risk.
RosterElf applies your pay rules automatically to actual clock-in times. The same logic, applied consistently, every single timesheet.
- Automatic penalty rate calculation
- Split-shift rates handled automatically
- Overtime thresholds tracked and applied
Pay staff correctly, every time
Underpayment is expensive
Fair Work penalties for underpayment are significant. Back-pay claims, audits, and reputational damage add up fast. The safest approach is to get it right from the start.
RosterElf gives you confidence that your configured rates are applied consistently to every hour worked. Clear records, clear calculations, clear conscience.
- Consistent rate application across all staff
- Detailed audit trail for every calculation
- Export reports for compliance documentation
Complete pay rate control
Configure every aspect of your pay structure in one place.
Base rates
Set hourly rates by classification, role, or individual employee. Support for multiple pay levels.
Penalty rates
Weekend rates, evening rates, public holidays. Define when penalties apply and at what multiplier.
Overtime
Daily and weekly overtime thresholds. Different rates for first hours vs subsequent overtime.
Allowances
Meal allowances, travel, uniforms, and more. Flat amounts or calculated automatically.
Casual loading
Percentage or fixed loading for casual employees. Applied automatically based on employment type.
Classifications
Multiple classification levels with different rates. Junior, senior, trainee — whatever your award requires.
Split shifts
Automatic handling when shifts cross rate boundaries. No manual splitting required.
Public holidays
Configure public holiday rates and mark dates in the calendar. Rates apply automatically.
Benefits of automated pay calculation
Configure once, done forever
Set up your rates once and they apply to every timesheet automatically. No weekly rate lookups, no manual calculations.
Zero calculation errors
The system applies your rules consistently to every timesheet. Same logic, same accuracy, every time.
Save hours every pay cycle
No more spreadsheets or manual rate lookups. Timesheets are ready to export with rates already calculated.
Works with your payroll system
Export calculated timesheets to Xero, MYOB, or any payroll system. Rates are ready for import.
Clear audit trail
Every calculation is documented. See exactly how each timesheet was calculated for compliance and queries.
Real-time cost visibility
See labour costs as you build rosters. Know what payroll will be before shifts are even worked.
What is a pay rate builder?
A pay rate builder is a configuration tool that lets you set up your business's pay structure — base rates, penalty rates, overtime rules, allowances, and more. Once configured, the system automatically calculates pay for every timesheet based on actual hours worked.
RosterElf's pay rate builder works with any Australian Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement. You're not limited to pre-built templates — enter the exact rates and rules from your award or agreement, and the system calculates accurately every time. Set it up once during onboarding, and it applies to every timesheet from then on.
Pay rate builder FAQs
- Navigate to Pay Rates in your RosterElf account and use the step-by-step builder to configure base rates, penalty rates, overtime rules, and allowances for each role or employment type. The builder guides you through each rate type, and once configured, rates apply automatically to timesheets. Setup typically takes 20-30 minutes.
- In the pay rate builder, define penalty rate rules by specifying which days and times attract penalties, the multiplier or flat rate to apply, and which employment types are affected. For example, set 1.5x for Saturdays and 2x for Sundays. RosterElf calculates penalties automatically based on actual clock-in times.
- Configure overtime thresholds in the pay rate builder by setting daily and weekly hour limits, then defining the overtime rate multiplier (e.g., 1.5x after 8 hours per day or 38 hours per week). RosterElf tracks hours worked and applies overtime rates automatically when thresholds are exceeded, calculating split-rate shifts correctly.
- Use the allowance configuration in the pay rate builder to add meal allowances, travel allowances, casual loading, or any other allowances required by your award or agreement. Set allowances as fixed amounts or percentages, specify when they apply, and they'll automatically include in timesheet exports to payroll.
- When Fair Work announces rate changes, navigate to Pay Rates in RosterElf, select the rate to update, and enter the new value. Changes apply to all future timesheets automatically without affecting historical data. RosterElf can notify you when common award rate changes are announced so you don't miss updates.
Learn how to get the most from this feature
Step-by-step guides to help you master these workflows
Start your free 15 day RosterElf trial today
Set up your pay rates in minutes. Calculate every timesheet accurately, automatically. Designed for Australian businesses.