Roster notice policy template
A free, ready-to-edit roster notice policy template for Australian businesses. Set clear minimum notice periods for publishing rosters, define how schedules are communicated, and explain the notice and consultation required to change a published roster — so you meet your modern award obligations and give staff time to plan. No signup required.
Roster notice policy
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This roster notice policy template reflects Australian workplace standards and common modern award rostering provisions at the time of publication. It is a general guide only — roster notice periods vary by award and enterprise agreement, so check your applicable award and adapt the template before use. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Why your business needs a roster notice policy
Many modern awards require employers to give a minimum amount of notice when they publish a roster, and a further minimum notice — usually with consultation — before they change one. The Hospitality and Retail awards, for example, generally require at least 7 days’ notice for roster publication. A documented roster notice policy is the simplest way to prove you meet these obligations consistently.
Beyond compliance, adequate notice helps employees arrange childcare, study and second jobs, and reduces last-minute disputes and no-shows. It signals respect for work-life balance and makes your business a more reliable place to work.
This policy sets out when rosters are published, how they are communicated, and the notice and consultation required to change them. It pairs naturally with your rostering policy and roster changes policy. Store it and capture employee acknowledgements in your HR software so you can show every worker has read and understood it.
What a roster notice policy should cover
The essentials of fair, compliant roster publication
Publication notice period
Minimum timeframe for publishing the roster before the cycle begins — often at least 7 days.
Roster period & schedule
The length of each roster cycle and the regular day rosters are released.
Publication methods
How rosters are communicated — app, email or noticeboard — and a single source of truth.
Employee access
Ensuring every employee, including casuals and remote staff, can view their roster.
Change notice & consultation
Notice and consultation required before a published roster is changed.
Award compliance
Meeting the rostering notice provisions in your applicable modern award or agreement.
What's included in this template
Comprehensive coverage of roster publication and notice requirements
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and the employees it applies to — full-time, part-time and casual.
Policy statement
The organisation's commitment to timely, consistent roster publication.
Roster period
The length of each roster cycle and how availability is submitted.
Publication notice period
The minimum notice given before the roster cycle starts.
Publication schedule
The regular day and time rosters are released each cycle.
Communication methods
How rosters are published and the single source of truth for the team.
Employee access
Making sure every employee can access their roster information.
Changes to published rosters
Notice, consultation and agreement required to alter a published roster.
Award requirements
Compliance with the specific notice provisions in your award.
Acknowledgement & records
How employees confirm receipt and how publication is documented.
Roster notice periods under Australian awards
How much notice your business must give to publish and change rosters
Notice to publish a roster
Many modern awards set a minimum notice period for publishing rosters — commonly at least 7 days before the roster cycle begins (for example, the Hospitality and Retail awards). Check your award for the exact figure and set your publication schedule so you always meet it.
Notice to change a roster
Changing a regular roster usually needs at least 7 days’ written notice, and often 14 days if the employee doesn’t agree. Most awards also require genuine consultation — you can’t change a roster unilaterally. Shorter notice generally applies only by mutual agreement or in a genuine emergency. See our guide on communicating roster changes.
Getting roster notice right
Find your award
Notice periods differ by award and agreement — confirm which one applies first.
Set a fixed schedule
Publish on the same day each cycle so notice is always met.
Use one channel
Pick a single source of truth so everyone sees the same roster.
Keep records
Log when each roster and change was published and acknowledged.
Notice obligations sit alongside other rostering rules such as ordinary hours, overtime and minimum breaks — your roster should respect all of them.
The Fair Work Ombudsman explains general rostering and notice obligations, but the binding figures live in your modern award or enterprise agreement. Using rostering software to publish on a fixed schedule and notify staff instantly is the easiest way to meet your notice periods every cycle, and our time and attendance tools confirm staff worked the shifts as rostered.
Who should use this template?
Essential for any business rostering award-covered staff
Particularly important for businesses whose awards set explicit roster notice periods, such as hospitality, retail and aged care.
Compliance resources
Official guidance on rostering, hours and notice obligations.
Publish rosters with the right notice, automatically
RosterElf helps Australian businesses publish rosters on a fixed schedule, notify staff instantly through the app, and keep a record of when every roster was published and acknowledged.
Related guides
Publish and change rosters the right way
Related templates
Build a complete roster management framework
Rostering policy
The foundational policy for creating, publishing and managing rosters.
View templateRoster changes policy
Managing notice and consultation for changes after a roster is published.
View templateShift scheduling policy
Detailed policy for how shifts are created and allocated fairly.
View templateRoster notice policy FAQ
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It depends on your modern award or enterprise agreement, but many awards require rosters to be published at least 7 days before the roster cycle begins. To change a regular roster, most awards require at least 7 days’ written notice — often 14 days if the employee doesn’t agree — plus genuine consultation. Always check the rostering clause in your applicable modern award for the exact figure.
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In Australia the minimum notice for a roster change is typically 7 days, but the exact timeframe depends on your award, agreement or contract. Most awards require at least 7 days’ written notice of a change to a regular roster, and often 14 days if the employee doesn’t agree. Consultation is required — you can’t change a roster unilaterally — and shorter notice only applies by mutual agreement or in a genuine operational emergency. See our guide on communicating roster changes.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.