Rostering policy template
The foundational policy for managing employee rosters. Covers roster creation, publication, fair allocation, change procedures and employee rights — aligned with Australian workplace laws.
Rostering policy
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Why every shift-based business needs a rostering policy
A rostering policy is the foundation for fair, consistent and compliant workforce scheduling. It sets clear expectations for how rosters are created, communicated and managed — reducing disputes and ensuring everyone knows the rules.
Under modern awards and the National Employment Standards, employers have specific obligations around roster notice periods and consultation. A documented policy helps demonstrate compliance and provides a framework for managing rostering consistently across your organisation.
Without clear rostering guidelines, businesses face inconsistent practices, fairness complaints and potential breaches of award requirements.
Key elements of a rostering policy
What your rostering policy should include
Roster creation
Framework for how rosters are created, considering business needs and employee preferences.
Notice periods
Timeframes for publishing rosters and notifying employees of their shifts.
Fair allocation
Principles for equitable distribution of shifts across the workforce.
Availability management
How employee availability is collected and factored into rostering.
Change procedures
Process for requesting and managing roster changes after publication.
Employee rights
Clear statement of employee rights regarding rostering under awards and NES.
What's included in this template
Comprehensive coverage of rostering requirements
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who it applies to.
Policy statement
The organisation's commitment to fair and transparent rostering.
Roster creation principles
How rosters are developed balancing operational and employee needs.
Publication and notice
When and how rosters are communicated to employees.
Availability and preferences
How employee availability is submitted and considered.
Shift allocation
Criteria for allocating shifts fairly across the team.
Roster changes
How changes are managed after roster publication.
Employee responsibilities
Expectations for attendance and communication.
Dispute resolution
Process for raising and resolving rostering concerns.
Compliance
Alignment with awards, NES and Fair Work requirements.
Who should use this template?
Essential for shift-based workplaces
Legal disclaimer
This template is designed to reflect Australian workplace standards at the time of publication. It is provided as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice.
Rostering requirements vary by award and enterprise agreement. You should review and tailor this template to suit your specific circumstances. Seek independent legal or HR advice to support compliance with all relevant employment laws.
Regulatory sources
This template is aligned with Australian workplace rostering requirements.
Automate this policy with RosterElf. Our rostering software helps you create fair, compliant rosters, and our HR software stores policies digitally for easy employee access.
Ready to formalise your rostering practices?
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Disclaimer
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.