Breaks & rest periods policy template
Clear guidelines for meal breaks and rest periods during shifts. Covers entitlements, timing, recording requirements and award compliance — aligned with Australian workplace laws.
Breaks & rest periods policy
PDF format • Ready to download
By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
Why break policies matter
Proper breaks are essential for employee wellbeing, safety and productivity. Most modern awards specify minimum break entitlements that employers must provide, and accurate recording is required for compliance.
A clear break policy ensures employees know their entitlements and managers understand their obligations. It also creates consistent practices for recording break times, which affects both payroll accuracy and compliance evidence.
Without documented break procedures, businesses risk underpayment claims, compliance issues and workplace safety concerns from fatigued employees.
Key elements of a breaks policy
What your breaks and rest periods policy should include
Meal breaks
Entitlements and requirements for meal breaks during shifts.
Rest breaks
Short break entitlements and how they should be taken.
Break timing
When breaks should be taken during the shift.
Recording requirements
How breaks must be recorded in time systems.
Employee wellbeing
Importance of breaks for health and safety.
Award compliance
Meeting break requirements under applicable awards.
What's included in this template
Comprehensive coverage of break requirements
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who it applies to.
Policy statement
The organisation's commitment to adequate breaks.
Meal break entitlements
Duration and timing of meal breaks.
Rest break entitlements
Paid rest breaks during shifts.
Break scheduling
When breaks should be taken during shifts.
Recording breaks
How to record breaks in timesheets or systems.
Paid vs unpaid breaks
Which breaks are paid and which are not.
Manager responsibilities
Ensuring employees take required breaks.
Working through breaks
When breaks may be shortened or skipped.
Non-compliance
Consequences of not following break requirements.
Who should use this template?
Essential for businesses with shift workers
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.
Break entitlements vary significantly by award and classification. You should review and tailor this template to suit your specific award requirements. Seek independent legal or HR advice to support compliance with all relevant employment laws.
Regulatory sources
This template is aligned with Australian workplace record-keeping requirements.
Ready to formalise your break procedures?
Download our comprehensive breaks and rest periods policy template and ensure compliant break practices.
Store this policy and track employee acknowledgements with RosterElf's HR software.
Looking for more templates? Browse all time & attendance templates
Enforce this policy automatically with RosterElf. Our time and attendance software includes break tracking features to track compliance and eliminate manual oversight.
Breaks and rest periods policy FAQ
- Yes. This template provides a solid foundation, but you should tailor it to reflect your specific time recording systems, pay cycles, and any applicable modern award or enterprise agreement requirements.
- Distribute the policy during onboarding for new employees and via email or team meetings for existing staff. Have employees sign an acknowledgement form. Using time and attendance software can help automate compliance and reminders.
- Break entitlements depend on the applicable award or agreement. Common provisions include a 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts over 5 hours and paid rest breaks of 10-15 minutes. Check your specific award and see our guide on scheduling breaks compliantly.
- Generally, no. Break requirements exist for health and safety reasons and are often award or legislative requirements. Employees cannot be required or pressured to skip entitled breaks, even if they prefer to.
- Yes. Recording break times ensures accurate calculation of hours worked and compliance with award requirements. It also protects both employers and employees in any dispute about breaks taken or hours paid. Learn more about how to track employee hours.
Related guides
Learn more about implementing this policy
Related templates
Build a complete time and attendance framework
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.