Shift Cost Calculator (Australia)
Estimate the cost of a single staff shift. This calculator factors in penalty rates, overtime, unpaid breaks, and superannuation to give you an indicative figure for planning purposes.
Takes ~20 seconds · No login required · AU estimates only
Enter shift details
Shift cost results
Enter shift details and click calculate to see the cost
Estimated shift cost
$0.00
Effective hourly rate
$0.00/hr
Paid hours
0.0 hrs
Gross wages
$0.00
Superannuation
$0.00
Penalty/overtime uplift
$0.00
Quick tips
Day type matters
Weekend and public holiday shifts can cost 25-100% more
Overtime stacks
Overtime multipliers apply on top of penalty rates
Overnight shifts
End time before start time is treated as next day
This calculator provides general estimates only. Shift costs vary by award, agreement, penalties, and employment type.
Why shift costs vary
Penalty rates
Most awards require higher pay for work outside ordinary hours. Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, and evening shifts attract penalties ranging from 125% to 250% of base rate.
Overtime stacking
When overtime applies, the multiplier is often applied on top of penalty rates. A Sunday shift with overtime can cost significantly more than a standard weekday shift.
Breaks reducing paid time
Unpaid meal breaks reduce the paid hours in a shift. A 30-minute unpaid break on an 8-hour shift means you're only paying for 7.5 hours of work.
Superannuation impact
Super is calculated on gross wages, including penalty rates. Higher penalty shifts mean higher super contributions, adding to the total cost.
How small roster changes impact costs
Longer shifts compound penalties
A shift that runs an extra hour on a penalty day adds more than just the base rate—it adds an hour at the penalty rate plus super.
Late finishes trigger higher rates
Shifts that extend into late evening or overnight hours may attract additional penalties, even on weekdays.
Break compliance matters
If breaks aren't taken or correctly deducted, you may be overpaying—or facing compliance issues if unpaid breaks become payable.
When to review your roster
Consider reviewing shift costs if you notice:
Frequent overtime
Regular overtime suggests understaffing or poor roster planning
High penalty exposure
Too many weekend or late-night shifts may be inflating costs
Labour cost % creeping up
Rising shift costs relative to revenue signals efficiency issues
Inconsistent shift lengths
Variations can make forecasting difficult
Want shift costs calculated automatically?
Upgrade to RosterElf for live cost visibility, automatic penalty rate application, and actual vs rostered cost tracking.
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Perfect for quick shift cost estimates
- Calculate individual shift costs
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- Break & superannuation included
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- Actual vs rostered tracking
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Frequently asked questions
- Yes. Penalty multipliers are applied based on your inputs. You can adjust the multiplier for weekends, public holidays, or custom penalty scenarios.
- Yes. You can enable overtime in the advanced settings and apply an overtime multiplier that stacks with penalty rates.
- Yes. Unpaid breaks are deducted from paid hours. You can set the break duration to zero if no break is taken.
- Yes. Super is included using the rate you enter (default 12%) and is calculated on top of gross wages.
- No. This calculator provides general estimates only. Actual shift costs vary by award, agreement, penalties, and employment type. Always verify with official sources.
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Disclaimer
This calculator provides general estimates only. Shift costs vary by award, agreement, penalties, and employment type. This is not legal or payroll advice.
Shift cost calculator – disclaimer & terms of use
Please read and accept the following terms before using this calculator.
1. Estimates Only
This calculator provides general estimates for planning and educational purposes only. Results are not intended to be accurate, complete, or suitable for any specific purpose.
2. Not Legal or Financial Advice
This tool does not provide legal, financial, payroll, or employment advice. The estimates do not account for specific Modern Award provisions, enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or other employment conditions that may apply.
3. User Responsibility
You are solely responsible for:
- verifying all calculations with official sources,
- consulting qualified professionals for payroll and employment matters,
- supporting compliance with applicable awards, agreements, and legislation.
4. Award Rates May Differ
Actual shift costs vary significantly based on the applicable Modern Award, classification level, penalty rate structures, allowances, and superannuation thresholds. This calculator uses simplified multipliers that may not reflect your specific situation.
5. No Guarantee of Accuracy
While we aim to provide helpful estimates, we make no warranties about the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the results. Rates and rules change frequently, and this tool may not reflect the latest updates.
6. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, RosterElf and its providers disclaim all liability for any loss, damage, or claims arising from the use of this calculator or reliance on its results.
Confirmation
I understand that this calculator provides estimates only and is not a substitute for professional advice. I will verify all calculations before making business decisions.
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