What are Full-time hours?

Q: How many hours is full-time in Australia?

Full-time in Australia is 38 ordinary hours per week under the Fair Work Act. This can be arranged as 7.6 hours per day over 5 days, or in other patterns allowed by the applicable Modern Award.

Q: Can full-time hours be less than 38 per week?

Generally, full-time employment is defined as 38 hours per week. If an employee regularly works less than 38 hours, they would typically be classified as part-time . However, some awards or agreements may specify different arrangements.

Q: Can full-time hours be averaged over a roster cycle?

Yes, many Modern Awards allow full-time hours to be averaged over a roster period (e.g., 2-4 weeks). An employee might work 40 hours one week and 36 the next, averaging 38 hours per week over the cycle.

Q: What happens if a full-time employee works more than 38 hours?

Hours beyond 38 per week (or beyond daily maximums specified in the award) are typically classified as overtime and paid at penalty rates. Employers can request reasonable additional hours, but employees can refuse unreasonable requests.

Q: Are full-time hours the same in all industries?

While 38 hours is the standard, some Modern Awards have industry-specific arrangements. The hours may be spread differently (e.g., longer days with more days off), but the average should still equate to 38 hours per week.

What are Full-time hours?

Updated 20 Jan 2026 • 5 min read

Full-time hours in Australia are defined as 38 ordinary hours per week under the Fair Work Act 2009. This is the standard for full-time employment and forms the basis for calculating entitlements such as annual leave, personal leave, and overtime. Full-time hours can be worked in various patterns, including compressed workweeks or averaged over roster cycles.

Full-time hours in Australia

Under the Fair Work Act 2009, full-time employment in Australia is defined by working 38 ordinary hours per week. This standard distinguishes full-time employees from part-time and casual workers.

Full-time

38 hours per week
Ongoing employment
Full entitlements
Set work pattern

Part-time

Less than 38 hours
Ongoing employment
Pro-rata entitlements
Agreed regular hours

Casual

No guaranteed hours
No ongoing commitment
25% loading instead
Hours as offered

Arranging full-time hours

While the total is 38 hours per week, full-time hours can be arranged in various patterns depending on the Modern Award and workplace agreement:

Common full-time arrangements

Standard week: 7.6 hours × 5 days = 38 hours

8-hour days: 8 hours × 4.75 days = 38 hours

Compressed week: 9.5 hours × 4 days = 38 hours

Averaged over fortnight: 76 hours across 2 weeks

The applicable award specifies which arrangements are permitted and any rules about daily maximums, spread of hours, and rest breaks between shifts.

Full-time hours and entitlements

Working full-time hours (38 per week) is the basis for calculating various employment entitlements:

Annual leave: 4 weeks per year = 152 hours (38 × 4)
Personal leave: 10 days per year = 76 hours (7.6 × 10)
Public holidays: Paid for rostered hours on public holidays
Overtime: Hours beyond 38 per week attract penalty rates
Superannuation: Based on ordinary time earnings

Reasonable additional hours

Employers can request full-time employees work "reasonable additional hours" beyond 38 per week, but employees can refuse unreasonable requests. The Fair Work Act considers factors like health and safety, personal circumstances, and adequate compensation when determining reasonableness.

Full-time hours vs overtime

Ordinary hours (up to 38)

Paid at base rate
Included in OTE for super
Within award spread of hours
Expected, rostered work

Overtime (beyond 38)

Paid at penalty rates (150-200%)
Generally excluded from OTE
May be outside spread of hours
Can be refused if unreasonable

Common mistakes with full-time hours

Expecting unlimited hours without overtime

Full-time doesn't mean unlimited hours. Hours beyond 38 per week (or daily maximums) attract overtime rates under most awards.

Ignoring daily overtime triggers

Many awards trigger overtime on daily hours (e.g., beyond 7.6 or 8 hours per day), not just weekly hours. A 10-hour day may attract overtime even if weekly total is under 38.

Not averaging correctly over roster cycles

If averaging hours over a cycle, ensure the average equals 38 hours per week. Consistently working more without overtime pay is non-compliant.

Misclassifying employees

If someone regularly works 38 hours but is classified as casual, they may be entitled to back-pay for leave and other entitlements.

Key takeaways

Full-time hours in Australia are 38 ordinary hours per week under the Fair Work Act. These hours can be arranged in various patterns (standard 5-day weeks, compressed schedules, or averaged over roster cycles) depending on the applicable Modern Award. Hours beyond 38 per week are typically overtime.

Managing full-time rosters efficiently requires tracking hours against the 38-hour standard. RosterElf's rostering software helps you build compliant schedules and automatically tracks hours worked against entitlements for full-time employees.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours is full-time in Australia?

Can full-time hours be less than 38 per week?

Can full-time hours be averaged over a roster cycle?

What happens if a full-time employee works more than 38 hours?

Are full-time hours the same in all industries?

Simplify your workforce management.

RosterElf helps Australian businesses manage rosters, track time and attendance, and stay compliant with Fair Work requirements. Try it free for 14 days.

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