How to roster club staff
A complete guide to rostering staff in registered and licensed clubs in Australia, including RSL clubs, sports clubs, and community clubs under the Registered Clubs Award.
Written by
Georgia Morgan
General information only – not legal advice
This guide provides general information about rostering under the Registered Clubs Award for Australian businesses. 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.
Club penalty rates
Key penalty rates under the Registered Clubs Award.
| Period | Full-time/Part-time | Casual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Friday (ordinary) | 100% | 125% | Before 7pm |
| Monday-Friday (late work) | 110% | 135% | After 7pm weekdays |
| Saturday (ordinary) | 125% | 150% | All hours |
| Sunday | 175% | 200% | All hours |
| Public Holiday | 250% | 275% | + day in lieu for FT |
Note: When multiple penalties could apply, only the highest rate applies to the exclusion of others.
6 steps to club staff rostering
Follow these steps to create compliant and effective club rosters.
Understand the Registered Clubs Award structure
Know the award rules for different club roles and working arrangements.
Key requirements:
- Covers RSL clubs, sports clubs, bowling clubs, golf clubs, etc.
- Different classifications: gaming, bar, kitchen, sports, admin
- Maximum 8 hours per day within 11-hour spread
- Full-time employees: 2 consecutive days off required
Plan around club operating patterns
Align staffing to typical club trading peaks and gaming machine operations.
Key requirements:
- Weekday lunch: Moderate staffing for bistro
- Friday-Sunday evenings: Peak gaming and bar service
- Functions and events: Variable additional staffing
- Early morning: Limited staffing for cleaners, admin
Apply penalty rates correctly
Calculate correct rates for late work, early work, weekends, and public holidays.
Key requirements:
- Late work (after 7pm): 110% loading
- Saturday: 125% (ordinary) or 150% (overtime)
- Sunday: 175% (all hours)
- Public holidays: 250%
Ensure minimum breaks and days off
Comply with break requirements between shifts and rostered days off.
Key requirements:
- Minimum 9 days off in each 4-week period
- At least 2 consecutive days off once per 4 weeks
- Minimum break between shifts (check award)
- Maximum 8 ordinary hours per shift
Manage meal breaks during service
Schedule meal breaks compliantly during busy club operations.
Key requirements:
- Meal break required after 5 hours of work
- If break not given: 150% penalty until break or shift end
- 5-hour shifts: employee can elect 30-min unpaid break
- Stagger breaks to maintain service levels
Post rosters and manage changes
Follow roster notification and change requirements.
Key requirements:
- Rosters must be posted in accessible location
- Show start/finish times and employee names
- Reasonable notice for roster changes
- Right to disconnect applies from Aug 2025 (small business)
Simplify club rostering
RosterElf helps clubs manage casual staff, event shifts, and award compliance in one platform. Built for Australian small businesses.
Roster requirements
Key rostering rules under the Clubs Award.
Days off per 4 weeks
Each employee must be free from duty
Consecutive days off
At least once per 4 weeks
Maximum daily hours
Ordinary hours per shift
Daily spread
Maximum spread for shift
Junior employees
Under 18s cannot exceed
Club department scheduling
Peak times vary by department in club operations.
Gaming
Roles: Attendants, supervisors, cashiers
Peak periods: Friday-Sunday evenings, public holidays
Bar
Roles: Bartenders, glassies, bar supervisors
Peak periods: Friday-Sunday evenings, live entertainment
Bistro/Kitchen
Roles: Cooks, kitchen hands, FOH
Peak periods: Lunch and dinner service
Functions
Roles: Event staff, setup, service
Peak periods: Weddings, events, member functions
Sports/Recreation
Roles: Greenkeepers, pro shop, fitness
Peak periods: Weekends, competitions, school holidays
Admin
Roles: Reception, accounts, membership
Peak periods: Weekday business hours
Club rostering tips
Strategies for effective and compliant club rostering.
Analyse gaming data
Use gaming machine activity data to predict staffing needs.
Cross-train staff
Train bar staff on gaming and vice versa for flexibility.
Plan for functions
Maintain casual pool for weddings and events.
Track by department
Monitor labour costs by department against revenue.
Stagger meal breaks
Plan breaks to avoid service gaps during peak periods.
Post rosters early
Give staff maximum notice for work/life planning.
Common club rostering mistakes
Avoid these costly errors in club staff rostering.
Missing late work loading
Consequence: Underpayment for hours worked after 7pm
Solution: Apply 110% loading for all work after 7pm on weekdays
Insufficient days off
Consequence: Not providing 9 days off per 4 weeks
Solution: Track rostered days in 4-week blocks to support compliance
Meal break penalty not paid
Consequence: 150% penalty applies from end of 5 hours if no break given
Solution: Schedule breaks before 5 hours or pay penalty rate
Exceeding daily spread
Consequence: Working beyond 11-hour spread for ordinary hours
Solution: Ensure shifts don't span more than 11 hours start to finish
No consecutive days off
Consequence: Must have 2 consecutive days off at least once per 4 weeks
Solution: Build consecutive rest days into roster templates
Related guides
Learn more about rostering and compliance.
Frequently asked questions
- The Registered and Licensed Clubs Award covers employees in registered and licensed clubs including RSL clubs, returned services clubs, sporting clubs (golf, bowls, tennis, etc.), community clubs, and other licensed social clubs. It does not cover hotels or pubs (which have the Hospitality Award).
- The award covers various club roles including: gaming attendants and supervisors, bar staff, kitchen and bistro employees, groundskeepers and greenkeepers, sports professionals, clerical staff, and general club employees. Different classifications have different base rates.
- Yes, while both cover food and beverage service, the Clubs Award has specific provisions for gaming, sports facilities, and the member-focused nature of clubs. Penalty rates and rostering rules differ - for example, Clubs Award has a late work loading after 7pm that doesn't exist in Hospitality.
- The award allows full-time employees to work a 19-day month of 8 hours per day as one method of averaging 38 hours per week. This means one rostered day off (RDO) per 4-week period while working standard 8-hour days.
Regulatory sources
This guide is aligned with official Australian workplace regulations.
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