How to roster construction staff
Create compliant rosters for construction workers under the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), including RDO management and shift work arrangements.
Written by
Georgia Morgan
General information only – not legal advice
This guide provides general information about construction rostering under Australian awards. Many construction workers are covered by enterprise agreements with additional provisions. 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.
Understanding the RDO system
The Building and Construction Award mandates a Rostered Day Off (RDO) system. Workers accrue time towards a paid day off by working 8-hour days.
| Period | Hours Worked | Daily Accrual | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1-19 | 8 hours/day | 0.4 hours/day | Building to 7.6 hours |
| Day 20 | RDO taken | -7.6 hours | Zero balance |
| Banked RDOs | By agreement | Max 5 RDOs | Taken on agreed date |
Step-by-Step guide
Follow these steps to create compliant construction rosters
Understand the RDO system
Set up the mandatory Rostered Day Off (RDO) system required under the Building and Construction Award.
Key points:
- Employees work 8 ordinary hours per day
- 0.4 hours accrued each day toward RDO
- After 19 days of work, 7.6 hours banked for 20th day (RDO)
- Maximum 5 banked RDOs at any time
Structure ordinary hours correctly
Plan shifts within the 38-hour weekly limit averaged over roster cycles.
Key points:
- 38 ordinary hours per week (may be averaged over 2-4 weeks)
- Maximum 8 consecutive hours per shift
- 30 minutes crib time included in each shift
- Standard start times typically 6am-7am
Plan for shift work requirements
Apply proper notice periods and loadings when scheduling shift work.
Key points:
- Minimum 48 hours notice for shift work requirement
- Less than 48 hours notice = overtime rates apply
- Afternoon shift: starts after 4pm, finishes by midnight
- Night shift: starts after 11pm, finishes by 8am
Apply correct shift loadings
Calculate shift penalties based on the type of shift and days worked.
Key points:
- Morning/early afternoon shifts: 125% of ordinary rate
- Afternoon, night, early morning shifts: 150% of ordinary rate
- Shiftwork on Saturday: 150% of ordinary rate
- Additional 15% loading for afternoon/night shifts
Consider FIFO and remote site arrangements
For fly-in fly-out workers, plan rosters that balance work periods with time off.
Key points:
- Common FIFO rosters: 7 on/7 off, 14 on/7 off, 8 on/6 off
- Account for travel days in roster planning
- Consider fatigue management for long swings
- Ensure accommodation and facilities meet standards
Manage inclement weather and site closures
Build flexibility into rosters to handle weather-related work stoppages.
Key points:
- Inclement weather provisions in award allow work stoppage
- Employees entitled to ordinary pay for stoppages
- Plan make-up days when weather permits
- Consider indoor work alternatives for affected staff
Construction shift loadings 2025
| Shift Type | Loading | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morning shift (5am start) | 125% | Monday to Friday continuous |
| Early afternoon shift | 125% | Monday to Friday continuous |
| Afternoon shift | 150% | Plus 15% shift loading |
| Night shift | 150% | Plus 15% shift loading |
| Early morning shift | 150% | Plus 15% shift loading |
| Saturday shift work | 150% | For continuous shiftworkers |
| Saturday overtime | 150% first 2hrs, 200% after | Non-shift workers |
| Sunday (all hours) | 200% | All construction workers |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025. Construction rates increased 3.5% from previous year.
Common FIFO roster patterns
7/7
7 days on, 7 days off
Shorter projects, local FIFO
14/7
14 days on, 7 days off
Remote sites, longer projects
8/6
8 days on, 6 days off
Mining and resources
21/7
21 days on, 7 days off
Remote and overseas projects
4/3
4 days on, 3 days off
Close to home sites
Safety considerations for construction rostering
Construction sites have unique safety requirements that must be factored into rostering:
Common construction rostering mistakes
Not managing RDO accruals properly
Employees owed significant time off, cash-out disputes
Track daily accruals and schedule RDOs regularly
Insufficient notice for shift work
Must pay overtime rates instead of shift rates
Always provide minimum 48 hours notice for shift work
Exceeding consecutive hour limits
Fatigue risks, safety incidents, award breaches
Cap shifts at 8 hours ordinary, include proper crib time
Ignoring inclement weather provisions
Unpaid stoppages leading to disputes
Follow award process and pay employees for wet weather stoppages
Right to disconnect (New from august 2025)
From 26 August 2025, employees of small business employers have the right to disconnect - meaning they can refuse to monitor, read, or respond to contact from their employer outside of working hours unless the refusal is unreasonable. This applies to all construction workers and should be considered when planning after-hours contact or on-call arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
- Under the Building and Construction Award, employees work 8 ordinary hours per day and accrue 0.4 hours each day towards a Rostered Day Off (RDO). After 19 days of work (accruing 7.6 hours), the 20th day is taken as an RDO. RDOs can be banked by agreement, but no more than 5 RDOs can be accumulated at any time. The date for taking banked RDOs must be recorded and agreed between employer and employee.
- RDOs are generally meant to be taken as time off, not cashed out. However, some enterprise agreements may allow for RDO cash-outs in specific circumstances. Check your applicable enterprise agreement or consult with Fair Work for your specific situation. Banked RDOs should be taken on agreed dates rather than accumulated indefinitely.
Regulatory sources
Official resources for construction employment compliance:
Streamline construction rostering
RosterElf helps construction businesses manage site-based crews and track certifications. Built for Australian small businesses.
Related guides
Learn more about rostering and compliance.
Simplify your rostering today
Join thousands of Australian businesses using RosterElf to create compliant rosters in minutes. Built for Australian small businesses.