With the Australia Day public holiday coming up, nurses and midwives asked us to clarify what they’re entitled to. We’ve collated this information to make sure you don’t miss out.
This year, Australia Day (January 26) falls on a Sunday. As such, the gazetted public holiday is Monday, January 27. January 26 is not a public holiday. This means that, for most nurses and midwives, you will receive Sunday rates for working on January 26, and public holiday rates for working on January 27.
In the public health system, the entitlements for public holidays are set out in the Public Health System Nurses and Midwives’ (State) Award 2019 and depend upon your employment status and how you are rostered. The below table sets out a summary of the entitlements for the public health system.
In each case, public holiday rates are in place of any shift penalties.
A day worker is a worker who works their ordinary hours from Monday to Friday inclusive and commences work at or after 6AM and before 10AM, A shift worker is a worker who is not a day worker.
Clause 29.PART I.(v) provides that a permanent part timer’s roster must not be changed to avoid payment for the public holiday. So if they normally work that day they’re entitled to the day off with pay or to receive public holiday rates if they’re required to work.
In the private system, public holiday entitlements will differ from employer to employer. To find the award or enterprise agreement that applies to you please click here.
If there’s an issue with your public holiday pay please notify your manager or payroll office in the first instance to discuss this issue. NSWNMA can assist you if you’re unable to resolve the problem with your employer.
Should you require advice about your public holiday entitlements please do not hesitate to contact our Information Team on 02 8595 1234 (Metro) or 1300 367 962 (Rural) or by emailing us at gensec@nswnma.asn.au