QNMU members are encouraged to check their payslips following the Easter public holiday period, and to know what their pay rates are in advance.

Queensland Health

• Good Friday (15 April) – time and a half
• Easter Saturday (16 April) – double time and a half
• Easter Sunday (17 April) – double time and a half
• Easter Monday (18 April) – time and a half

Easter Saturday and Sunday are special public holidays, so if you are not a Monday to Friday worker and are normally rostered on to work those days and are stood down, not required, or you are rostered off, you will be paid a day's wage at ordinary rates.

What if I'm a Monday to Friday worker?

QNMU members have expressed considerable distress around how public holiday entitlements are being implemented where nurses work Monday to Friday day shift only. That is, in units/services that close on public holidays and NUMs, CNCs, Nurse Educators, etc who only work Monday to Friday on the wards.

We’ve produced this information sheet for QNMU members, which answers some of your frequently asked questions, including:

• Should nurses be required to work on any public holidays if the unit/service they work in closes on public holidays?
• If they are required to work when should they be advised of this?
• How do nurses apply to be “not required” (stood down) if they do not wish to work on a public holiday?

Queensland Health has also developed these work arrangement guidelines for nurses and midwives on public holidays, which we encourage members to read. 

 

Private sector and aged care

Most private sector enterprise agreements provide 200% for the Easter public holidays – but members should check their agreement for details.

For members who are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, the Easter public holidays for full-time or part-time employees who work ordinary hours is 200%.

For Personal Care Workers covered by the Aged Care Award 2010, the Easter public holidays for full-time or part-time employees who work ordinary hours is 250%.

If the public holiday is a day you would normally be rostered to work, but you are not required to work this day over Easter, you should be paid your ordinary hours for the public holiday not worked. Again, it’s best to check your enterprise agreement or Award.