Effective rostering is critical to the success of any organisation operating under the SCHADS Award. A well-designed roster not only ensures compliance with complex award requirements but also promotes work-life balance for employees, reduces unnecessary overtime costs, and maintains continuity of care for clients. To achieve long-term sustainability, employers need to be mindful of minimum engagement rules, break requirements between shifts, maximum hours, and the specific conditions around sleepovers and broken shifts. Let’s explore the key rostering principles every employer should follow to meet both their legal obligations and operational goals.
Key principles for rostering empoyees under SCHADS
- Any shift should meet the minimum engagement other than a Meet and Greet shift.
- Provide a break of not less than 10 hours between the end of one shift or period of work and the start of another.
- If it is the end of a shift and the commencement of a shift contiguous with the start of a sleepover; or a shift commencing after the end of a shift contiguous with a sleepover may not be less than eight hours.
- Sleepover should always be 8 hours.
- If you roster an employee to perform work immediately before and/or immediately after the sleepover period but must roster the employee or pay the employee for at least four hours’ work for one of these periods.
- Provide a meal break for each employee who works in excess of five hours. It can be paid/unpaid meal break of not less than 30 minutes and not more than 60 minutes duration, to be taken at a mutually agreed time after commencing work.
- Roster a shift no longer than 10 hours per day.
- Roster a Support Worker maximum of 76 hours per Fortnight/ 38 hours per week.
- If it is a Broken shift, roster within the 12 hours of span.
Key benefits of effective rostering
Increased Productivity:
A well-planned roster helps maximise the efficiency of your workforce. When employees are scheduled based on their skills and the specific needs of the business, they perform better and contribute to smoother operations.
Cost Control:
Poor rostering can lead to overstaffing or unintentional overtime, significantly increasing labor costs. Effective rostering helps minimise these issues by ensuring that you’re only paying for the labor your business needs.
Compliance:
For industries under strict payroll awards and regulations, like SCHADS, effective rostering ensures compliance with legal requirements. This minimises the risk of penalties or back payments due to non-compliance.
Employee Satisfaction:
A fair and transparent rostering system takes into account employees’ work-life balance, improving morale and reducing turnover. Employees who feel their preferences are considered in scheduling tend to be more engaged and loyal.
Creating and maintaining effective rosters under the SCHADS Award is both a legal obligation and a strategic advantage. By following the key rostering principles—such as minimum engagement rules, break periods, sleepover conditions, and maximum hours—you not only stay compliant but also support a productive, cost-efficient, and satisfied workforce. When rosters are thoughtfully designed with both client needs and employee wellbeing in mind, organisations can achieve better outcomes, maintain continuity of care, and build a resilient workforce for the long term. Effective rostering isn’t just about filling gaps—it’s about setting your team and your organisation up for lasting success.
Need expert guidance to optimise your rostering under the SCHADS Award or streamline your payroll? Contact us today to discover how our expertise can support your business.