Public holidays run from midnight to midnight.

If you work a shift on a public holiday, you'll:

• be paid at least time and a half for the hours you work that fall on the public holiday, and
• get a day in lieu — even if you've only worked part of a shift.

Days in lieu (alternative holidays)

Transferring the public holiday

If you work shifts that cross over 2 days, you can ask your employer to transfer the public holiday to cover your entire shift. Your employer doesn't have to agree.

If you transfer the holiday:

• any other hours you work on the actual public holiday (outside of the agreed shift) won't be paid at public holiday rates
• if you work the shift you've transferred the holiday to, you'll be entitled to time and a half for the whole shift and an alternative paid day off to take later.

Agreements to transfer public holidays have to be in writing.