What is the Coles Enterprise Bargaining Agreement?
Coles Supermarkets workers are covered by the Coles Retail Enterprise Agreement 2024. This is a legally binding document and your employer must comply with the provisions outlined in the agreement.
The Coles Agreement sets out all of your pay and conditions at work. It is specific to Coles workers only.
The current Coles Agreement commenced on 7 October 2024. The nominal expiry date is 3 May 2028.
The SDA negotiates with Coles on your behalf to secure improved pay and conditions in your agreement. It contains important entitlements and rights, for example:
- Coles Rate of pay
- Coles Pay rises
- Coles Rostering rights
- Coles Breaks
- Coles Penalty rates
- Coles Overtime
- Coles Leave provisions
Generally, a new agreement is negotiated every 3-4 years.
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What breaks should I be getting at Coles?
You have a right to take breaks at work and it’s important that all Coles workers are receiving the correct rest and meal breaks. The Coles EBA details your entitlement to unpaid meal breaks and paid rest breaks. Rest breaks, also known as ‘tea breaks’, are paid, short pauses that allow you to recharge before continuing your shift. Meal breaks are longer, unpaid periods of rest during your workday that provide an opportunity to have a meal.
Your Coles breaks can be found below:
| Hours worked | Rest break (paid) | Meal break (unpaid) |
|---|---|---|
| Work less than 4 hours | No rest break | No meal break |
| Work 4 hours or more but no more than 5 hours | One 15 minute rest break including walk time | No meal break |
| Work more than 5 hours but less than 7 hours | One 15 minute rest break including walk time | One meal break of at least 30 minutes but not more than 60 minutes |
| Work 7 hours or more but less than 10 hours | Two 15 minute rest breaks including walk time, with one taken in the first half of the work hours and the second taken in the second half of the work hours | One meal break of at least 30 minutes but not more than 60 minutes |
| Work 10 hours or more | Two 15 minute rest breaks including walk time, with one taken in the first half of the work hours and the second taken in the second half of the work hours | Two meal breaks each of at least 30 minutes but not more than 60 minutes |
Learn more about your rights when it comes to breaks
What are my penalty rates at Coles?
Penalty rates are higher rates of pay you earn for working outside the ordinary hours. Penalty rates can apply to late evenings and early mornings, weekends and public holidays.
Penalty rates are so important for Coles workers as they compensate you for working unsociable hours – it’s crucial that you are being paid correctly.
Your Coles penalty rates can be found below:
| Day | Time of day | Full and part-time | Casual (including casual loading) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 6pm – 11pm | 125% | 150% |
| Saturday | 7am – 11pm | 125% | 150% |
| Sunday | 9am – 11pm | 150% | 175% |
| Public Holidays | 7am – 11pm, unless on a Sunday in which case 9am – 11pm applies. | 225% | 250% |
What are my pay rates at Coles?
SDA Union members can access personalised wage rates specific to your workplace in our Members Area.
If you want to find out your rates of pay at Coles, click on the button below.
Not an SDA Union member? Read more about the benefits here
What is the union for Coles workers?
The SDA is the union for the retail industry and Coles workers. We advocate for better wages, fair working conditions, safer workplaces and the protection of your workplace rights.
Being an SDA Union member at Coles means that you are protected at work. If you have an issue at work including underpayments, rostering, breaks or any workplace problem the SDA Union has your back.
How can you have a say about your EBA Agreement?
During the negotiations for a new agreement, SDA Union asks Coles employees about what’s important to you at work and any changes you’d like to see in your new EBA. You can have your say by taking our Coles EBA survey online or in store or by talking to your SDA Union Delegate or Organiser.
Your feedback helps to form the Log of Claims, which is what the SDA Union takes to negotiate with the company. That’s why it’s important to have your say – so we can push for improvements to your pay, conditions and entitlements.
Once negotiations are complete, the proposed agreement is put to a vote. Generally, you can participate in voting through a verified and independent third party online, or via phone.
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Download the Coles Retail Enterprise Agreement 2024 Agreement
SDA Union members have exclusive access to our members only area which includes personalised rates of pay and detailed information about your specific agreement.
If you’re an SDA Union member, you can access this now.
Not an SDA Union member? Read more about the benefits here
What makes the Coles EBA better than the Retail Award?
All agreements negotiated by the SDA Union contain above award entitlements. The Coles EBA must be better off overall than the Retail Award and be approved by the Fair Work Commission. The General Retail Industry Award is the minimum industry standards that apply for your industry.
A key benefit of SDA Union membership is having the SDA Union sit down with your employer to negotiate a new agreement.
We make sure that your pay and conditions don’t just include all the benefits of the Retail Award but that your agreement has even more improvements.
As a result of the SDA’s work bargaining for new agreements, Coles employees have these above award conditions:
| Condition | The Coles Agreement | The Retail Award |
|---|---|---|
| Higher wage rates than the Award | Yes | No |
| 15 minute paid rest breaks | Yes | No |
| Voluntary work on Public Holidays | Yes | No |
| Adult rates of pay at 20 from day one | Yes | No |
| Rostering rights and recognition of care commitments outside of work | Yes | No |
| Up to 10 days paid compassionate leave | Yes | No |
| Paid natural disaster leave | Yes | No |
| Paid emergency services leave | Yes | No |
| Paid blood donor leave | Yes | No |
| Superior redundancy entitlements | Yes | No |
| Superannuation on unpaid parental leave | Yes | No |
*This is general information only. Your entitlements will depend on your specific workplace, level and type of employment. SDA members can find out what applies you by contacting us.
Resources for SDA members
Being an SDA Union member means you receive access to important information about your pay and conditions at Coles Supermarkets.
We can help SDA Union members at Coles to understand their rights at work.
As the union for Coles workers, we also work hard to keep you informed about any proposed changes to your entitlements including:
- During negotiations for a new agreement
- Before voting on a new agreement
- Changes to workplace legislation
Whether it’s your roster, breaks or what penalty rates apply – the SDA Union can provide you with information, support and advice that’s specific to Coles Supermarkets.
SDA members can access important resources and information that’s specific to your workplace.