An award is a legal document that sets out the terms and conditions of employment for a specific industry or job. It contains things like rates of pay, overtime, penalty rates and allowances.
It is a legally enforceable set of minimum terms and conditions of employment. Awards operate in conjunction with the National Employment Standards (a legislated set of minimum standards), and together they provide a fair and relevant minimum safety net for workers.
An award applies to employees in a particular industry or occupation. The Fair Work Commission has responsibility for making and varying Awards in the national workplace relations system. Unions, such as the SDA, can apply to change or improve Awards that apply for their members.
What this means for you
If you work in retail, the relevant Award is the General Retail Industry Award. The General Retail Industry Award or Retail Award for short, outlines the minimum standards for the retail industry.
That means workers in retail should not receive less overall than the pay and entitlements set out in this Award.
If you work in retail, you may be covered by the Retail Award or an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement negotiated by the SDA.
Check with the SDA if you’re unsure what applies to you.
The General Retail Industry Award covers most of the retail industry including retail shops, supermarkets and department or discount stores.
General retail industry means the retail sale or hire of goods or services for personal, household or business consumption including:
- clothing
- food
- furniture and household goods
- personal and recreational goods
- bakeries
- repair services for household equipment
- customer information or assistance at retail complexes
- newsagents
Breaks are important entitlement. Make sure you’re receiving all of your breaks at work.
Here are the breaks that apply in the General Retail Industry Award:
| Hours worked per shift | Breaks | Meal breaks |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or more but no more than 5 | One 10 minute paid rest break | No meal break |
| More than 5 but less than 7 | One 10 minute paid rest break | One unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes and not more than 60 minutes |
| 7 or more but less than 10 | Two 10 minute paid rest breaks (one to be taken in the first half of the shift and one in the second half) | One unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes and not more than 60 minutes |
| 10 or more | Two 10 minute paid rest breaks (one to be taken in the first half of the shift and one in the second half) | Two unpaid meal breaks of at least 30 minutes and not more than 60 minutes |
Penalty rates are important recognition that you’re working at times when many others in the community are not.
Here’s what penalty rates apply in the General Retail Industry Award:
| Time of ordinary hours worked | Full-time and part-time employees | Casual employees |
|---|---|---|
| % of minimum hourly rate | % of minimum hourly rate (inclusive of casual loading) | |
| Monday to Friday—after 6.00 pm | 125% | 150% |
| Saturday | 125% | 150% |
| Sunday | 150% | 175% |
| Public holiday | 225% | 250% |
Casual workers have rights too.
The General Retail Industry Award applies to workers in the retail industry and that includes permanent and casual workers.
If you’re casual, what applies to you will be set out in the Award.
- Casual workers receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum rates of pay.
- The minimum number of hours per shift for casuals is 3 hours.
SDA members have access to exclusive pay and conditions resources.
This is just a snapshot of a handful of entitlements in the General Retail Industry Award – there’s many more.
As part of your SDA union membership, you can access detailed information about your award or agreement. This includes a full copy of your award or agreement.
