After a long and hard-fought battle, the SDA has been successful in winning a penalty rate increase for casual employees. This win means that casual workers covered by the Retail Award will receive casual loading AND penalty rate load-ings for weeknights and Saturdays.
This will result in significant pay increases for over 350,000 hard-working retail employees on the Award right across Australia’s retail sector.
The increases to casual penalty rates is another example of the SDA and its members continuing to stand up for fair pay and for an increase in wages.
What are the increases and at what time of day?
The SDA has won new penalty rates or increased penalty rates to be added to the casual 25% loading for:
- Work between 6pm and 11pm Monday to Friday;
- Work between 7am and 6pm Saturday; and
- Work between 6pm and 11pm Saturday
The increases to penalty rates will be phased in instalments as set out in tables below:
| Monday-Friday 6pm-11pm | Currently | 1 Nov 2018 | 1 Oct 2019 | 1 Mar 2020 | 1 Oct 2020 | 1 Mar 2021 |
| Casual rate (Penalty + loading) | 25% | 30% | 35% | 40% | 45% | 50% |
| Saturday 7am-6pm | Currently | 1 Nov 2018 | 1 Oct 2019 | 1 Mar 2020 |
| Casual rate (Penalty + loading) | 35% | 40% | 45% | 50% |
| Saturday 6pm-11pm | Currently | 1 Nov 2018 | 1 Oct 2019 | 1 Mar 2020 |
| Casual rate (Penalty + loading) | 25% | 40% | 45% | 50% |
Winning for casuals!
The SDA has been winning increased rights for casuals this year. We have won a 3 year fight to increase penalty rates for casuals on weeknights and Saturdays.
Earlier this year, the SDA along with Australian Unions won the right for casual employees doing regular hours to formally request to convert to permanent work and overtime rates of pay for casual employees in relevant Awards.
Casual employees working regular hours who are SDA members can get advice and representation to help you get more secure, permanent work. Call 131 732 for help.