Payroll over harvest

There are a few public holidays coming up in April, so let’s look at how to pay staff over this period. How an employee is paid on a public holiday depends on whether they actually work on that day, and if it is a day they would usually be working.

If an employee does not work the public holiday and it is an otherwise working day, the employee is entitled to be paid either their ‘relevant daily pay’ or their ‘average daily pay.’ This means that for most employees who have a regular work schedule, their pay will look the same as usual.

If an employee works the public holiday, they’re entitled to be paid at least time and a half for the time actually worked on the day. They’re also entitled to an alternative holiday, which can be taken on a day agreed to by the employer and employee.

If the employer and employee agree in writing, the public holiday could instead be transferred to another day (or 24-hour period) so that it covers one entire shift – as long as the reason for transferring is not to avoid paying the employee their entitlements.

A public holiday is seen as midnight to midnight, so what about harvest workers on nightshift? Any time worked on the public holiday should be paid at least time and a half. If the public holiday is also an otherwise working day, then the worker is also entitled to an alternative holiday – even if they only work a small portion of their shift on the public holiday itself.

Daylight savings ends on the first Sunday in April. This means that at 3am the clocks roll back to 2am and workers on a night shift will work an additional hour. They must be paid for this hour of work.

April 2025 dates to note:

• 6th April – Daylight savings ends at 3am

• 18th April – Good Friday

• 20th April – Easter Sunday. Note! Easter Sunday is not a public holiday, though it is a restricted trading day, meaning most shops must close.

• 21st April – Easter Monday

• 25th April – ANZAC Day

We deal with payroll every day, so if you have any questions give us a call!