I am a Newbie to Australia Question. I got my first job, Is this Legal???

tony10 (56) in teamaustralia • 7 years ago

Hi everyone,
I am very new to Australia and took some temporary work with a local builder while I find some permenant work. I got my first weeks pay on Friday for the first time and noticed that my hours were short by 3 hrs (I am getting paid by the hour). I queried the boss and his response took me back a bit, he said that in Australia they don't pay you for your lunch break if you are working by the hour...... ODD

As I said I am new to this country so I didn't complain much, but after putting in a 9 hour back breaking 6 days a week then day not getting paid for 30 minute break seems very weird to me. In South africa and the UK were I have worked before you do get paid for your breaks as long as you work a full day.
So I thought I would ask you guys?
Question mark.jpg

What do you think? Have I found a crap boss or is this normal in construction? Am I getting taken advantage of as a new immigrant?
Your advice is gratefully received.
Thanks in advance

teamaustralia sydney manly jobs

7 years ago by tony10 (56)

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lostdomium (37) · 7 years ago

Ok so from my understanding, you need to work for 4hr b4 you get a paid 10-15 min break, but 30 for lunch isnt paid.
BUT
If your working 9hr a day then you will get 2x 15min piad break and 1 30 min unpaid break.
If you work 8hr you get 1 paid 15min and one unpaid 30min lunch..

If im mistaken please someone let me know, this is info based on my experience working 20years, and it could be diffrent from industry to industry..

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tony10 (56) · 7 years ago

Thanks for responding. I just dont want to be ripped of as a new guy who doesn't know the rules.
Thanks Again

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lostdomium (37) · 7 years ago

just did a quick check i didnt want to give bad advice so the following is from fairwork Australia.

"A rest break is a 10 minute paid break that counts as time worked.

A meal break is a 30 minute unpaid break that doesn’t count as time worked, except for shiftworkers. Meal breaks for shiftworkers are paid and count as time worked.

An employee gets 1 rest break and 1 meal break each day.

An employee who works for more than 5 hours must get at least 1 meal break.

Check the Building and Construction Award for information about wash time before lunch, paid meal breaks for employees involved in shaft or trench sinking and longer break entitlements in certain situations."