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Substitute Public Holidays in the Social and Community Services Award

Substitute Public Holidays in the Social and Community Services Award

Public holidays can now be substituted under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (Social and Community Services Award).

This change follows a decision by the Fair Work Commission, the national workplace relations tribunal. It applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 11 September 2023.

What’s changed

Under the Social and Community Services Award, an employee can now make a request to substitute a public holiday (or a part day public holiday) for a different day (or part day).

If their employer agrees to the request, the substitute day will be treated as the public holiday. This means that any work performed by an employee on the replaced day is paid at their normal pay rate.

The employee then gets a paid day (or part day) off on the substitute day. If the employee works on the substitute public holiday, they’re entitled to be paid penalty rates for the time worked.

Minimum entitlements for public holidays are set by the National Employment Standards.

More information

Read the Fair Work Commission’s full decision and determination varying the award.

Need more information on public holiday entitlements under the Social and Community Services Award? Check out:

•    Public holidays penalty rates
•    Not working on public holidays

Public holidays

For a full list of public holidays in your state or territory, visit Public holidays. https://www.fairwork.gov.au/