UK restaurant worker staggered by Australia’s high holiday pay rates
A British hospitality worker has called Australia’s holiday pay rates “insane”.
The 29-year-old who has been working as a hostess took to TikTok to express her astonishment at her Good Friday hourly rate.
Tara is being paid and hourly rate of $65.
“The hourly public holiday rate in Australia is insane. I’m working 12 hours, but I’m getting paid $65 per hour because I’m on a casual contract,” she told TikTok followers.
The agreement for hospitality workers is a 25 per cent loading for a public holiday on top of the worker’s ordinary pay.
“It is an actual place where you can very good money and have a sick time while doing it,” she declared.
Tara’s joy is exacerbated by the fact she can pay half a month’s rent working just one shift.
“I love that I’ve gone into hospitality and not back into my corporate job because I’m having loads of fun,” she said.
Tara has already worked four public holidays this year, which has helped with her travel plans for June.
Australia has eight national public holidays a year.
Tara said the minimum wage in Australia made her feel that the country is livable. She is not alone in those sentiments.
One youth worker commented to Tara that they had earned $865 for only 8 hours of work on a public holiday. While another was earning $130 an hour over the holiday weekend.
Others earned $89 per hour and $96 per hour.
“It’s not insane, babe! You deserve to get paid more for working today when heaps of people are partying or spending time with family,” one commented.
“Think you’ve forgotten how much tax will come out,” another pointed out.
It was also pointed out that holiday pay is bad for business, with many choosing to close on public holidays as they would make a loss.
Jonathan Jackson, 1st April 2024
