Time in Lieu Calculator

Work out how much time off you are owed instead of overtime pay under your award, the date you must take it by, and what it is worth if it is paid out instead. The answer depends on the award. 18 of the 28 time off clauses in the 26 awards here give one hour off for each overtime hour, so 2 hours of overtime is 2 hours off. The other 10 give time off at the overtime rate, so 2 hours at 150% is 3 hours off. Time you never take is not lost: it is paid out.

Your details

Your award

Time off instead of overtime pay comes from the award clause. An enterprise agreement or contract can set its own terms.

How you are employed

Overtime hours worked on the day

One day at a time. Awards with a first block at a lower rate count it afresh each day.

When you worked it

Classification

The award minimum for full-time and part-time employees. Choose your own rate if you are paid more or are a junior or apprentice.

Day the overtime was worked

Time off owed

3 hours

Time off clause: Clause 21.3
Time off for each overtime hour: The overtime rate, as hours
Overtime rate, Table 11, clause 21.2(c): 2 hours at 150%
Ordinary hourly rate: $27.81, Retail Employee Level 1
Time off owed: 3 hours
Take it within 6 months, by: 1 April 2027
Paid out instead, at the overtime rate: $83.43
Agreement: In writing, clause 21.3(a)

Clause 21.3(b) of the General Retail Industry Award 2020 makes the time off equal to the overtime payment: its own example turns 2 hours at 150% into 3 hours off. It must be taken within 6 months of the overtime, at times you and your employer agree (clause 21.3(c)). If you ask at any time, your employer must pay it out in the next pay period at the overtime rate that applied when you worked it (clause 21.3(d)). Time not taken within 6 months is paid the same way in the next pay period after (clause 21.3(e)), and time still owed when the job ends is paid at that overtime rate (clause 21.3(h)). The overtime rate comes from Table 11, clause 21.2(c), as a percentage of the minimum hourly rate for Monday to Saturday.

Worked examples, with the arithmetic.

The same sums the tool runs, on real figures. Every number below is computed by the tested engine from the published rates, so the prose and the tool can never disagree.

How much time off do 4 overtime hours earn under the General Retail Industry Award 2020?

3 x 150% + 1 x 200%       = 6.5 hours off
paid out at $27.81        = $180.77
take by, cl 21.3(c)       = 1 April 2027

Clause 21.3(b) makes the time off equal to the overtime payment. The first 3 hours on Monday to Saturday are at 150% and the next at 200%, so 4 hours worked on 1 October 2026 earn 6.5 hours off, to be taken within 6 months. For Retail Employee Level 1 at $27.81 an hour, paying it out instead is worth $180.77.

Why do 2 overtime hours earn only 2 hours off under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020?

hour for hour, cl 28.5(d) = 2 hours off
time off at $25.74        = $51.48
paid out, 2 x 150%        = $77.22

Clause 28.5(d) gives one hour off for each overtime hour, not the overtime rate. At $25.74 an hour, those 2 hours off are worth $51.48 of ordinary time, while the same overtime paid out at 150% is $77.22. Clause 28.5(f) lets you ask for the payment at any time, and it is made in the next pay period.

Is this accurate, and how does it work?

The method is published rather than described. Nothing here is a black box, and the limits are listed as plainly as the workings.

1Find the time off clause in your award. Every one of the 26 awards here has one, headed "Time off instead of payment for overtime" or, in the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 and the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020, "Time off instead of overtime payment". The Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 has two worded the same, clause 23 for employees who do not work shifts and clause 29 for shiftwork. Clause 32.8(a) of the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 sends vehicle manufacturing employees to clause 57.1, which works differently. The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 puts its clause in Schedule A, so it covers only teachers in early childhood services that operate for at least 48 weeks a year. Clause 29.13(a) of the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 leaves out daily hire employees and casuals, and clause 24.1 of the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 leaves vehicle sales staff, fuel retail attendants and other casuals out of the overtime clause the time off sits in.
2Agree to it, one lot of overtime at a time. 26 of the clauses start the same way: you and your employer may agree that you take time off instead of being paid for a particular amount of overtime already worked. 22 of them say the agreement is made in writing. 18 add that each pay period's overtime needs a separate agreement, and 17 of those list what it must state: the hours and when they were worked, that time off is agreed, and that your employer must pay out any of it you ask for in the next pay period. They point to an example form in a schedule and accept an exchange of emails. Every one of these clauses bars your employer from exerting undue influence or undue pressure on your decision, and lets you ask for time off under section 65 of the Fair Work Act. The Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, clause 57.1 and the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 use an older form: you elect to take time off with your employer's agreement, and the arrangement should be put in writing and kept with your wage records.
3Turn the overtime into hours off. Hour for hour is the rule in 18 clauses. Clause 28.5(d) of the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 is typical: "The period of time off that an employee is entitled to take is the same as the number of overtime hours worked." At the overtime rate are the Fast Food Industry Award 2020, the General Retail Industry Award 2020, the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, clause 57.1, the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, the Nurses Award 2020, the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020, the Registered and Licensed Clubs Award 2020, the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 and the Restaurant Industry Award 2020. Clause 21.3(b) of the General Retail Industry Award 2020 says "the period of time off that an employee is entitled to take is equivalent to the overtime payment that would have been made", and its example turns 2 hours at 150% into 3 hours off. On an hour-for-hour award, the time off is worth less than the overtime pay it replaces, and the calculator shows the two side by side.
4Take it within the time limit. 25 clauses set 6 months from the day the overtime is worked, at times you and your employer agree. Clause 28.2(d) of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 sets 3 months. The Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, clause 57.1 and the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 set 4 weeks, at a mutually convenient time, or up to 8 hours banked and taken within 8 weeks.
5Know when it is paid out instead. Under the agreement clauses, three things turn the time off back into money, each at the overtime rate that applied when the overtime was worked: you ask for payment, and it is made in the next pay period; the time limit passes with hours untaken, and they are paid in the next pay period after; or the job ends with time still owed. Clause 28.2(j) of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 pays on the rates of pay applying when the payment is made, so a pay rise in between counts. The Security Services Industry Award 2020 has no paragraph on asking for payment, but clause 19.4(c)(iii) makes every agreement say your employer will pay on request. The vehicle clauses pay time not taken, and time owed when you resign or the job ends, at the rate it was accrued.
6Price the payout. The payout is each overtime hour times its overtime percentage times your ordinary hourly rate. This site has extracted the overtime rates of the General Retail Industry Award 2020 (full-time and part-time), the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (full-time and part-time), the Fast Food Industry Award 2020 (full-time and part-time), the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (full-time, part-time and casual), the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 (full-time and part-time) and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (full-time), and uses them. For any other award or employment type you enter the percentage from your award or pay guide, and nothing is assumed until you do. The Overtime Calculator prices a whole week of ordinary hours and overtime, and Penalty Rates sets out the weekend and public holiday rates for ordinary hours.

Time off instead of overtime pay in each award.

Read from each award’s own “Time off instead of payment for overtime” clause. Every paragraph was matched against a known wording, every cross-reference checked, and each award’s own example worked through. A clause in any other shape is refused rather than guessed.

Time off instead of payment for overtime, by award
Award	Clause	Time off	Take it within	Paid out	Award text to
Aged Care Award 2010MA000018Aged Care Award Pay Rates	25.2	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 25.2(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 25.2(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 25.2(g)When the job ends, clause 25.2(k)	1 September 2026
Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020MA000020	29.13	Hour for hourNot casuals, clause 29.13(a)Not daily hire employeesWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 29.13(f)	On request, next pay period, clause 29.13(g)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 29.13(h)When the job ends, clause 29.13(l)	1 July 2026
Children's Services Award 2010MA000120Children's Services Award Pay Rates	23.3	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 23.3(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 23.3(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 23.3(g)When the job ends, clause 23.3(k)	1 July 2026
Cleaning Services Award 2020MA000022Cleaning Services Award Pay Rates	19.5	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 19.5(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 19.5(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 19.5(g)When the job ends, clause 19.5(k)	1 July 2026
Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020MA000002Clerks Award Pay Rates	23	Hour for hourEmployees other than shiftworkersWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 23.5	On request, next pay period, clause 23.6After 6 months, next pay period, clause 23.7When the job ends, clause 23.11	1 July 2026
Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020MA000002	29	Hour for hourShiftworkWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 29.5	On request, next pay period, clause 29.6After 6 months, next pay period, clause 29.7When the job ends, clause 29.11	1 July 2026
Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020MA000077Teachers Award Pay Rates	A.4.2	Hour for hourEarly childhood teachers in services open 48 weeks a year or moreWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause A.4.2(e)	On request, next pay period, clause A.4.2(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause A.4.2(g)When the job ends, clause A.4.2(k)	1 July 2026
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020MA000025Electrical Award Pay Rates	20.7	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 20.7(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 20.7(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 20.7(g)When the job ends, clause 20.7(k)	1 July 2026
Fast Food Industry Award 2020MA000003Fast Food Award Pay Rates	20.7	At the overtime rateAgreement, writing not required	6 months, clause 20.7(c)	On request, next pay period, clause 20.7(d)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 20.7(e)When the job ends, clause 20.7(h)	1 July 2026
Fitness Industry Award 2020MA000094Fitness Award Pay Rates	19.4	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 19.4(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 19.4(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 19.4(g)When the job ends, clause 19.4(k)	1 July 2026
Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020MA000101Gardening and Landscaping Award Pay Rates	19.7	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 19.7(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 19.7(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 19.7(g)When the job ends, clause 19.7(k)	1 July 2026
General Retail Industry Award 2020MA000004Retail Award Pay Rates	21.3	At the overtime rateWritten agreement	6 months, clause 21.3(c)	On request, next pay period, clause 21.3(d)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 21.3(e)When the job ends, clause 21.3(h)	1 July 2026
Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020MA000005Hair and Beauty Award Pay Rates	22.6	At the overtime rateAgreement, writing not required	6 months, clause 22.6(c)	On request, next pay period, clause 22.6(d)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 22.6(e)When the job ends, clause 22.6(h)	1 July 2026
Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020MA000027Health Services Award Pay Rates	25.5	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 25.5(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 25.5(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 25.5(g)When the job ends, clause 25.5(k)	1 October 2026
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020MA000009Hospitality Award Pay Rates	28.5	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 28.5(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 28.5(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 28.5(g)When the job ends, clause 28.5(k)	1 July 2026
Legal Services Award 2020MA000116Legal Services Award Pay Rates	20.5	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 20.5(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 20.5(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 20.5(g)When the job ends, clause 20.5(k)	1 July 2026
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020MA000010Manufacturing Award Pay Rates	32.8	Hour for hourNot vehicle manufacturing employeesWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 32.8(f)	On request, next pay period, clause 32.8(g)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 32.8(h)When the job ends, clause 32.8(l)	1 July 2026
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020MA000010	57.1	At the overtime rateVehicle manufacturing employeesYou elect, your employer agrees	4 weeks, clause 57.1(b), or 8 hours banked for 8 weeks	Untaken time and time owed on leaving, at the rate accrued, clause 57.1(e)	1 July 2026
Nurses Award 2020MA000034Nurses Award Pay Rates	19.3	At the overtime rateAgreement, writing not required	6 months, clause 19.3(c)	On request, next pay period, clause 19.3(d)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 19.3(e)When the job ends, clause 19.3(h)	1 August 2026
Pharmacy Industry Award 2020MA000012Pharmacy Award Pay Rates	21.5	At the overtime rateAgreement, writing not required	6 months, clause 21.5(c)	On request, next pay period, clause 21.5(d)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 21.5(e)When the job ends, clause 21.5(h)	1 July 2026
Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020MA000036Apprentice Plumber Wages	22.6	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 22.6(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 22.6(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 22.6(g)When the job ends, clause 22.6(k)	16 September 2026
Registered and Licensed Clubs Award 2020MA000058Clubs Award Pay Rates	22.8	At the overtime rateWritten agreement	6 months, clause 22.8(c)	On request, next pay period, clause 22.8(d)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 22.8(e)When the job ends, clause 22.8(h)	1 July 2026
Restaurant Industry Award 2020MA000119Restaurant Award Pay Rates	23.5	At the overtime rateWritten agreement	6 months, clause 23.5(c)	On request, next pay period, clause 23.5(d)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 23.5(e)When the job ends, clause 23.5(h)	1 July 2026
Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020MA000038Road Transport Award Pay Rates	21.5	At the overtime rateWritten agreement	6 months, clause 21.5(c)	On request, next pay period, clause 21.5(d)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 21.5(e)When the job ends, clause 21.5(h)	1 July 2026
Security Services Industry Award 2020MA000016Security Award Pay Rates	19.4	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 19.4(e)	On request, as the agreement must state, clause 19.4(c)(iii)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 19.4(f)When the job ends, clause 19.4(j)	1 July 2026
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010MA000100SCHADS Award Pay Rates	28.2	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	3 months, clause 28.2(d)	On request, next pay period, clause 28.2(e)After 3 months, next pay period, clause 28.2(f)When the job ends, clause 28.2(j) on the rates applying when paid	1 September 2026
Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020MA000084Warehouse Award Pay Rates	21.3	Hour for hourWritten agreement, one per pay period	6 months, clause 21.3(e)	On request, next pay period, clause 21.3(f)After 6 months, next pay period, clause 21.3(g)When the job ends, clause 21.3(k)	1 July 2026
Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020MA000089Vehicle Repair Award Pay Rates	24.6	At the overtime rateNot casuals, clause 24.1(c)You elect, your employer agrees	4 weeks, clause 24.6(b), or 8 hours banked for 8 weeks	Untaken time and time owed on leaving, at the rate accrued, clause 24.6(e)	1 July 2026

Overtime rates the payout uses.

These are the overtime rates this site has extracted and checked. For every other award, or employment type not listed, the calculator asks you for the percentage instead of assuming one.

Extracted overtime rates by award
Award	Clause	Employees	Rates
General Retail Industry Award 2020	Table 11, clause 21.2(c)	Full-time and part-time	Monday to Saturday: 150% for 3 hours, then 200%Sunday: 200%Public holiday: 250%Of the minimum hourly rate
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020	Table 13, clause 28.4	Full-time and part-time	Monday to Friday: 150% for 2 hours, then 200%Weekends and rostered days off: 200%Public holiday: 225%Of the minimum hourly rate
Fast Food Industry Award 2020	Table 5, clause 20.6	Full-time and part-time	Monday to Saturday: 150% for 2 hours, then 200%Sunday: 200%Public holiday: 250%Of the minimum hourly rate
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020	20.1(a) and 20.4	Full-time and part-time	Any day but Sunday or a public holiday: 150% for 2 hours, then 200%Sunday: 200%Public holiday: 250%Of the ordinary hourly rate
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020	20.1(b) and 20.4	Casual	Any day but Sunday or a public holiday: 187.5% for 2 hours, then 250%Sunday: 250%Public holiday: 312.5%Of the ordinary hourly rate
Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020	24.3	Full-time and part-time	Any day but Sunday or a public holiday: 150% for 3 hours, then 200%Sunday: 200%Public holiday: 250%Of the minimum hourly rate
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010	28.1(a)	Full-time	Monday to Saturday, social and community services or crisis accommodation: 150% for 3 hours, then 200%Monday to Saturday, disability services, home care or day care: 150% for 2 hours, then 200%Sunday: 200%Public holiday: 250%Of the ordinary rate

What this does not cover.

It reads the 26 awards this site holds, each at the consolidation shown in the table below. An enterprise agreement or contract can set its own time off terms, so check yours.
It works out one day of overtime at a time, splitting the hours into the award's first block and the rest. Enter each day separately.
Overtime rates are extracted for the General Retail Industry Award 2020 (full-time and part-time), the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (full-time and part-time), the Fast Food Industry Award 2020 (full-time and part-time), the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (full-time, part-time and casual), the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 (full-time and part-time) and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (full-time) only. Elsewhere you enter the percentage, and the payout stays blank until you do. Whether hours are overtime at all, and minimum payments for weekend work or a call-back, come from the award's overtime clause and are not modelled.
The percentages are of the award's minimum or ordinary hourly rate. Enter the rate that applied when the overtime was worked, except under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, which pays on the rates applying when the payment is made. On an above-award rate the payout uses the rate you enter, which can be more than the award requires.
The deadline adds calendar months, or weeks for the vehicle clauses, to the day the overtime was worked. Where the later month is shorter, it ends on that month's last day.
The Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020 points to Schedule H for an example agreement, but the award titles that schedule "Agreement to Cash Out Annual Leave". The clause itself is read as printed.

Where these figures come from.

Fair Work Ombudsman, Overtime pay: time off instead of overtime pay, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-08-10. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018), clause 25.2, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-09-01. Retrieved 2026-09-06.
Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), clause 29.13, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000120), clause 23.3, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-06.
Cleaning Services Award 2020 (MA000022), clause 19.5, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 (MA000002), clause 23 and 29, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-06.
Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 (MA000077), clause A.4.2, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (MA000025), clause 20.7, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
Fast Food Industry Award 2020 (MA000003), clause 20.7, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-06.
Fitness Industry Award 2020 (MA000094), clause 19.4, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020 (MA000101), clause 19.7, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004), clause 21.3, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-06.
Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005), clause 22.6, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), clause 25.5, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-10-01. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009), clause 28.5, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-06.
Legal Services Award 2020 (MA000116), clause 20.5, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-10-07.
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 (MA000010), clause 32.8 and 57.1, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), clause 19.3, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-08-01. Retrieved 2026-09-06.
Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012), clause 21.5, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 (MA000036), clause 22.6, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-09-16. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
Registered and Licensed Clubs Award 2020 (MA000058), clause 22.8, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Restaurant Industry Award 2020 (MA000119), clause 23.5, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (MA000038), clause 21.5, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Security Services Industry Award 2020 (MA000016), clause 19.4, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (MA000100), clause 28.2, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-09-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 (MA000084), clause 21.3, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 (MA000089), clause 24.6, the source gave its own last updated date as 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-09-19.

Every rate this site uses is listed on the Methodology page.

Common questions.

What is time in lieu?

Paid time off taken instead of being paid for overtime. The Fair Work Ombudsman also calls it time off in lieu, or TOIL, and the awards call it time off instead of payment for overtime. It applies where an award or registered agreement provides it, and under an award you and your employer agree to it for a particular amount of overtime already worked. All 26 awards here have a clause for it.

Is time in lieu paid out?

Yes, if you do not take it. Under the agreement clauses your employer must pay it at the overtime rate that applied when you worked it: in the next pay period after you ask, in the next pay period after the time limit passes, and when the job ends. Under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, clause 57.1 and the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020, time not taken is paid at the rate it was accrued.

Is time in lieu hour for hour or time and a half?

It depends on the award. 10 clauses give time off at the overtime rate, so an hour at time and a half earns an hour and a half off: the Fast Food Industry Award 2020, the General Retail Industry Award 2020, the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, clause 57.1, the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, the Nurses Award 2020, the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020, the Registered and Licensed Clubs Award 2020, the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 and the Restaurant Industry Award 2020. The other 18 give one hour off for each overtime hour, whatever rate the overtime would have been paid at. The Legal Services Award is hour for hour under clause 20.5(d), so 2 hours of overtime is 2 hours off, taken within 6 months. Its pay rates are on Legal Services Award Pay Rates.

How long do I have to take time in lieu?

Six months from the day you work the overtime under 25 of the 28 clauses here, at a time you and your employer agree. The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 allows 3 months. The vehicle repair and vehicle manufacturing clauses allow 4 weeks, or 8 weeks for up to 8 banked hours. Under the agreement clauses, time still untaken at the deadline is paid out in the next pay period at the overtime rate.

Does time in lieu have to be in writing?

Under 22 of the 26 agreement clauses, yes, and 18 need a separate agreement for each pay period's overtime. An exchange of emails is enough. The Fast Food Industry Award 2020, the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 and the Nurses Award 2020 say only that you and your employer may agree, and the vehicle clauses say the arrangement should be written down and kept with the wage records.

Can casual employees get time in lieu?

Under most awards here, yes, because the clause does not leave them out. Clause 29.13(a) of the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 excludes casuals and daily hire employees, and clause 24.1 of the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 takes casuals out of the overtime clause the time off sits in.

Can my employer make me take time in lieu instead of overtime pay?

Not under an award. Every agreement clause needs your agreement, and bars your employer from exerting undue influence or undue pressure on your decision to make one or not. You can ask for time off yourself under section 65 of the Fair Work Act, and the award note says your employer can refuse only on reasonable business grounds. Once you have agreed, you can still ask for the overtime to be paid instead.

What happens to time in lieu when I resign?

It is paid out. Every agreement clause says time off still owed when your employment ends must be paid at the overtime rate that applied when the overtime was worked, and the vehicle clauses pay it at the rate it was accrued, naming resignation expressly. Unused annual leave is paid out too, and the Annual Leave Calculator works that part out.

Related pages.

Overtime CalculatorWork out a week mixing ordinary hours, time and a half and double time, and see what the overtime portion is worth.
Penalty RatesWhat penalty rates are, and the Saturday, Sunday and public holiday pay rates three awards publish, as percentages and hourly dollars, casual rates included.
Notice Period CalculatorHow much notice to give when you resign, from the clause in 25 awards, and the notice your employer must give under the NES, with pay in lieu and its tax.
Annual Leave CalculatorWork out an annual leave payout when you leave a job: your unused hours at the base rate, any leave loading, and the tax withheld under Schedule 7 for 2026-27.
Award Pay RatesModern award minimum pay rates by industry, how classification levels and pay points work, and how casual loading and penalty rates change what you earn.
Hourly Rate CalculatorConvert an hourly rate to a weekly, fortnightly or annual salary and back again, with take-home pay after income tax and the Medicare levy.

Every calculator on this site is listed on the Wage Calculator page.