Centrelink - Overtime

The Centrelink agreement outlines overtime conditions in section 69. In order to be paid overtime rates, the overtime must be approved in advance. You must take a meal break of at least 30 minutes after five hours of continuous duty. This includes any overtime that is continuous with your regular hours.

Your personal circumstances must be taken into account in deciding what constitutes reasonable overtime.

Overtime Rates

If you are acting at a higher level, the overtime rates apply at that level. Overtime rates, as outlined in clause 69.8 are

Minimum Overtime Payment

• Four hours where the overtime is not counted as continuous service (e.g. you have finished work prior to being directed to work overtime or you are not rostered to work on the day you are required to work overtime).
• Two hours for emergency duty, staff will be paid for time spent travelling to and from duty.
• One hour for staff who are on restricted duty but are not recalled to duty to perform overtime.
• Three hours for staff who are on restricted duty and are recalled to duty to perform overtime.

Time in Lieu

You can decide to swap an overtime payment for time off in lieu which you will accrue at the relevant overtime rate, if your team leader agrees. You can use this time to reduce an existing flex debit. You cannot be forced to take time off in lieu instead of receiving an overtime payment. See clause 69.10.

Overtime Meal Allowance

You may also be entitled to a meal allowance payment of $23.60 when working overtime, as outlined in section 42 of your agreement. The approved overtime needs to start before and go beyond a meal allowance period. The meal allowance periods are:

Need advice or support?

For more information on these entitlements or for general advice and support contact your delegate, organiser, call 1300 137 636 or email cpsu.centrelink@cpsu.org.au