Double Time Explained (Australia)

Double Time in Australia (2× Pay Explained Simply)

Double time means being paid twice your base hourly rate.

If your base rate is $30/hr, double time is $60/hr.

When Double Time Usually Applies

Every award is different, but these patterns are consistent:

1. After a set number of overtime hours

Commonly:

first 2 hours = 1.5×

after that = 2×

2. Sundays (some awards)

Especially in trades, security, logistics, and some health roles.

3. Public holidays (variations)

Some awards use:

2×

2.25×

2.5×

4. Excessively long shifts

Once a shift exceeds:

10 hours

12 hours

or rostered limits

…double time often kicks in.

5. Non-rostered call-outs

Urgent / emergency returns to work.

How to Calculate Double Time

Base Rate × 2

Examples:

$25/hr → $50/hr

$32/hr → $64/hr

$40/hr → $80/hr

If you worked 5 hours at double time on a $30/hr base:
5 × (30 × 2) = $300

Annual Impact Example

If you average 2 hours of double time per week:

2 × (30 × 2) = $120 weekly
Annual: 120 × 52 = $6,240 extra per year

Related Tools

Overtime Calculator

Penalty Rates Calculator

Hourly → Annual Calculator