What is continuous piggery shiftwork?
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Quick explanation
Previously reviewed explanation — check official wording before use
Continuous work uses consecutive shifts for 24 hours each day for at least 6 days in a row, with only permitted interruptions for breakdowns, meals or unavoidable causes beyond the employer’s control. Ordinary hours average 38 per week including crib time and cannot exceed 152 in 28 days.
Check the conditions
- A majority agreement may average 38 ordinary weekly hours over longer than 28 days up to 26 weeks.
- Shifts are normally up to 8 ordinary hours; longer shifts require majority agreement and cannot exceed 12 hours.
- No more than one shift in 24 hours except at regular changeover.
Read the official wording and citations
Pastoral Award 2020 — FWC Award text hosted by the Fair Work Ombudsman
FWC · MA000035 · Clause 39
39. Continuous work hours—Ordinary hours and roster cycles for shiftworkers
39.1 Application of clause 39
Clause 39 applies to shiftworkers who work on continuous work as defined in clause 39.2.
39.2 Definition of continuous work
Continuous work means work carried on with consecutive shifts for 24 hours on each day for at least 6 days in a row without interruption (other than for breakdowns, for meal breaks or due to unavoidable causes beyond the employer’s control).
39.3 Maximum hours in certain periods
(a) In any 28 day period, a shiftworker working a shift:
(i) is not to work more than 152 ordinary hours; and
(ii) is to average 38 ordinary hours a week, including crib time.
(b) However, the employer and the majority of employees concerned may agree on a roster system that results in the weekly average of 38 ordinary hours being achieved over a period that is longer than 28 days, but no longer than 26 weeks.
39.4 Length of shifts
(a) A shiftworker is to work a shift of up to 8 ordinary hours at the times the employer requires.
(b) A shift may not be longer than 12 ordinary hours.
(c) If a shift is to be longer than 8 ordinary hours, then it is to be agreed by the employer and the majority of employees in the plant, or work section, or sections concerned.
39.5 Frequency of shifts
An employee must not be required to work more than one shift in any 24 hours, except at regular changeover of shifts.
39.6 Crib time for shiftworkers
A continuous work shiftworker is allowed 20 minutes crib time on each shift, which is counted as time worked.
Complete top-level clause extracted from the checked official consolidated text, including the available subordinate paragraphs and tables. Source wording and official numbering retained; whitespace/table layout normalised. AI source-checked for this user-authorised local release; no human professional review.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2026. Fair Work Commission. Consolidated Award text hosted by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Quotations retain source wording; whitespace/table formatting is normalised for display. Personal/non-commercial or internal use only under the FWC copyright notice. Quick Award explanations are separate AI source-checked text; no government endorsement.
- Official document
- Pastoral Award 2020 — FWC Award text hosted by the Fair Work Ombudsman ↗
- Version
- This Fair Work Commission consolidated modern award incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 July 2026 (PR799280, PR799316 and PR799473). ↗
- Citation verified
- Operative note
- Based on the current consolidated Award text incorporating amendments up to and including 1 July 2026. That consolidation date is not the commencement date of every provision; check the relevant variation and operative conditions when assessing an earlier period.