Do You Get Paid for Public Holidays on Workers Compensation in Queensland?

A public holiday is coming up – are you going to get paid as per your compensation scheme? Learn everything you need to know here. 
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WorkCover Compensation on Public Holidays

While receiving weekly WorkCover payments in Queensland, there are a few rules to be aware of in terms of public holidays. 

• Regular Work Days Falling on Public Holidays: If your usual work schedule covers days that fall on a public holiday, you will still be paid by WorkCover for those days.
• No Public Holiday Penalty Rates: Importantly, the payments will be at the usual WorkCover rate and not the inflated penalty rates you might have gotten while working.
• Compensation vs Normal Wage: Remember, WorkCover aims to replace a portion of your lost income based on an average week, not specific days and penalty rates that go with some.
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Potential Exceptions to Keep in Mind

With the basic rules covered, there are also some exceptions to be aware of as you navigate your WorkCover payments on public holidays. 

• Employment Contract: For public holidays, sometimes your work contract goes beyond basic legal minimums. Your contract might still give you public holidays, even if not working at all. If so, those extra terms may still apply while on WorkCover. Seeking legal advice or clarification from your employer is beneficial.
• Negotiations: In some cases, your lawyer might add lost public holiday pay as a factor when negotiating settlements of your claim for a lump sum (especially with longer claim periods).
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Where to Find More Information

• WorkCover Queensland: (https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/) offers accurate information on your WorkCover entitlements‍
• Fair Work Ombudsman: Their site sheds light on pay in ordinary work scenarios, including public holidays (https://www.fairwork.gov.au/)