Break Deduction Calculator
Calculate paid hours for a shift after deducting an unpaid meal or rest break, then work out gross pay for that shift.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Paid hours
- Paid hours = total shift length − unpaid break
Worked example
An 8-hour shift with a 30-minute unpaid break leaves 7.5 paid hours, worth $225 at a $30 hourly rate.
Assumptions
- Only unpaid breaks should be deducted; paid rest breaks stay in paid hours.
- Excludes overtime or penalty rates.
How this calculator works
Enter your total shift length and the length of any unpaid break to see your paid hours for the shift, then multiply by your hourly rate for gross pay. This is useful for checking a payslip matches the breaks actually taken.
Frequently asked questions
Are all breaks unpaid?
No, many awards provide short paid rest breaks alongside a longer unpaid meal break; only enter the unpaid portion here.
What if I didn't take my full break?
Enter the break time you actually took, since that is what should be deducted from paid hours under most awards.
Does this calculate overtime?
No, use the Time and a Half or Double Time Pay calculators for shifts that include overtime rates.
Actual entitlements can depend on your award, enterprise agreement, contract, employment status and individual circumstances.