If you are working or employing during the end of year period and you fall under the state industrial relations system it is important to understand public holiday entitlements and obligations. This season's public holidays are:

• Christmas Day, Tuesday 25 December 2018
• Boxing Day, Wednesday 26 December 2018
• New Year's Day, Tuesday 1 January 2019

For award free employees, Tuesday 25 December 2018 is the Christmas Day public holiday, while Wednesday 26 December 2018 is the Boxing Day public holiday. Tuesday 1 January 2019 is the New Year’s Day public holiday.

Full time and part time employees

Award free full time and part time employees who would normally work on Tuesday 25 December 2018, Wednesday 26 December 2018 and/or Tuesday 1 January 2019, but who are not required to work solely because it is a public holiday, are entitled to be paid for that day.

There are no minimum entitlements to additional rates of pay for working on a public holiday for award free employees. However, award free employees may have contracts of employment which specify other arrangements for payment and paid time off for public holidays.

Casual employees

There are no minimum entitlements to additional rates of pay for award free casual employees working on a public holiday. However, award free employees may have contracts of employment which specify other arrangements for payment on public holidays.

Find out more on our Christmas New Year 2018/19 public holiday arrangements page, including detailed information on public holiday arrangements for state system employees under the:

• Shop and Warehouse Award
• Restaurant, Tearoom and Catering Workers Award
• Hairdressers Award

For more information about employment obligations and entitlements on the upcoming public holidays contact Wageline via wageline@dmirs.wa.gov.au or on 1300 655 266.

Please note Wageline will be closed Monday 24 December to Wednesday 2 January 2019 and reopen on Thursday 3 January 2019.