Negotiating your average work hours per week

You’re probably well aware that the number of hours you work in a week can have a big impact on your overall happiness and job satisfaction. Allowing enough time for family, friends and leisure is crucial for striking the right work-life balance. 

If you feel you’re not reaching that balance, it’s important to take a moment to work out what feels sustainable to you. Before looking for a new job or leaving due to stress, try to negotiate your work hours with your employer, with a clear understanding of what you want and what’s within reason. When contemplating your ideal work hours, the obvious place to start is with exactly how many hours are in a week of ‘regular’ full-time work.

In this article, we look at the average work week hours in Australia across different industries and employment types, from full-time to casual, before exploring how to negotiate with your employer, to find a good balance for both of you.

What are the average full time hours per week in Australia?  

How many hours per week is full time? According to the National Employment Standards (NES), in Australia, the answer is 38 hours. 

The average employment hours can vary from company to company and between locations. As a result, working hours may be different between capital cities, regional centres and rural areas. These variations can be influenced by things like industry, lifestyle preferences and geography, as well as whether you work full time, part time or casual hours, or in an office job, for a government organisation, or in a trade.

Common terms like ‘full-time hours’ and ‘standard working week’ generally refer to regular full-time hours (in this case, the 38-hour week). But this can change based on employer discretion, as well as industry awards and enterprise agreements. 

Which industry works the most hours in a week in Australia?  

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the industry that clocks up the most hours in a working week in Australia is mining, where workers average around 42.5 hours per week. Meanwhile, industries with the lowest average weekly hours include accommodation and food services, arts and recreation, and retail. 

Below is a snapshot of the average weekly working hours in various industries. These figures take all employment types into account.

• Administrative and support services: this industry has seen a gradual decline in weekly working hours, with employees working 31.6 hours a week in 2018, dropping to 30.5 hours by 2023.

• Professional services (including scientific and technical services): in 2018, those in this field averaged 34.7 hours weekly, dipping to 33.9 hours in 2023.

• Manufacturing: workers here put in 36.5 hours per week in 2018, which bumped up slightly to 37.5 hours by 2023.

• Financial and insurance services: those in finance and insurance averaged 34.8 hours in 2018, nudging down to 34.7 hours by 2023.

• Construction: in 2018, construction workers logged around 39.1 hours weekly, easing down to 38.4 hours by 2023.

• Wholesale and retail trade: wholesale trade employees clocked 35.7 hours weekly in 2018, dipping to 35.5 hours by 2023. Meanwhile, retail workers dropped from 27 hours in 2018 to 25.3 hours in 2023. 

• Transportation and storage (including postal): this field saw an increase from 37.3 hours in 2018 to 37.9 hours by 2023.

• Real estate services: employees in real estate worked 32.5 hours weekly in 2018, climbing to 34.5 hours by 2023.

• Accommodation, food and beverage services: in 2018, these industries averaged 22.6 hours weekly, staying fairly steady at 22.8 hours by 2023.

• Information and communications: hours in this industry saw a modest rise from 34.2 hours per week in 2018 to 34.9 hours in 2023.

• Public administration and safety: this sector maintained hours at 34 per week in 2018, rising slightly to 34.6 hours in 2023.

• Education and training: little change occurred, with educators clocking in 27.3 hours weekly in 2018 and 27 hours in 2023.

• Health and social services: hours saw a slight drop in this field from 28.2 in 2018 to 27.9 in 2023.

How many average working hours per week can you work?  

In Australia, the 2009 Fair Work Act sets out the maximum number of working hours per week. Under this legislation, an employer must not ask their employees to work more than 38 hours per week, unless the additional hours are reasonable. 

But what about work that doesn’t fit into the 38-hour week format? If you’re wondering how many working hours in a week is average for your employment type, take a look at the minimum and maximum working hours for full-time, fixed-term contract, part-time, freelance and casual employment: 

• Full-time employment: in Australia, full-time work is considered anything between 35–38 hours per week, along with any reasonable overtime.
• Part-time employment: part-time employees work less than 38 hours per week and typically range from less than 10 to around 30 hours.
• Casual employment: casual employees work irregular hours based on employer demand. There are no guaranteed minimum hours per week, but on the other hand, casual workers often enjoy higher hourly rates to compensate for the lack of benefits that come with permanent positions. 
• Fixed-term contract employment: the hours employees under fixed-term contracts work will depend on the contract. Some workers will be offered permanent employment at either full-time or part-time hours. Others will be offered on a ‘fixed’ number of months or years. 
• Freelance: freelancers enjoy flexibility in their working hours, often determining their schedules based on project deadlines and client needs. Hours worked can vary widely, from only a few hours to well over 40 per week. 

How to negotiate working hours in a week with your employer 

Flexible working hours can benefit both you and your employer. If you decide you want to negotiate your working hours in a week, it’s important that you demonstrate how you can make it work, while also building trust with your employer. 

Before you enter into negotiations, there are a few important steps to take. Being well informed and confident in your request can help ensure you’re prepared to negotiate. 

1. Understand your options  

When negotiating your working hours, it’s important to take the time to understand all your options. 

• Familiarise yourself with your company’s policies and procedures regarding flexible work arrangements and working hours. 
• Research relevant industry norms and trends around flexible employment arrangements and negotiating working hours. 
• Explore your legal rights when it comes to working hours and flexible scheduling, as set out in the Fair Work Act, as well as any other relevant employment laws or regulations
• Reflect on your own preferences when it comes to work-life balance. Think about what kind of schedule would best suit your needs: would you like a work day where hours range between 11am–7pm, rather than 9–5? Perhaps you would prefer to work longer hours each day in order to condense your work into a four-day week?  

The extent of flexibility your employer can provide will come down to their policies and workplace culture. However, working out your ideal arrangement is a great starting point for negotiations.

2. Know your value  

When negotiating with your employer, be aware of the value you bring to the company. Consider your performance up until now, your skills, and any achievements within the company. You can also get feedback from colleagues, supervisors and mentors, who can shed insight into your strengths and areas for improvement. 

You should also think about how you can quantify the impact of changing your working hours. This means identifying specific examples of how adjusting your hours could positively impact your employer, by clearly outlining your productivity, performance, loyalty and overall contribution to the company.

3. Build your case  

Before negotiating, prepare a persuasive argument outlining why adjusting your working hours is in the best interest of both parties. You should clearly show the benefits of flexible working hours for both yourself and the company. You may want to consider things like increased productivity, improved employee satisfaction, or long-term loyalty.

Make sure you demonstrate how it would actually work. For example, if you wanted to work a four-day week, then you might want to outline the longer hours each day that you’ll do to ensure your hours don’t change. If you want to work fewer hours, you should show how you can still fulfil your responsibilities, or how you propose to reduce your salary or benefits as part of the deal.

You can also brainstorm any potential questions or pushback that your employer might have, thinking about ways that you can gently address them to build trust. This might include concerns around maintaining accountability, meeting deadlines or something more specific to your employer.

4. Present your proposal  

With your proposal prepared, it’s time to schedule a meeting with your manager or HR manager to discuss your proposal. Confidently present your request, outlining the proposed changes and the reasons behind them. Don’t forget to provide any supporting documentation or evidence you’ve gathered to strengthen your case. 

5. Negotiate and agree  

When negotiating, it’s important to be open to compromises and alternatives, and be willing to adjust your expectations based on feedback. Listen to what your employer has to say and try to see things from their point of view – at the end of the day, it’s about finding common ground. 

When you’ve finalised the details of your negotiation, be sure to lay out the terms of the new arrangement, covering everything from tasks to schedules. Make sure you document the new agreement in writing to make it official and avoid any confusion down the line. 

Whether you’d like to adjust your work hours or switch to a more flexible employment situation like WFH or remote work, reflecting on what’s best for you and having an open conversation with your employer can make a big difference to your job satisfaction. By first understanding the average working hours per week in Australia, you can be better prepared to negotiate and explain your reasoning. As flexibility increasingly becomes the norm, finding out-of-the-box solutions can benefit both employees and employers. Get creative and explore your options to make your work life something that works for you.

FAQs 

Is a 40-hour work week legal in Australia? 

While 38 hours is legally considered a full-time work week in Australia, the Fair Work Act allows for additional hours as long as they’re reasonable. As a result, many industries and employers recognise 40 hours as standard, as long as they involve appropriate compensation, as regulated by the Act. 

How many hours a week does an Australian work? 

On average, Australians work around 38 hours per week. This figure represents a standard full-time work week in Australia. Part-time workers typically work fewer hours, while some industries may have longer or irregular work hours. This is also the same for casual workers. 

Is 37.5 hours full-time in Australia? 

Yes, 37.5 hours is considered full time in Australia. The standard full-time work week in Australia is commonly set at 38 hours, however as little as 35 hours is still recognised as full time, allowing industries or employers to adopt different arrangements. 

How many hours is 8 hrs 5 days a week? 

Working eight hours, five days a week totals 40 hours. While some sectors may have different work week hours, this setup is very common and lines up with a typical full-time employment arrangement. 

Is 20 hours a week part time in Australia? 

Yes, 20 hours a week is generally considered part time in Australia. Part-time employment typically involves working fewer hours than full-time positions, offering employees flexibility in their schedules. However, it’s important to note that casual workers may also work 20 or more hours per week. Whether it’s part time or casual depends on the employment contract.

What is a healthy number of working hours per week? 

A ‘healthy’ number of working hours per week is generally considered to be around 30 to 40 hours. This range lines up with the standard working week hours in many countries. However, your own preferences might be different, so it’s essential to find a balance that suits you.

What is the average length of employment in Australia? 

The average length of employment in Australia is approximately three to four years, which represents the duration people typically spend with an employer before moving on to new opportunities. This number is influenced by factors including career progression, industry trends and career goals and aspirations.

How many hours is a 5-day week? 

A regular five-day work week consists of between 35 to 38 hours, which is the standard across many industries. There might be some differences in different roles or companies, but most people in traditional full-time roles stick to this weekly hour range.

How many hours is 9am to 5pm a week? 

Working from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, totals 40 hours a week. While there is some variation based on specific job roles or workplace agreements, the 9–5 arrangement is the typical work time. 

How do I calculate my work hours? 

To calculate the hours you work in a week, multiply the number of hours worked per day by the number of days worked in a week. For example, if you work 8 hours per day for 5 days a week, the calculation equals 40 hours per week.

How many hours are in a working week? 

In Australia, there are typically 35 to 38 hours in a standard, full-time working week. While specific work hours may vary based on factors such as job role, industry norms and employment agreements, this range serves as a benchmark for many professions.