Excavator operators often get a higher pay rate when working on weekends, public holidays or outside of normal working hours. As set by the Fair Work Ombudsman and outlined in the Building and Construction General Onsite Award MA00020:
1) Saturday after 12 pm: Excavator hire hourly rate x 1.5 times (most operators don't charge penalty rates on Saturday)
2) At night after 6 pm: Excavator hire hourly rate x 1.5 times
3) Broken shifts with less than 8 hours between each: Excavator hire hourly rate x 1.5 times
4) Sundays: Excavator hire hourly rate x 2 time
5) Public holidays: Excavator hire hourly rate x 2.5 time