Coles, one of Australia’s leading supermarket chains, relies on its nightfill team to restock shelves and ensure stores are ready for customers each day. For those considering a role in this department or simply curious about its operations, understanding what time is Coles nightfill is essential. Nightfill refers to the process of restocking shelves during non-peak hours, typically at night or early morning, to minimize disruption to shoppers. This article explores the typical start and finish times for Coles nightfill shifts, factors affecting these hours, and insights into the role, with practical advice for prospective employees. For background on Coles, see Coles Supermarkets.
Overview of Coles Nightfill
Nightfill is a sensitive activity in the retail where products are stocked in clean manner that is ready to be picked by customers. Nightfill team members at Coles unpack and organise stock, maintain inventory and may also be asked to help with store set up or cleaning activities. The job has a tendency to be well-liked by students, part-time staff, and individuals that need flexibility in schedule as the job can frequently take place during non-business hours. But it is also a dynamic position as the time Coles nightfill and the hours Coles nightfill work will vary according to the size of the store and its location and operational requirements.
Nightfill shifts will be set up to take place when the stores are unoccupied or under-occupied and this will enable the workers to effectively refill their stocks. This is consistent with the fact that Coles is striving towards the primary goal of ensuring smooth shopping as stipulated by their operations model. For more on retail operations, see Retail.
Typical Nightfill Hours at Coles
The question of what time is Coles nightfill doesn’t have a universal answer, as schedules are store-dependent. However, based on employee experiences shared on platforms like Reddit and Indeed, common nightfill hours include:
- Evening Shifts: Most Coles stores schedule nightfill shifts starting between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, ending around 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM. For example, a typical shift might be 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM or 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM. These hours are common in urban stores where trading hours extend to 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM.
- Overnight Shifts: In larger stores or those with 24-hour operations, nightfill may start later, such as 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM or 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM. These shifts often include penalty rates (e.g., 1.5x or 1.75x pay) for hours worked after 6:00 PM or midnight, as per the Coles 2024 Enterprise Agreement.
- Morning/Dawn Fill: Some stores, particularly in regional areas or where deliveries arrive later, schedule “dawn fill” shifts from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. This is less common but occurs when logistics dictate morning restocking.
These timings depend on factors like store closing times, delivery schedules, and staffing needs. For instance, stores closing earlier on weekends (e.g., 5:00 PM) may start nightfill sooner. For more on shift work, see Shift Work.
Factors Influencing Nightfill Hours
Several variables determine what time is Coles nightfill at a specific store:
- Store Size and Location: Larger stores in metropolitan areas, like those in Melbourne or Sydney, may have longer shifts (e.g., 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM) due to higher stock volumes. Smaller regional stores might have shorter shifts, such as 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
- Delivery Schedules: The arrival time of grocery deliveries, known as “the load,” affects shift start times. If deliveries arrive post-3:00 PM, stores may opt for dawn fill or later evening shifts.
- Store Trading Hours: Coles stores with extended hours (e.g., closing at 10:00 PM) typically start nightfill after closing to avoid customer interference. Stores closing earlier may begin nightfill at 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM.
- Staff Availability and Contracts: Casual workers often receive shorter shifts (e.g., 3-4 hours), while part-time or experienced staff may work longer hours, up to 8 hours. Rosters can vary, with some employees reporting shifts as short as 3 hours or as long as 9 hours, depending on demand.
Challenges and Expectations of Nightfill Shifts
Nightfill shifts are also physically demanding where employees are required to unpack about 50-65 cartons per hour as observed in employee reviews at glassdoor. Overtime or work beyond assigned hours, which can result from late, raided or busy nights, or because the size of the delivery was underestimated, may demand staying beyond the scheduled hours, and may include no extra payment unless penalty rates are involved. Job conditions are diverse; it is reported by some employees as a game atmosphere at work or derailing management, unreasonable demands, creating high pressure especially when the team is short-staffed.
For those asking what time is Coles nightfill, it’s also worth considering the role’s demands. Workers may need to crush cardboard, organize aisles, and occasionally interact with customers if shifts start before closing. Despite challenges, nightfill offers flexibility, making it ideal for students or those with daytime commitments. For insights into workplace dynamics, see Workplace Culture.
How to Find Out Specific Nightfill Hours
To determine what time is Coles nightfill at your local store, try these steps:
- Check Coles Careers: Visit Coles Careers to view job listings, which often include shift details. Search for “Nightfill Team Member” positions in your area.
- Contact the Store: Call or visit your local Coles store and speak to the manager. In-person inquiries with a resume can increase your chances of securing a role, as noted in forums like Whirlpool.
- Join Online Communities: Platforms like Reddit’s r/coles or Indeed have discussions where employees share shift times. For example, a Reddit thread from March 2025 mentioned shifts like 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM or 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM, depending on the store.
- Apply and Inquire: Submit an Expression of Interest via Coles’ careers portal. During the interview, ask about specific hours, as managers can clarify based on store needs.
Tips for Nightfill Workers
If you’re considering a nightfill role, here are some tips to succeed:
- Be Prepared for Flexibility: Shifts can vary weekly, and casual workers may be called in with short notice. Accepting extra shifts can lead to more hours, as reported by a Coles employee who increased from 15 to 30 hours weekly.
- Stay Physically Fit: The role involves lifting and moving stock, so physical stamina is key. Highlight fitness in job applications, as suggested in a Reddit post.
- Understand Penalty Rates: Shifts after 6:00 PM or on weekends often include higher pay rates, making nightfill financially appealing for some.
- Network for Opportunities: Engaging with colleagues can lead to additional opportunities, as one employee found a day job through a nightfill connection.
Conclusion
What time is Coles nightfill is an important question that must be understood by aspiring workers as well as individuals interested in the process of supermarkets. Most of the shifts are between 6:00 PM and 1:00 AM but may all vary on the basis of overnight and dawn fill according to the store needs. Factors such as size of store, delivery schedules and trading hours can affect the timings, so it is imperative that one inquires with particular stores or online resources. Nightfill has a mix of good hours, penalty rates, physical demand and variable schedules. By looking into the careers site of Coles, getting in touch with stores directly or going to online communities, you will have a better picture of the timing of the shifts and get ready to play an effective role within the retail setting that is highly changing and vibrant.