# 26 March 2026 Source: https://docs.astalty.com.au/training-and-updates/changelog/march-2026/26-march-2026 > Astalty updates released on 26 March 2026: Active Overnight Periods (Beta); Custom Tag Colours; Shift Alerts Banner; Improved Document Selection in User... ## Active Overnight Periods (Beta) We've introduced **Active Overnight Periods** to better capture and manage situations where a Support Worker is woken during a sleepover shift. This enhancement ensures greater accuracy across **time tracking, approvals, payroll, and billing**, while keeping workflows simple for both Support Workers and schedulers. ### Key Features **Active Overnight Period Recording (App)** - Support Workers can now log periods where they are **awake and providing support during a sleepover** - Each period can include: - Start and end times - A reason for the disturbance - Optional evidence (e.g. photos) - Multiple periods can be recorded within a single shift - Workers are prompted to **end any active period before clocking out** ![The Add Active Overnight Period screen showing the Shift window, with the Start Time, Set end time checkbox, Reason and Evidence Gallery and Camera fields highlighted, and an arrow pointing to the Add Period button.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/active-overnight-app-3.png) **Scheduler Review & Management** - Active overnight periods are visible within: - The **shift view**, and - **Shift Approvals** - Schedulers can review, edit, and approve each period - Additional periods can also be added by schedulers if required ![The Active Overnight Periods dialog listing two periods for a Participant with Time, Duration, Reason and Evidence columns, a total active time of 1h 15m, and an Add Active Overnight Period button.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/active-overnights-11.png) **Auto-Approval Controls** - New setting in **Scheduling Settings** to define an **active overnight auto-approval threshold** - Periods within the threshold can be **automatically approved** - Periods exceeding the threshold are flagged for **manual review** ![The Auto Approval section of the Scheduling Settings form with Auto selected and the Active Overnight Threshold Max duration set to 30 minutes highlighted. An arrow points to the Update button.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/active-overnights-2.png) **Enhanced Shift Approval Workflow** - Active overnight periods are now part of the standard approval process - A shift is only considered **fully reviewed** once each of the following has been approved (where applicable): - Hours - Travel - Active Overnight Periods ![The Active Overnight Periods card in Shift Approvals listing two periods for a Participant. A 45 min period shows a Pending status with an Approve button, and a 30 min period shows an Approved status.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/active-overnights-4.png) ### Payroll & Billing Overview This feature aligns with SCHADS Award requirements and NDIS pricing rules: - The **sleepover allowance includes up to 2 hours** of active overnight support - Any time **beyond 2 hours** is: - Paid to workers as **overtime**, and - Charged separately in line with NDIS rules **NDIS Charging Rules:** - First 2 hours - included in the sleepover allowance - Additional time: - Weekdays - charged at **Saturday rates** - Saturday - **Saturday rates** - Sunday - **Sunday rates** - Public Holidays - **Public Holiday rates** ### Beta Notes - This feature is currently in **beta** and may continue to evolve - To be part of the beta testing for this feature, please reach out to For more information, visit the following guides: - [Adding a Sleepover or Active Overnight Support](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/scheduling/adding-shifts/creating-a-sleepover-or-active-overnight-support#managing-active-overnight-periods) - [Adding an Active Overnight Period in the App](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/scheduling/support-worker-app/during-a-shift/adding-an-active-overnight-period-in-the-app) ## Custom Tag Colours We've introduced custom colour selection for Tags, allowing users to assign colours using RGB, HSL, or HEX values. This update improves visibility and organisation, especially in environments where multiple Tags are used across the organisation. By enabling distinct, consistent colour-coding, users can more easily differentiate between categories, quickly identify relevant items, and reduce visual clutter when scanning large sets of tagged content. ![The Edit Tag dialog with the colour selector open beside the + swatch, and the R, G and B fields highlighted at the bottom of the selector, set to 0, 68 and 117.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/tag-rgb-1.png) For more information, visit the following guides: - [Participant Tags](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/participants/profile/participant-tags) - [Organisation Tags](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/directory/organisations/organisation-tags) - [Plan Manager Tags](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/directory/plan-managers/plan-manager-tag) ## Shift Alerts Banner A new Shift Alerts banner has been introduced to the **Shift Approvals** page, providing greater visibility of shifts requiring attention within the selected date range. This banner displays a clear, red notification indicating the number of outstanding Shift Alerts and allows users to quickly navigate directly to them. By surfacing these alerts within the approvals workflow, users can more easily identify incomplete or problematic shifts - such as those missing clock-in/out times or requiring follow-up - before proceeding with approvals. This enhancement significantly improves the efficiency and accuracy of payroll and invoice processing by reducing the risk of missed issues, minimising delays, and ensuring all required shifts are reviewed and resolved in a timely manner. ![The Shift Approvals page with a red banner highlighted above the shift list, reading There are 5 unresolved shift alerts in this date range, and an arrow on its View Shift Alerts button.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/shift-approvals-1a.png) For more information, visit the [Shift Approvals](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/scheduling/shift-approvals) guide. ## Improved Document Selection in User Records Users can now select from existing documents stored in a user's profile when creating a Record, in addition to uploading new files. This enhancement streamlines the process by allowing previously uploaded documents to be reused without needing to upload them again. ![The Add User Record drawer with First Aid Certificate as the Record Type, the Record Details and Documents sections highlighted, signing set to Yes with No for sending immediately, and an arrow to Create Record.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/user-records-2a.png) For more information, visit the [User Records](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/settings/users-settings/user-records) guide. ## Plan Change Notifications Users can now notify **Primary Coordinators** and **Service Coordinators** when updates are made to an existing NDIS Plan. Selected recipients will receive an email notification outlining the changes, with a **‘View Plan’** link that allows them to quickly navigate directly to the updated NDIS Plan page. ![The Update Plan drawer with the Plan Dates, Is this a PACE Plan?, Documents and Notifications sections highlighted, including the Notify Primary Coordinator and Notify Service Coordinators checkboxes, and an arrow pointing to Update.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/edit-plan-2.png) For more information, visit the [NDIS Plan](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/participants/ndis-plan) guide. ## Default Content for Information Items You can set default content for Information Items to reduce repetitive data entry when adding information to Participants. When configured, the default content will automatically pre-populate when a user selects that Information Item on a Participant profile. ### To configure default content 1. Go to **Settings** 2. Select **Participants** 3. Create a new information item or edit an existing one 4. Enter content in the **Default Content** field 5. Save your changes ### How it works - When adding an Information Item to a Participant, the default content will be automatically pre-filled - Users can edit or update the content before saving if required ### Notes - Default content is optional and can be left blank - Updating the default content will apply to future entries, not existing ones ![Participant settings, reached from the highlighted Settings and Participants menu items, with the Information Items list showing the Create Information Item button and the Edit option in an item's three-dot menu highlighted.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/cleanshot-2026-03-26-at-16.08.38@2x.png) ![The Update Information Item drawer for a Goals item, with the Default Content editor highlighted holding headings for short-term goals, long-term goals and how progress will be measured, and the Update button highlighted.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/cleanshot-defaultinfoitem.png) For more information, visit the [Information Items](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/participants/profile/information-items) guide. ## Undo Shift Approvals This update introduces the ability to easily undo shift approvals, giving users greater control and flexibility when managing approvals. If a shift has been approved in error, users can now quickly remove approvals directly from the **Shift Approvals** page without needing additional support or workarounds. By enabling both full and individual approval removal, this improvement streamlines the correction process and reduces the risk of delays before invoicing or timesheet batching. Clear visibility of system limitations also ensures users understand when approvals can no longer be modified. ![The Shift Approval Details page for a Reviewed shift, with the Delete All Approvals button highlighted at the top and arrows on the red bin icon beside each Approved status for shift hours and travel.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/delete-shift-approvals-1.png) For more information, visit the [Shift Approvals](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/scheduling/shift-approvals) guide.