MA000002Office / Clerical
Clerks Award
Clerks — Private Sector Award 2020
Who does this award cover?
The Clerks Award covers employees working in office / clerical, including the following common roles:
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Base (per hour) | Casual (+25%) | Weekly (38h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerical Level 1 | $26.97 | $33.71 | $1024.86 |
| Clerical Level 2 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1119.10 |
| Clerical Level 3 | $31.11 | $38.89 | $1182.18 |
| Clerical Level 4 | $32.67 | $40.84 | $1241.46 |
| Clerical Level 5 | $33.99 | $42.49 | $1291.62 |
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Penalty rates
How casual overtime is calculated
One of the most common payroll questions under the Clerks Award: when a casual works overtime or weekend hours, does the 1.5× or 2× multiplier apply to the base rate, or to the 25%-loaded casual rate? The answer depends on how the award is drafted.
Method for the Clerks Award
Additive — penalty % + 25% loading applied to the base rate
Table 5 states overtime rates for casuals are calculated by adding the 25% loading (clause 11.1) to the overtime rates in clause 21.4(a).
| Method | Calculation | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Additive (used by this award) | $31.11 × 175% | $54.44 |
| Compounded | $38.89 × 150% | $58.33 |
| Separate | $31.11 × 150% | $46.67 |
Break entitlements
| Shift length | Meal break | Rest break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | — | — | No |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | — | No |
| 7.6–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
More on the Clerks Award
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This page covers the headline rates, penalties, and break rules. The full award has dozens more clauses: allowances, overtime formulas, rostering rules, dispute procedures, and classification descriptors. FairWork Mate answers plain-English questions grounded on every clause, with a citation back to the award on every answer.
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