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MA000025Electrical

Electrical Award

Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020

Who does this award cover?

The Electrical Award covers employees working in electrical, including the following common roles:

ElectricianElectrical apprenticeCable jointerCommunications technicianElectrical supervisorData cabler

Pay rates by classification

ClassificationBase (per hour)Casual (+25%)Weekly (38h)
Electrical Worker Grade 1$27.53$34.41$1046.14
Electrical Worker Grade 2$27.75$34.69$1054.50
Electrical Worker Grade 3$28.64$35.80$1088.32
Electrical Worker Grade 4$29.53$36.91$1122.14
Electrical Worker Grade 5$31.13$38.91$1182.94

Rates shown are hourly permanent (base) and casual (base + 25% loading). Always verify with the official FWC document — rates change annually on 1 July following the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review.

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Penalty rates

Saturday (first 2 hours)1.50×
Saturday (after 2 hours)2.00×
Sunday2.00×
Public Holiday2.50×
Overtime (first 2 hours)1.50×
Overtime (after 2 hours)2.00×

How casual overtime is calculated

One of the most common payroll questions under the Electrical 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 Electrical Award

Unresolved — award drafting is ambiguous or we have not verified

Source: — · Inferred from industry pay guides — verify edge cases via FWO PACT

We have not independently verified how this award treats the 25% casual loading when overtime or penalty rates apply. The three possible methods (additive / compounded / separate) can produce materially different pay outcomes. Check the award text at fwc.gov.au or use the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) for a definitive answer.

MethodCalculationHourly rate
Additive $28.64 × 175%$50.12
Compounded $35.80 × 150%$53.70
Separate $28.64 × 150%$42.96

Worked example: casual Grade 3 (base $28.64/hr), first block of overtime at 150%. Different awards produce different hourly rates from the same base because the 25% loading is applied differently.

Calculate casual overtime for any scenario →

Break entitlements

Shift lengthMeal breakRest breakPaid?
Up to 5 hours——No
5–8 hours30 min—No
8–10 hours30 min10 minYes
10+ hours60 min20 minYes

Electrical Award enforcement cases

Real Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, and FWO outcomes citing this award.

All decisions →

Want the full MA000025 document?

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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