Electrical Award
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020
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Who does this award cover?
The Electrical Award covers employees working in electrical, including the following common roles:
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Base (per hour) | Casual (+25%) | Weekly (38h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Worker Grade 1 | $24.95 | $31.19 | $948.10 |
| Electrical Worker Grade 2 | $25.41 | $31.76 | $965.58 |
| Electrical Worker Grade 3 | $27.10 | $33.88 | $1029.80 |
| Electrical Worker Grade 4 | $28.81 | $36.01 | $1094.78 |
| Electrical Worker Grade 5 | $30.63 | $38.29 | $1163.94 |
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.
Penalty rates
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.
| Method | Calculation | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Additive | $27.10 × 175% | $47.43 |
| Compounded | $33.88 × 150% | $50.81 |
| Separate | $27.10 × 150% | $40.65 |
Worked example: casual Grade 3 (base $27.10/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 length | Meal break | Rest break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | — | — | No |
| 5–8 hours | 30 min | — | No |
| 8–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
Electrical Award enforcement cases
Real Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, and FWO outcomes citing this award.
Application by Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (128V)
Application by Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (128V)
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 AI answers plain-English questions grounded on every clause. The Business API returns structured data for payroll and HR systems.
Question about the Electrical Award?
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