MA000073Food Manufacturing
Food & Beverage Manufacturing Award
Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020
Who does this award cover?
The Food & Beverage Manufacturing Award covers employees working in food manufacturing, including the following common roles:
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Base (per hour) | Casual (+25%) | Weekly (38h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Beverage Level 1 | $25.74 | $32.18 | $978.12 |
| Food & Beverage Level 2 | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1004.72 |
| Food & Beverage Level 3 | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1029.04 |
| Food & Beverage Level 4 | $27.97 | $34.96 | $1062.86 |
| Food & Beverage Level 5 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1119.10 |
Get plain-English answers on the Food & Beverage Manufacturing Award
Answers grounded on the full MA000073 document — every clause, variation, and classification. Pro is $29.99/mo, cancel anytime.
Penalty rates
How casual overtime is calculated
One of the most common payroll questions under the Food & Beverage Manufacturing 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 Food & Beverage Manufacturing Award
Unresolved — award drafting is ambiguous or we have not verified
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 | $27.08 × 175% | $47.39 |
| Compounded | $33.85 × 150% | $50.77 |
| Separate | $27.08 × 150% | $40.62 |
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 |
More on the Food & Beverage Manufacturing Award
Food & Beverage Manufacturing Award pay rates 2026-27
Every classification, junior and casual rate, penalty table and rate calculator.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in food manufacturing
- Saputo Dairy Australia Pty Ltd (Smithton) Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Lactalis Australia Pty Ltd Clarence Gardens - United Workers Union Enterprise Agreement – 2026-
- Bega Penrith Reliability (Mechanical Fitters) Enterprise Agreement 2025
- Tip Top WA Operations & Merchandisers Enterprise Agreement 2025
- GOODMAN FIELDER BAKING (CANBERRA) AND UNITED WORKERS UNION ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2025 - 2027
- Tek Foods and United Workers Union Enterprise Agreement 2025
Employer pay guides under the Food & Beverage Manufacturing Award
Food & Beverage Manufacturing Award enforcement cases
Want the full MA000073 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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