MA000036Plumbing
Plumbing Award
Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020
Who does this award cover?
The Plumbing Award covers employees working in plumbing, including the following common roles:
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Base (per hour) | Casual (+25%) | Weekly (38h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Employee Level 1 | $27.97 | $34.96 | $1062.86 |
| Plumbing Employee Level 2 | $28.49 | $35.61 | $1082.62 |
| Plumbing Employee Level 3 | $28.85 | $36.06 | $1096.30 |
| Plumbing Employee Level 4 | $29.26 | $36.58 | $1111.88 |
| Plumbing Employee Level 5 | $31.63 | $39.54 | $1201.94 |
Get plain-English answers on the Plumbing Award
Answers grounded on the full MA000036 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 Plumbing 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 Plumbing 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 | $28.85 × 175% | $50.49 |
| Compounded | $36.06 × 150% | $54.09 |
| Separate | $28.85 × 150% | $43.28 |
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 Plumbing Award
Plumbing 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 plumbing
- Australian Hot Taps Pty Ltd and CEPU – Plumbing Division (Vic) Plumbing Enterprise Agreement 2024 – 2027
- Protect Fire Pty Ltd and CEPU – Plumbing Division (Vic) Fire Protection Enterprise Agreement 2024 – 2027
- IJBuild Holdings Pty Ltd and CEPU – Plumbing Division (Vic) Plumbing Enterprise Agreement 2024 – 2027
- O.P. INDUSTRIES PTY LTD PLUMBING MECHANICAL SERVICES ON SITE ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2025
- Premier HVAC Pty Ltd and CEPU Plumbing Division Mechanical Union Collective Agreement 2023 – 2026
- True Blue Installations Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division NSW Branch Mechanical (Sheetmetal) Enterprise Agreement 2025-2028
Want the full MA000036 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.
FairWork Mate AI
Not sure the Plumbing Award is the award that covers you?
“I think I'm covered by the Plumbing Award (MA000036). Is that the right award for my job, and what should I be paid?”
Coverage turns on what your business actually does, not your job title. The advisor checks your situation against the MA000036 coverage clause and the decisions that have tested it.
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Free alerts when the Plumbing Award pay rates are updated (annually on 1 July) or when the Fair Work Commission varies the award.