Building Award Pay Rates 2025-26
All pay rates under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020) for 2025-26, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Building Award
MA000020 · Construction
Common roles: Labourer, Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, Site supervisor
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
Classification Pay Rates — Building Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $915.80 | $47,621.60 |
| CW2 | $25.10 | $31.38 | $953.80 | $49,597.60 |
| CW3 | $26.83 | $33.54 | $1,019.54 | $53,016.08 |
| CW4 | $28.36 | $35.45 | $1,077.68 | $56,039.36 |
| CW5 | $29.64 | $37.05 | $1,126.32 | $58,568.64 |
| CW6 | $31.07 | $38.84 | $1,180.66 | $61,394.32 |
| CW7 | $32.82 | $41.03 | $1,247.16 | $64,852.32 |
| CW8 | $34.27 | $42.84 | $1,302.26 | $67,717.52 |
Penalty Rates — Building Award
Saturday (first 2 hours)
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Saturday (after 2 hours)
$48.20/hr
2x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$48.20/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($24.10/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
Break Rules — Building Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–8 hours | 30 min | None | No |
| 8–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $54.23/hr |
| Retail Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $60.25/hr |
| Clerks Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Building Award pay rate for 2025-26?
Under the Building Award (MA000020), the Level 1 base rate is $24.10/hr from 1 July 2025. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $30.13/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Building Award?
Permanent employees under the Building Award receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $48.20/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Building Award?
Public holiday work under the Building Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $60.25/hr.
Who is covered by the Building Award?
The Building Award covers employees in the construction industry. Common job titles include Labourer, Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, Site supervisor, Bricklayer, Painter.
General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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