Graphic Arts Award Pay Rates 2026-27
All pay rates under the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award 2020 (MA000026) for 2026-27, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 19 July 2026Graphic Arts Award
MA000026 · Printing & Publishing
Common roles: Graphic designer, Printer, Print finisher, Pre-press operator, Bookbinder
$25.74
Base rate/hr
$32.18
Casual rate/hr
Know someone covered by the Graphic Arts Award?
Classification Pay Rates — Graphic Arts Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $25.74 | $32.18 | $978.12 | $50,862.24 |
| Level 2 | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.72 | $52,245.44 |
| Level 3 | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1,029.04 | $53,510.08 |
| Level 4 | $27.97 | $34.96 | $1,062.86 | $55,268.72 |
| Level 5 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
Penalty Rates — Graphic Arts Award
Saturday
$38.61/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$51.48/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$64.35/hr
2.5x base
Afternoon Shift
$29.60/hr
1.15x base
Night Shift
$33.46/hr
1.3x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$38.61/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$51.48/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($25.74/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
Break Rules — Graphic Arts Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | None | No |
| 7.6–10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Arts Award | $25.74/hr | $32.18/hr | $51.48/hr | $64.35/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr | $59.49/hr |
| Retail Award | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $41.71/hr | $69.52/hr |
| Clerks Award | $26.97/hr | $33.71/hr | $53.94/hr | $67.43/hr |
| Building Award | $26.67/hr | $33.34/hr | $53.34/hr | $66.68/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Graphic Arts Award pay rate for 2026-27?
Under the Graphic Arts Award (MA000026), the Level 1 base rate is $25.74/hr from 1 July 2026. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $32.18/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Graphic Arts Award?
Permanent employees under the Graphic Arts Award receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $51.48/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Graphic Arts Award?
Public holiday work under the Graphic Arts Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $64.35/hr.
Who is covered by the Graphic Arts Award?
The Graphic Arts Award covers employees in the printing & publishing industry. Common job titles include Graphic designer, Printer, Print finisher, Pre-press operator, Bookbinder, Digital printer.
FairWork Mate AI
Is the figure right for you?
The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.
Just need today sorted? A Day Pass is 25 questions over 24 hours, no account. Get a Day Pass — $4.99
Get pay and rights updates for your job
Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.
Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
Embed the Graphic Arts Award Pay Rates 2026-27 on your site, free. Get the code →