Graphic Arts Award Pay Rates 2025-26
All pay rates under the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award 2020 (MA000026) for 2025-26, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Graphic Arts Award
MA000026 · Printing & Publishing
Common roles: Graphic designer, Printer, Print finisher, Pre-press operator, Bookbinder
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
Classification Pay Rates — Graphic Arts Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $915.80 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | $25.08 | $31.35 | $953.04 | $49,558.08 |
| Level 3 | $26.04 | $32.55 | $989.52 | $51,455.04 |
| Level 4 | $27.34 | $34.18 | $1,038.92 | $54,023.84 |
| Level 5 | $28.81 | $36.01 | $1,094.78 | $56,928.56 |
Penalty Rates — Graphic Arts Award
Saturday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
Afternoon Shift
$27.72/hr
1.15x base
Night Shift
$31.33/hr
1.3x 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 — 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 | $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 |
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Graphic Arts Award pay rate for 2025-26?
Under the Graphic Arts Award (MA000026), 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 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 $48.20/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 $60.25/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.
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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