Minimum pay rates for construction workers in Australia under the Building Award. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020)
$24.95
Base rate/hr
$31.19
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for construction workers is $24.95/hr under the Building Award. Casuals receive $31.19/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2025.
Construction workers are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award. Rates go from general labourers right up to advanced tradespeople. With overtime and Saturday work being standard on most sites, knowing your penalty rates is money in your pocket.
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW1 | CW/ECW Level 1 | $24.95 | $31.19 | $49,301.20 |
| CW2 | CW/ECW Level 2 | $25.10 | $31.38 | $49,597.60 |
| CW3 | CW/ECW Level 3 | $26.83 | $33.54 | $53,016.08 |
| CW4 | CW/ECW Level 4 | $28.36 | $35.45 | $56,039.36 |
| CW5 | CW/ECW Level 5 | $29.64 | $37.05 | $58,568.64 |
| CW6 | CW/ECW Level 6 | $31.07 | $38.84 | $61,394.32 |
| CW7 | CW/ECW Level 7 | $32.82 | $41.03 | $64,852.32 |
| CW8 | CW/ECW Level 8 | $34.27 | $42.84 | $67,717.52 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual workers get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. This compensates for no paid leave, no notice period, and no redundancy pay. Here's what that looks like for each level:
| Level | Base Rate | + 25% Loading | Casual Rate/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| CW1 | $24.95 | +$6.24 | $31.19 |
| CW2 | $25.10 | +$6.28 | $31.38 |
| CW3 | $26.83 | +$6.71 | $33.54 |
| CW4 | $28.36 | +$7.09 | $35.45 |
| CW5 | $29.64 | +$7.41 | $37.05 |
| CW6 | $31.07 | +$7.77 | $38.84 |
| CW7 | $32.82 | +$8.21 | $41.03 |
| CW8 | $34.27 | +$8.57 | $42.84 |
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $24.95/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday (first 2 hours)
$37.43/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$49.90/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$62.38/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $37.43/hr |
| Saturday (after 2 hours) | 2x | $49.90/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $49.90/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $62.38/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $37.43/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $49.90/hr |
View the complete Building Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Building Award Pay Rates →If your payslip shows less than $24.95/hr (or $31.19/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in construction. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Real Fair Work decisions and Federal Court penalties in this industry.
Penalty $9,324
Veens Group · Penalty $18,950
The minimum base rate for construction workers is $24.95/hr (CW1) under the Building and Construction Award. Qualified tradespeople at CW5 earn $29.64/hr. Advanced tradespeople at CW8 earn $34.27/hr.
Yes. The first 2 hours on Saturday are 1.5x ($36.15/hr for CW1), and anything after that is double time (2.0x). Sunday is double time all day. Public holidays pay 2.5x.
CW stands for Construction Worker. CW1 is an entry-level labourer. CW3 is a tradesperson (e.g. carpenter, bricklayer). CW5+ covers advanced trades and supervisory roles. Your level determines your minimum pay rate.
Many construction classifications attract allowances for tools, travel, and special conditions (heights, confined spaces, etc.). These are on top of your base rate. Check the Building Award for specifics.
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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is 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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