Graphic Arts Pay Rates 2025-26
Minimum pay rates for graphic arts workers in Australia under the Graphic Arts Award. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Graphic Arts Minimum Pay Rate
Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award 2020 (MA000026)
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for graphic arts workers is $24.10/hr under the Graphic Arts Award. Casuals receive $30.13/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2025.
Printers, print finishers, pre-press operators, and graphic arts production workers are covered by the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award. This covers commercial printing, digital printing, packaging production, and related manufacturing. Shift work is standard in larger print operations.
Graphic Arts Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Graphic Arts Level 1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | Graphic Arts Level 2 | $25.08 | $31.35 | $49,558.08 |
| Level 3 | Graphic Arts Level 3 | $26.04 | $32.55 | $51,455.04 |
| Level 4 | Graphic Arts Level 4 | $27.34 | $34.18 | $54,023.84 |
| Level 5 | Graphic Arts Level 5 | $28.81 | $36.01 | $56,928.56 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual Graphic Arts Pay Rates
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $24.10 | +$6.03 | $30.13 |
| Level 2 | $25.08 | +$6.27 | $31.35 |
| Level 3 | $26.04 | +$6.51 | $32.55 |
| Level 4 | $27.34 | +$6.84 | $34.18 |
| Level 5 | $28.81 | +$7.20 | $36.01 |
Graphic Arts Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $24.10/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $48.20/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $60.25/hr |
| Afternoon Shift | 1.15x | $27.72/hr |
| Night Shift | 1.3x | $31.33/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $48.20/hr |
Full Graphic Arts Award Details
View the complete Graphic Arts Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Graphic Arts Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
If your payslip shows less than $24.10/hr (or $30.13/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in graphic arts. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Pay Rates by Industry
Graphic Arts Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for graphic arts workers in 2026?
The minimum base rate for graphic arts workers is $24.10/hr (Level 1) under the Graphic Arts Award. Casual workers receive $30.13/hr. Qualified tradespeople at Level 5 earn around $27.10/hr base.
What shift loadings apply in graphic arts?
Afternoon shifts attract a 15% loading and night shifts get 30%. Permanent night shift workers get a 33% loading. Saturday pays 1.5x, Sunday is 2.0x, and public holidays pay 2.5x.
What are the classification levels in the Graphic Arts Award?
Levels run from 1 to 7. Level 1 covers general hands ($24.10/hr). Level 3 covers machine operators. Level 5 covers qualified tradespeople ($27.10/hr). Level 7 covers advanced technical specialists and supervisors.
Do graphic arts workers get penalty rates on weekends?
Yes. Saturday pays 1.5x for the first 2 hours and 2.0x after that. Sunday is 2.0x all day. Public holidays pay 2.5x. These penalties apply on top of your base rate regardless of whether you're full-time, part-time, or casual.
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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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