Minimum pay rates for local government workers in Australia under the Local Government Award. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Local Government Industry Award 2020 (MA000112)
$27.11
Base rate/hr
$33.89
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for local government workers is $27.11/hr under the Local Government Award. Casuals receive $33.89/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Council workers, parks and gardens staff, library assistants, and local government administration officers are covered by the Local Government Industry Award. Whether you're maintaining roads, working at the tip, or running community programs, the award sets your minimum pay.
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Local Government Level 1 | $27.11 | $33.89 | $53,569.36 |
| Level 2 | Local Government Level 2 | $27.97 | $34.96 | $55,268.72 |
| Level 3 | Local Government Level 3 | $29.03 | $36.29 | $57,363.28 |
| Level 4 | Local Government Level 4 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $58,193.20 |
| Level 5 | Local Government Level 5 | $31.30 | $39.13 | $61,848.80 |
| Level 6 | Local Government Level 6 | $33.87 | $42.34 | $66,927.12 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the Local Government Industry 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.11 | +$6.78 | $33.89 |
| Level 2 | $27.97 | +$6.99 | $34.96 |
| Level 3 | $29.03 | +$7.26 | $36.29 |
| Level 4 | $29.45 | +$7.36 | $36.81 |
| Level 5 | $31.30 | +$7.83 | $39.13 |
| Level 6 | $33.87 | +$8.47 | $42.34 |
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $27.11/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$40.67/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$54.22/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$67.78/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $40.67/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $54.22/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $67.78/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $40.67/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $54.22/hr |
View the complete Local Government Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Local Government Award Pay Rates →If your payslip shows less than $27.11/hr (or $33.89/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in local government. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →The minimum base rate for local government workers is $27.11/hr (Level 1) under the Local Government Industry Award. Casual workers receive $33.89/hr. A Level 5 officer earns $31.30/hr base.
Yes. Saturday pays 1.5x, Sunday pays 2.0x, and public holidays pay 2.5x your base rate. Shift workers also receive afternoon and night shift loadings of 15% and 17.5% respectively.
Levels range from Level 1 (entry-level outdoor workers, $27.11/hr) through to Level 12 and above for senior professional and management roles. Most outdoor workers are Level 2-4. Qualified professionals start at Level 5 or above.
Most larger councils operate under enterprise agreements that pay above the award. The award acts as a safety net — your employer can never pay you less than the award rate, even if you're on an EA. Smaller councils and contractors are more likely to be award-reliant.
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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.
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