Mining Pay Rates 2026-27
Minimum pay rates for mining workers in Australia under the Building Award: $26.67/hr at Level 1, $33.34/hr casual, every classification level, penalty rates. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Mining Minimum Pay Rate
Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020)
$26.67
Base rate/hr
$33.34
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for mining workers is $26.67/hr under the Building Award. Casuals receive $33.34/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Many mining and quarry workers fall under the Building and Construction General On-site Award, particularly those involved in construction, maintenance, and civil works at mine sites. Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) and remote work arrangements are common, and the award includes provisions for site allowances and travel.
Mining Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW/ECW 1 (a) | Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) — level a (new entrant) | $26.67 | $33.34 | $52,699.92 |
| CW/ECW 1 (b) | Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) — level b (after 3 months in the industry) | $27.20 | $34.00 | $53,747.20 |
| CW/ECW 1 (c) | Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) — level c (after 12 months in the industry) | $27.56 | $34.45 | $54,458.56 |
| CW/ECW 1 (d) | Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) — level d (competent construction worker 1) | $28.05 | $35.06 | $55,426.80 |
| CW/ECW 2 | Level 2 (CW/ECW 2) | $28.62 | $35.78 | $56,553.12 |
| CW/ECW 3 | Level 3 (CW/ECW 3) — trade level | $29.45 | $36.81 | $58,193.20 |
| CW/ECW 4 | Level 4 (CW/ECW 4) | $30.38 | $37.98 | $60,030.88 |
| CW/ECW 5 | Level 5 (CW/ECW 5) | $31.31 | $39.14 | $61,868.56 |
| CW/ECW 6 | Level 6 (CW/ECW 6) | $32.14 | $40.18 | $63,508.64 |
| CW/ECW 7 | Level 7 (CW/ECW 7) | $33.06 | $41.33 | $65,326.56 |
| CW/ECW 8 | Level 8 (CW/ECW 8) | $33.86 | $42.33 | $66,907.36 |
| ECW 9 | Level 9 (ECW 9) | $34.46 | $43.08 | $68,092.96 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual Mining 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CW/ECW 1 (a) | $26.67 | +$6.67 | $33.34 |
| CW/ECW 1 (b) | $27.20 | +$6.80 | $34.00 |
| CW/ECW 1 (c) | $27.56 | +$6.89 | $34.45 |
| CW/ECW 1 (d) | $28.05 | +$7.01 | $35.06 |
| CW/ECW 2 | $28.62 | +$7.16 | $35.78 |
| CW/ECW 3 | $29.45 | +$7.36 | $36.81 |
| CW/ECW 4 | $30.38 | +$7.60 | $37.98 |
| CW/ECW 5 | $31.31 | +$7.83 | $39.14 |
| CW/ECW 6 | $32.14 | +$8.04 | $40.18 |
| CW/ECW 7 | $33.06 | +$8.27 | $41.33 |
| CW/ECW 8 | $33.86 | +$8.47 | $42.33 |
| ECW 9 | $34.46 | +$8.62 | $43.08 |
Mining Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $26.67/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday (first 2 hours)
$40.01/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$53.34/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$66.68/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $40.01/hr |
| Saturday (after 2 hours, or any work after 12 noon) | 2x | $53.34/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $53.34/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $66.68/hr |
| Overtime Mon–Fri (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $40.01/hr |
| Overtime Mon–Fri (after 2 hours) | 2x | $53.34/hr |
| Afternoon, night or early morning shift (5 consecutive shifts Mon–Fri) | 1.5x | $40.01/hr |
| Morning or early afternoon shift (5 consecutive shifts Mon–Fri) | 1.25x | $33.34/hr |
Full Building Award Details
View the complete Building Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Building Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
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Mining Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for mining workers under the Building Award in 2026?
The minimum base rate is $26.67/hr (CW1) under the Building and Construction Award. Qualified tradespeople at CW5 earn $31.05/hr. In practice, most mining employers pay well above award rates due to remote location and the demanding nature of the work.
Do mining workers get site and remote allowances?
Yes. Workers at remote or isolated sites are entitled to district allowances, site allowances, and travel provisions under the award. FIFO workers also have entitlements to accommodation and meal provisions while on site.
What penalty rates apply to mining and construction workers?
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. Overtime during the week is 1.5x for the first 2 hours, then double time.
Are mining workers often on enterprise agreements instead of the award?
Yes. The vast majority of mining workers are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts that pay significantly above award rates. However, the award still acts as the minimum safety net. If your EA is terminated or expires, you revert to award conditions.
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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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