Minimum pay rates for mining 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 mining workers is $24.95/hr under the Building Award. Casuals receive $31.19/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2025.
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.
| 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 mining. 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.
The minimum base rate is $24.95/hr (CW1) under the Building and Construction Award. Qualified tradespeople at CW5 earn $30.68/hr. In practice, most mining employers pay well above award rates due to remote location and the demanding nature of the work.
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.
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.
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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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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