Carpenter Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Carpenters earn at least $29.45/hr (CW/ECW 3), $36.81/hr casual — about $1,119 a week full-time — under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Every classification level, penalty rates below.
Carpenter Pay Rate
Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020)
Carpenters construct, install, and repair structures and fixtures made of wood and other materials on building and construction sites.
$29.45
Base rate/hr
$36.81
Casual rate/hr
$29.45
$36.81
$1,119.10
$58,193.20
What Award Covers Carpenters?
Carpenters in Australia are generally covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.
Some carpenters may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).
View full Building and Construction General On-site Award pay rates →
Carpenter Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW/ECW 3 | Carpenter (trade-qualified tradesperson) | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
| CW/ECW 4 | Tradesperson with additional structured training | $30.38 | $37.98 | $1,154.44 | $60,030.88 |
| CW/ECW 5 | Special class tradesperson | $31.31 | $39.14 | $1,189.78 | $61,868.56 |
| CW/ECW 6 | Special class tradesperson level II | $32.14 | $40.18 | $1,221.32 | $63,508.64 |
Casual Carpenter Pay Rate
Casual carpenters receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $29.45/hr to $36.81/hr.
The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual carpenter working 38 hours per week would earn $72,736.56 (before tax and penalty rates).
From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →
Part-Time Carpenter Pay Rate
Part-time carpenters receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($29.45/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.
Carpenter Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when carpenters work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for CW/ECW 3 permanent employees ($29.45/hr base).
$44.18/hr
$58.90/hr
$73.63/hr
Am I Being Underpaid as a Carpenter?
Construction industry workers are entitled to various allowances (tool allowance, travel allowance, height money) in addition to their base rate. Check your payslip includes these where applicable.
If you earn less than $29.45/hr as a full-time or part-time carpenter, or less than $36.81/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
Compare with Similar Roles
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $29.45/hr | $36.81/hr | $58,193.20 | MA000020 |
| Site Supervisor | $31.31/hr | $39.14/hr | $61,868.56 | MA000020 |
| Concreter | $29.45/hr | $36.81/hr | $58,193.20 | MA000020 |
| Painter | $29.45/hr | $36.81/hr | $58,193.20 | MA000020 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
More on the Building Award
Building Award (MA000020) overview
Coverage, penalty rates, casual overtime method and break rules.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in construction
- Terrex Group Field Crew Enterprise Agreement 2025
- Complex Facade Install Pty Ltd / CFMEU South Australia Greenfields Agreement 2026
- Civilmart Mittagong Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Built Ptd Ltd / CFMEU South Australia Enterprise Agreement 2026
- BESIX Watpac / CFMEU South Australia Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Boyle Civil Contracting Perdaman Ceres Project Greenfields Agreement 2024
Employer pay guides under the Building Award
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a carpenter get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a carpenter in Australia is $29.45/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $36.81/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
What is the minimum wage for a carpenter?
Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), the minimum wage for a carpenter starts at $29.45/hr (CW/ECW 3 adult rate). This equates to $1,119.10/week or $58,193.20/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
What award covers carpenters?
Carpenters in Australia are generally covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some carpenters may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a carpenter?
A casual carpenter receives $36.81/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $29.45/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a carpenter?
Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, carpenters receive: Saturday 1.5x ($44.18/hr), Sunday 2x ($58.90/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($73.63/hr) at CW/ECW 3 rates.
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