Factory Worker Pay Rate Australia 2026
Minimum pay rates for factory workers under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Factory Worker Pay Rate
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 (MA000010)
Factory workers operate machinery, assemble products, perform quality control checks, and maintain production lines in manufacturing facilities.
$24.73
Base rate/hr
$30.91
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$24.73
Hourly (Casual)
$30.91
Weekly (38hrs)
$939.74
Annual (Full-Time)
$48,866.48
What Award Covers Factory Workers?
Factory Workers in Australia are generally covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 (MA000010). 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 factory workers 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 Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award pay rates →
Factory Worker Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C14 | Production worker (entry) | $24.10 | $30.13 | $915.80 | $47,621.60 |
| C13 | Process worker (experienced) | $24.73 | $30.91 | $939.74 | $48,866.48 |
| C12 | Machine operator | $25.68 | $32.10 | $975.84 | $50,743.68 |
| C10 | Tradesperson (qualified) | $28.54 | $35.68 | $1,084.52 | $56,395.04 |
| C8 | Advanced tradesperson | $29.71 | $37.14 | $1,128.98 | $58,706.96 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Factory Worker Pay Rate
Casual factory workers receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $24.73/hr to $30.91/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 factory worker working 38 hours per week would earn $61,078.16 (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 Factory Worker Pay Rate
Part-time factory workers receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($24.73/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.
Junior Factory Worker Pay Rates
Junior rates: Under 16: 50%. 16 years: 60%. 17 years: 70%. 18 years: 80%. 19 years: 90%. 20 years: 100% of the adult rate.
Junior rates are a percentage of the full adult rate. They are designed to recognise that younger employees may have less experience and training.
Factory Worker Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when factory workers work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($24.73/hr base).
Saturday
$37.10/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$49.46/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$61.83/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
Am I Being Underpaid as a Factory Worker?
Factory workers on rotating shifts (morning, afternoon, night) should receive shift loadings in addition to their base rate. Check your payslip includes the correct shift penalties.
If you earn less than $24.73/hr as a full-time or part-time factory worker, or less than $30.91/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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factory Worker | $24.73/hr | $30.91/hr | $48,866.48 | MA000010 |
| Retail Worker | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000004 |
| Barista | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000009 |
| Waiter | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000009 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a factory worker get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a factory worker in Australia is $24.73/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $30.91/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations 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 factory worker?
Under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 (MA000010), the minimum wage for a factory worker starts at $24.73/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $939.74/week or $48,866.48/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $24.10/hr.
What award covers factory workers?
Factory Workers in Australia are generally covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 (MA000010). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some factory workers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a factory worker?
A casual factory worker receives $30.91/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $24.73/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a factory worker?
Under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, factory workers receive: Saturday 1.5x ($37.10/hr), Sunday 2x ($49.46/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($61.83/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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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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