Minimum pay rates for plumbers under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 (MA000036)
Plumbers install, maintain, and repair water, gas, and drainage systems in buildings and infrastructure. A trade licence is required.
$31.63
Base rate/hr
$39.54
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$31.63
Hourly (Casual)
$39.54
Weekly (38hrs)
$1,201.94
Annual (Full-Time)
$62,500.88
Plumbers in Australia are generally covered by the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 (MA000036). 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 plumbers 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).
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PW3 | Plumbing worker (general) | $29.26 | $36.58 | $1,111.88 | $57,817.76 |
| PW4 | Plumber (tradesperson) | $31.63 | $39.54 | $1,201.94 | $62,500.88 |
| PW5 | Advanced tradesperson | $35.24 | $44.05 | $1,339.12 | $69,634.24 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual plumbers receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $31.63/hr to $39.54/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 plumber working 38 hours per week would earn $78,131.04 (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 plumbers receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($31.63/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.
Penalty rates apply when plumbers work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($31.63/hr base).
Saturday
$47.45/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$63.26/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$79.08/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
Qualified plumbers should be classified at PW4 or above. If you hold a trade qualification and are being paid below this level, you may be underpaid.
If you earn less than $31.63/hr as a full-time or part-time plumber, or less than $39.54/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $31.63/hr | $39.54/hr | $62,500.88 | MA000036 |
| Retail Worker | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000004 |
| Barista | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
| Waiter | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
The minimum hourly rate for a plumber in Australia is $31.63/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $39.54/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
Under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 (MA000036), the minimum wage for a plumber starts at $31.63/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $1,201.94/week or $62,500.88/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
Plumbers in Australia are generally covered by the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 (MA000036). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some plumbers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
A casual plumber receives $39.54/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $31.63/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
Under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020, plumbers receive: Saturday 1.5x ($47.45/hr), Sunday 2x ($63.26/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($79.08/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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