Meat Industry Award Pay Rates 2025-26
All pay rates under the Meat Industry Award 2020 (MA000033) for 2025-26, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Meat Industry Award
MA000033 · Meat Processing
Common roles: Meat worker, Butcher, Boner, Slicer, Meat packer
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
Classification Pay Rates — Meat Industry Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $915.80 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | $24.93 | $31.16 | $947.34 | $49,261.68 |
| Level 3 | $25.97 | $32.46 | $986.86 | $51,316.72 |
| Level 4 | $27.10 | $33.88 | $1,029.80 | $53,549.60 |
| Level 5 | $28.35 | $35.44 | $1,077.30 | $56,019.60 |
Penalty Rates — Meat Industry Award
Saturday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
Afternoon Shift
$27.72/hr
1.15x base
Night Shift
$31.33/hr
1.3x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$48.20/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($24.10/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
Break Rules — Meat Industry Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–8 hours | 30 min | None | No |
| 8–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meat Industry Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $54.23/hr |
| Retail Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $60.25/hr |
| Clerks Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Meat Industry Award pay rate for 2025-26?
Under the Meat Industry Award (MA000033), the Level 1 base rate is $24.10/hr from 1 July 2025. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $30.13/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Meat Industry Award?
Permanent employees under the Meat Industry Award receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $48.20/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Meat Industry Award?
Public holiday work under the Meat Industry Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $60.25/hr.
Who is covered by the Meat Industry Award?
The Meat Industry Award covers employees in the meat processing industry. Common job titles include Meat worker, Butcher, Boner, Slicer, Meat packer, Abattoir worker, Smallgoods maker.
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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