Painter Pay Rate in QLD 2026-27
Minimum pay rates for painters in Queensland under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 19 July 2026Painter — Minimum Pay Rate (QLD)
Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020)
$29.71
Base rate/hr
$37.14
Casual rate/hr
Painters prepare surfaces and apply paint, stain, and protective coatings to buildings and structures. They work on residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Queensland Note
Queensland workers are entitled to state-specific public holidays including Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in Brisbane.
Minimum Hourly Rates — Painter
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $29.71/hr | $1,128.98 | $58,706.96 |
| Part-time (adult) | $29.71/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $37.14/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020.
Penalty Rates — Painter
Saturday
$44.57/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$59.42/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$74.28/hr
2.5x base
Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($29.71/hr base). Casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (before casual loading).
Classification Levels — Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW/ECW 3 | Painter's labourer / assistant | $28.10 | $35.13 | $55,525.60 |
| CW/ECW 4 | Qualified painter / decorator | $29.71 | $37.14 | $58,706.96 |
| CW/ECW 5 | Advanced painter / specialist finisher | $31.05 | $38.81 | $61,354.80 |
View full Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 pay rates →
Am I Being Underpaid as a Painter?
Painters in the construction industry are often engaged as sham contractors. Employees are entitled to award rates, leave, and superannuation that contractors miss out on.
If you think you are being paid below the minimum rate, you can calculate your potential back pay and check your rights.
Check If You Are Underpaid →Related Jobs Under the Same Award
| Job | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $29.71/hr | $37.14/hr | $59.42/hr |
| Site Supervisor | $31.05/hr | $38.81/hr | $62.10/hr |
| Concreter | $29.71/hr | $37.14/hr | $59.42/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a painter get paid per hour in Queensland?
The minimum hourly rate for a painter in Queensland is $29.71/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $37.14/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), effective from 1 July 2026.
What is the minimum wage for a painter?
The minimum wage for a painter is $29.71 per hour ($1,128.98 per week for a 38-hour week, or $58,706.96 per year). This is set by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
What award covers painters?
Painters are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020). This Modern Award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and leave entitlements. Your employer may also have an enterprise agreement with different (usually higher) rates.
Do painters get penalty rates on weekends?
Yes. Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, painters receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($44.57/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($59.42/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($74.28/hr).
What is the casual rate for a painter?
The casual rate for a painter is $37.14/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $29.71/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
How much should a 17 year old painter get paid?
Painters are skilled tradespeople. Apprentice rates apply during training, not junior rates. The Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 does not have specific junior rates for this classification.
Useful Tools
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Embed this calculator on your site — free
One line of HTML. Auto-updates with the latest Australian rates. Click to copy the code.
Show code →
Embed this calculator on your site — free
One line of HTML. Auto-updates with the latest Australian rates. Click to copy the code.
Copy & paste into any HR blog, payroll docs, intranet, or CMS.
<iframe
src="https://fairworkmate.com.au/embed/pay-rates?partner=YOUR_NAME"
width="100%"
height="700"
frameborder="0"
loading="lazy"
title="Painter Pay Rate in QLD 2026-27 by FairWork Mate"
style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:680px;"
></iframe>YOUR_NAME with your site identifier for attribution (optional).Get notified when rates change
Free alerts when minimum wage, award rates, or workplace laws are updated.
Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.