Minimum pay rates for painters in Western Australia under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020)
$28.54
Base rate/hr
$35.68
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.
Western Australia Note
Western Australia has a state industrial relations system that covers some private sector employees not in the national system.
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $28.54/hr | $1,084.52 | $56,395.04 |
| Part-time (adult) | $28.54/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $35.68/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020.
Saturday
$42.81/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$57.08/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$71.35/hr
2.5x base
Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($28.54/hr base). Casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (before casual loading).
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW/ECW 3 | Painter's labourer / assistant | $26.74 | $33.43 | $52,838.24 |
| CW/ECW 4 | Qualified painter / decorator | $28.54 | $35.68 | $56,395.04 |
| CW/ECW 5 | Advanced painter / specialist finisher | $29.71 | $37.14 | $58,706.96 |
View full Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 pay rates →
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 →| Job | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $29.47/hr | $36.84/hr | $58.94/hr |
| Site Supervisor | $29.71/hr | $37.14/hr | $59.42/hr |
| Concreter | $28.54/hr | $35.68/hr | $57.08/hr |
The minimum hourly rate for a painter in Western Australia is $28.54/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $35.68/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 2025.
The minimum wage for a painter is $28.54 per hour ($1,084.52 per week for a 38-hour week, or $56,395.04 per year). This is set by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
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.
Yes. Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, painters receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($42.81/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($57.08/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($71.35/hr).
The casual rate for a painter is $35.68/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $28.54/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
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.
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