Pastoral Award Pay Rates 2026-27
All pay rates under the Pastoral Award 2020 (MA000035) for 2026-27, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 19 July 2026Pastoral Award
MA000035 · Agriculture
Common roles: Farm worker, Station hand, Farmhand, Shearer, Dairy worker
$25.74
Base rate/hr
$32.18
Casual rate/hr
Know someone covered by the Pastoral Award?
Classification Pay Rates — Pastoral Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $25.74 | $32.18 | $978.12 | $50,862.24 |
| Level 2 | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.72 | $52,245.44 |
| Level 3 | $26.49 | $33.11 | $1,006.62 | $52,344.24 |
| Level 4 | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1,029.04 | $53,510.08 |
Penalty Rates — Pastoral Award
Saturday
$38.61/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$51.48/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$64.35/hr
2.5x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$38.61/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$51.48/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($25.74/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
Break Rules — Pastoral 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pastoral Award | $25.74/hr | $32.18/hr | $51.48/hr | $64.35/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr | $59.49/hr |
| Retail Award | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $41.71/hr | $69.52/hr |
| Clerks Award | $26.97/hr | $33.71/hr | $53.94/hr | $67.43/hr |
| Building Award | $26.67/hr | $33.34/hr | $53.34/hr | $66.68/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pastoral Award pay rate for 2026-27?
Under the Pastoral Award (MA000035), the Level 1 base rate is $25.74/hr from 1 July 2026. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $32.18/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Pastoral Award?
Permanent employees under the Pastoral Award receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $51.48/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Pastoral Award?
Public holiday work under the Pastoral Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $64.35/hr.
Who is covered by the Pastoral Award?
The Pastoral Award covers employees in the agriculture industry. Common job titles include Farm worker, Station hand, Farmhand, Shearer, Dairy worker, Stockperson, Tractor driver.
FairWork Mate AI
Is the figure right for you?
The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.
Just need today sorted? A Day Pass is 25 questions over 24 hours, no account. Get a Day Pass — $4.99
Get pay and rights updates for your job
Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.
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.
Embed the Pastoral Award Pay Rates 2026-27 on your site, free. Get the code →