Water Industry Award Pay Rates 2026-27
All pay rates under the Water Industry Award 2020 (MA000113) for 2026-27, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Water Industry Award
MA000113 · Water & Sewerage
Common roles: Water treatment operator, Plumber (water), Network technician, Meter reader, Water quality officer
$27.11
Base rate/hr
$33.89
Casual rate/hr
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Classification Pay Rates — Water Industry Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.11 | $33.89 | $1,030.18 | $53,569.36 |
| Level 2 | $27.97 | $34.96 | $1,062.86 | $55,268.72 |
| Level 3 | $29.03 | $36.29 | $1,103.14 | $57,363.28 |
| Level 4 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
| Level 5 | $31.30 | $39.13 | $1,189.40 | $61,848.80 |
Penalty Rates — Water Industry Award
$40.67/hr
$54.22/hr
$67.78/hr
$40.67/hr
$54.22/hr
Break Rules — Water Industry Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | None | No |
| 7.6–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
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Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Industry Award | $27.11/hr | $33.89/hr | $54.22/hr | $67.78/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 | $62.57/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 |
More on the Water Industry Award
Water Industry Award (MA000113) overview
Coverage, penalty rates, casual overtime method and break rules.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in water & sewerage
- Downer Water Industry (Victoria) Enterprise Agreement 2025
- Veolia Water Network Services Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Blackwater Fire Services Pty Ltd & CEPU NSW/NFIA Sprinkler Fitting Fire Protection Union Enterprise Agreement NSW & ACT 2024-2028
- Suez Water Pty Ltd ASD Employees - PTSA Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Veolia Water Operations Pty Ltd – Western Corridor Recycled Water Project Operator/Maintainer Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Programmed Facility Management Melbourne Water AMWU Mechanical and Field Services Agreement 2025
Employer pay guides under the Water Industry Award
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Water Industry Award pay rate for 2026-27?
Under the Water Industry Award (MA000113), the Level 1 base rate is $27.11/hr from 1 July 2026. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $33.89/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Water Industry Award?
Permanent employees under the Water Industry Award receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $54.22/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Water Industry Award?
Public holiday work under the Water Industry Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $67.78/hr.
Who is covered by the Water Industry Award?
The Water Industry Award covers employees in the water & sewerage industry. Common job titles include Water treatment operator, Plumber (water), Network technician, Meter reader, Water quality officer, Sewer maintenance worker.
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