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.
Last verified: 19 July 2026Water 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
Saturday
$40.67/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$54.22/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$67.78/hr
2.5x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$40.67/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$54.22/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($27.11/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
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
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
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 | $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 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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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.
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