Graphic Arts Award Penalty Rates
All penalty rates under the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award 2020 (MA000026) for 2025-26, including weekends, public holidays, evening, and overtime.
Graphic Arts Award — Key Rates at a Glance
Saturday
$51.48/hr
2x base
Sunday
$51.48/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$64.35/hr
2.5x base
Afternoon Shift
$29.60/hr
1.15x base
Night Shift
$33.46/hr
1.3x 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). See full table below for all levels.
Full Penalty Rate Table — Graphic Arts Award
| Level | Base Rate | Saturday 2x | Sunday 2x | Public Holiday 2.5x | Afternoon Shift 1.15x | Night Shift 1.3x | Overtime 1.5x | Overtime 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $25.74/hr | $51.48/hr | $51.48/hr | $64.35/hr | $29.60/hr | $33.46/hr | $38.61/hr | $51.48/hr |
| Level 2 | $26.44/hr | $52.88/hr | $52.88/hr | $66.10/hr | $30.41/hr | $34.37/hr | $39.66/hr | $52.88/hr |
| Level 3 | $27.08/hr | $54.16/hr | $54.16/hr | $67.70/hr | $31.14/hr | $35.20/hr | $40.62/hr | $54.16/hr |
| Level 4 | $27.97/hr | $55.94/hr | $55.94/hr | $69.93/hr | $32.17/hr | $36.36/hr | $41.96/hr | $55.94/hr |
| Level 5 | $29.45/hr | $58.90/hr | $58.90/hr | $73.63/hr | $33.87/hr | $38.29/hr | $44.18/hr | $58.90/hr |
Compare Penalty Rates Across Awards (Level 1)
| Award | Base Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Arts Award | $25.74/hr | $51.48/hr (2x) | $64.35/hr (2.5x) |
| Hospitality Award | $26.44/hr | $39.66/hr (1.5x) | $59.49/hr (2.25x) |
| Retail Award | $27.81/hr | $41.71/hr (1.5x) | $62.57/hr (2.25x) |
| Clerks Award | $26.97/hr | $53.94/hr (2x) | $67.43/hr (2.5x) |
| Building Award | $26.67/hr | $53.34/hr (2x) | $66.68/hr (2.5x) |
Calculate Your Exact Penalty Rate
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalty rates under the Graphic Arts Award?
The Graphic Arts Award (MA000026) provides penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday, Afternoon Shift, Night Shift, Overtime (first 2 hours), Overtime (after 2 hours). Percentage rates range from 1.15x to 2.5x of the base hourly rate.
What is the Sunday penalty rate for printing & publishing workers?
Under the Graphic Arts Award, permanent employees receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee at $25.74/hr, this means $51.48/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Graphic Arts Award?
Public holiday work under the Graphic Arts Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $64.35/hr.
Who is covered by the Graphic Arts Award?
The Graphic Arts Award covers employees in the printing & publishing industry. Common job titles include Graphic designer, Printer, Print finisher, Pre-press operator, Bookbinder, Digital printer.
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