Local Government Award Penalty Rates
All penalty rates under the Local Government Industry Award 2020 (MA000112) for 2025-26, including weekends, public holidays, evening, and overtime.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Local Government Award — Key Rates at a Glance
Saturday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$48.20/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($24.10/hr base). See full table below for all levels.
Full Penalty Rate Table — Local Government Award
| Level | Base Rate | Saturday 1.5x | Sunday 2x | Public Holiday 2.5x | Overtime 1.5x | Overtime 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr | $36.15/hr | $48.20/hr |
| Level 2 | $25.08/hr | $37.62/hr | $50.16/hr | $62.70/hr | $37.62/hr | $50.16/hr |
| Level 3 | $26.04/hr | $39.06/hr | $52.08/hr | $65.10/hr | $39.06/hr | $52.08/hr |
| Level 4 | $27.34/hr | $41.01/hr | $54.68/hr | $68.35/hr | $41.01/hr | $54.68/hr |
| Level 5 | $28.47/hr | $42.71/hr | $56.94/hr | $71.18/hr | $42.71/hr | $56.94/hr |
| Level 6 | $30.24/hr | $45.36/hr | $60.48/hr | $75.60/hr | $45.36/hr | $60.48/hr |
Compare Penalty Rates Across Awards (Level 1)
| Award | Base Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Hospitality Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $54.23/hr (2.25x) |
| Retail Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Clerks Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
Calculate Your Exact Penalty Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalty rates under the Local Government Award?
The Local Government Award (MA000112) provides penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday, Overtime (first 2 hours), Overtime (after 2 hours). Rates range from 1.5x to 2.5x of the base hourly rate.
What is the Sunday penalty rate for local government workers?
Under the Local Government Award, permanent employees receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee at $24.10/hr, this means $48.20/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Local Government Award?
Public holiday work under the Local Government Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $60.25/hr.
Who is covered by the Local Government Award?
The Local Government Award covers employees in the local government industry. Common job titles include Council worker, Parks and gardens worker, Road crew, Library assistant, Ranger, Building inspector, Customer service officer.
General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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