Plumbing Award Penalty Rates
All penalty rates under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 (MA000036) for 2025-26, including weekends, public holidays, evening, and overtime.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Plumbing Award — Key Rates at a Glance
Saturday (first 2 hours)
$41.96/hr
1.5x base
Saturday (after 2 hours)
$55.94/hr
2x base
Sunday
$55.94/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$69.93/hr
2.5x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$41.96/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$55.94/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($27.97/hr base). See full table below for all levels.
Full Penalty Rate Table — Plumbing Award
| Level | Base Rate | Saturday 1.5x | Saturday 2x | Sunday 2x | Public Holiday 2.5x | Overtime 1.5x | Overtime 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.97/hr | $41.96/hr | $55.94/hr | $55.94/hr | $69.93/hr | $41.96/hr | $55.94/hr |
| Level 2 | $28.49/hr | $42.74/hr | $56.98/hr | $56.98/hr | $71.23/hr | $42.74/hr | $56.98/hr |
| Level 3 | $28.85/hr | $43.28/hr | $57.70/hr | $57.70/hr | $72.13/hr | $43.28/hr | $57.70/hr |
| Level 4 | $29.26/hr | $43.89/hr | $58.52/hr | $58.52/hr | $73.15/hr | $43.89/hr | $58.52/hr |
| Level 5 | $31.63/hr | $47.45/hr | $63.26/hr | $63.26/hr | $79.08/hr | $47.45/hr | $63.26/hr |
Compare Penalty Rates Across Awards (Level 1)
| Award | Base Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Award | $27.97/hr | $55.94/hr (2x) | $69.93/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) | $69.52/hr (2.5x) |
| 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
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalty rates under the Plumbing Award?
The Plumbing Award (MA000036) provides penalty rates for Saturday (first 2 hours), Saturday (after 2 hours), 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 plumbing workers?
Under the Plumbing Award, permanent employees receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee at $27.97/hr, this means $55.94/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Plumbing Award?
Public holiday work under the Plumbing Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $69.93/hr.
Who is covered by the Plumbing Award?
The Plumbing Award covers employees in the plumbing industry. Common job titles include Plumber, Gasfitter, Plumbing apprentice, Drainer, Fire sprinkler fitter, Roof plumber.
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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.