Water Industry Award Penalty Rates
All penalty rates under the Water Industry Award 2020 (MA000113) for 2025-26, including weekends, public holidays, evening, and overtime.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Water Industry 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 — Water Industry 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 | $28.81/hr | $43.21/hr | $57.62/hr | $72.02/hr | $43.21/hr | $57.62/hr |
Compare Penalty Rates Across Awards (Level 1)
| Award | Base Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Industry 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 Water Industry Award?
The Water Industry Award (MA000113) 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 water & sewerage workers?
Under the Water Industry 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 Water Industry Award?
Public holiday work under the Water Industry Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $60.25/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.
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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