A Deeper Dive into Fairwork Construction Industry Award Rates in 2025

After we shared our recent article on navigating Australia’s 2025 construction award rates, several of you reached out asking for a more detailed breakdown - especially around exact hourly rates, overtime rules, and allowances by job title and state.

So, by popular demand, we’ve put together this deeper dive. We’ve packed this article with the specific info many of you have asked for - namely, the agreed award rates that represent the legal minimum an employer must pay. In reality, most roles typically pay more than these base rates. We’ll be continuing this series over the coming weeks with a deeper look at realistic salary expectations for each role based on industry trends and experience levels. Whether you’re a labourer in Queensland, a site supervisor in WA, or a qualified sparkie in Victoria, this guide lays out the current Fair Work award rates that apply to your role - and what you should be getting paid in 2025.

All figures come from official Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) pay guides and relevant Modern Awards. These awards apply nationally across all states and territories under Australia’s national workplace relations system (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT). For most on-site roles, we reference the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), alongside the Plumbing and Electrical awards where relevant.

Note on State/Territory Coverage: Modern awards provide uniform rates Australia-wide. There is no difference in base pay between states under these federal awards. (In Western Australia, some unincorporated businesses may instead follow WA state awards, but the figures below assume coverage by the national Fair Work system.) Each role’s rate is the same in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, and NT under the relevant award.

Lets get into the specifics..

Labourer (General Construction Labourer)

Base Hourly Rate (2025): Approximately $27.05 per hour for a general construction labourer (Level 1 with 12+ months experience). New entrants start slightly lower, around $25.90–$26.73/hour, and progress to the full rate. This base rate includes the standard industry allowance covering conditions like dust, noise, and weather. These rates apply uniformly across all Australian states and territories.

Allowances:

  • Travel Allowance: ~$21.94 per day.
  • Tool Allowance: Not applicable.
  • Site Conditions Allowances: Additional pay for height work ($0.87/hr above 15m), underground work ($4.13/day), inclement weather gear, or first aid duties ($3.72/day).

Overtime Rates:

  • Weekdays: 1.5x for first 2 hours, then 2x.
  • Saturdays: 1.5x (first 2 hrs), 2x after.
  • Sundays: 2x all day.
  • Public Holidays: 2.5x base rate.

References: Fair Work Ombudsman, MBWA, PayCat

Skilled Labourer (Experienced or Specialized)

Base Hourly Rate (2025): Ranges from $28–$29/hour depending on skill or ticket level:

  • CW2: ~$28.03/hr (Scaffolder, Steel Fixer, etc.)
  • CW3: ~$28.80/hr (Rigger, Dogman, Drainer)
  • CW5–CW7: $30.51–$32.12/hr (Crane Crew, etc.)

Allowances:

  • Travel Allowance: ~$21.94/day
  • Special Skill Allowance: ~$0.87/hr for scaffolding/rigging certs.
  • Leading Hand Allowance: $0.67–$2.44/hr depending on crew size.
  • Site-Specific Allowances: Height, confined space, first aid, etc.

Overtime Rates: Same as general labourers.

References: Fair Work Ombudsman, MBWA

Machine Operator (Plant Operator)

Base Hourly Rate (2025): $28–$32+/hour depending on machinery type:

  • Forklift (CW2): ~$28.03/hr
  • Small Crane (CW3): ~$28.80/hr
  • Medium–Large Crane (CW5–CW7): $30.51–$32.12/hr

Allowances:

  • Travel Allowance: ~$21.94/day
  • In-Charge of Plant: ~$48.52/week
  • Distant Work: Per diem/accommodation covered as per award.

Overtime Rates: Same structure: 1.5x, 2x, 2.5x on PHs.

References: Fair Work Ombudsman, MBWA

Skilled Trades (Carpenters, Bricklayers, Plumbers)

Base Hourly Rate (2025):

  • Carpenter: ~$29.80/hr
  • Bricklayer: ~$29.52/hr
  • Plumber (licensed): ~$32.55/hr; (unlicensed): ~$30.27/hr

Allowances:

  • Tool Allowance: ~$19–$25/week
  • Travel Allowance: ~$21.94/day or ~$22.60 (plumbing)
  • Industry/Trade Allowance: Built-in (~$1–$2/hr)
  • License/Registration Allowance: Plumbers ~$1.09/hr, Electricians ~$1/hr
  • Site Allowances: Heights, dirty work, laser safety, etc.

Overtime Rates:

  • Trades under Building Award: 1.5x/2x
  • Plumbing Award: Similar, with extra day off on PHs

References: Fair Work Ombudsman, PayCat, Irrigation Australia

Mechanical Fitter (Construction Context)

Base Hourly Rate (2025):

  • ~$29–$31/hr (Construction site context)
  • Higher rates for CW4–CW5 or advanced certification

Allowances:

  • Tool Allowance: ~$20–$23/week
  • Travel Allowance: ~$21.94/day
  • Leading Hand Allowance: ~$1.49–$2.44/hr
  • Site-Specific Allowances: Height, first aid, confined space

Overtime Rates: Same as other trades. Construction and Manufacturing awards offer similar structures.

References: Fair Work Ombudsman, PayCat

Electrician (Construction)

Base Hourly Rate (2025):

  • Licensed Electrician (Grade 5): ~$28.76–$29.74/hr
  • Higher classifications (Grade 6–9): Up to $32/hr

Allowances:

  • Tool Allowance: ~$22.31/week
  • Licence Allowance: ~$1/hr
  • Travel/Fares Allowance: ~$21.68–$21.94/day
  • Special Conditions: Height work, live line maintenance, dirty work

Overtime Rates:

  • Weekdays: 1.5x then 2x
  • Sundays: 2x
  • Public Holidays: 2.5x

References: Fair Work Ombudsman, Electrical Award

Civils Supervisor

Base Hourly Rate (2025):

  • Typically ~$33–$35/hr minimum (if award-covered, e.g. CW7 + leading hand)
  • Often award-free and salaried (contracted individually)

Allowances:

  • Travel: ~$21.94/day
  • Leading Hand: +$1.44–$2.44/hr
  • Vehicle/Mileage: Common in practice (~78c/km or fixed allowance)

Overtime:

  • Contract-dependent. Award-covered supervisors follow standard rates.

References: Fair Work Ombudsman, MBWA

Site Manager

Base Hourly Rate (2025):

  • Typically award-free and salaried
  • Legal minimum: ~$24.30/hr (National Minimum Wage), actual pay much higher

Allowances:

  • Car, phone, accommodation -- all contract-dependent

Overtime:

  • Generally not paid separately unless contract specifies; many roles include flexibility

References: Fair Work Ombudsman, FWC

Health & Safety Officer (HSE)

Base Hourly Rate (2025):

  • Often award-free or covered under Miscellaneous/Professional Award
  • Estimated: ~$28–$35/hr depending on experience

Allowances:

  • Usually negotiated in salary package (travel, phone, site)

Overtime:

  • Award-covered: 1.5x, 2x after 38 hours
  • Salaried roles: generally included in package

References: Fair Work Ombudsman, Miscellaneous Award

Final Notes

These figures are current as of July 1, 2024 and will remain in place throughout 2025 unless updated by the Annual Wage Review. For exact classification and entitlements, always refer to the full award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or consult a registered workplace advisor.

Work Smart, Work Safe!



Compiled using official Fair Work Australia resources, MBWA, PayCat, Irrigation Australia, and relevant industry award summaries.