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Black Coal Mining Industry Award pay rates 2026–27
The minimum hourly rates and penalty rates under the Black Coal Mining Industry Award 2020 [MA000001], in force from 1 July 2026. The lowest adult rate is $29.36 an hour, or $36.70 for casuals.
Minimum hourly rates
Adult rates per hour. The casual rate includes the casual loading. Junior, apprentice and trainee rates are set separately in the award.
Staff Employees: Commercial Graduate rates
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Graduate – Level 1—80 | $29.36 | $36.70 |
| Commercial Graduate – Level 2—86 | $31.56 | $39.45 |
| Commercial Graduate – Level 3—94 | $34.49 | $43.11 |
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Graduate – Level 1 | $29.36 | $36.70 |
| Graduate Engineer – Level 1 | $29.75 | $37.19 |
| Group A | $30.75 | $38.44 |
| Commercial Graduate – Level 2 | $31.56 | $39.45 |
| Group B | $31.63 | $39.54 |
| Graduate Engineer – Level 2 | $31.99 | $39.99 |
| Group C | $32.44 | $40.55 |
| Group D | $32.94 | $41.18 |
| Group A — Laboratory Assistant | $33.39 | $41.74 |
| Group A — Tracer | $33.39 | $41.74 |
| GROUP A | $33.39 | $41.74 |
| Group A — Stores Clerk | $33.39 | $41.74 |
| Group A — Surveyor’s Assistant | $33.39 | $41.74 |
| Group A — Coal and/or Dust Sampler | $33.39 | $41.74 |
| Group A — Clerks | $33.39 | $41.74 |
| Group A — Technical Assistant | $33.39 | $41.74 |
| Group E | $33.60 | $42.00 |
| Group F | $33.93 | $42.41 |
| Group B — Surveyor’s Assistant | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Group B — Trainee | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Group B — Tracer | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| GROUP B | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Group B — Screen and Surface Overseer | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Group B — Clerk | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Group B — Laboratory Assistant | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Group B — Traffic Controller | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Group B — Stores Clerk | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Group B — Technical Assistant | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Group B — Coal and/or Dust Sampler | $34.34 | $42.93 |
| Commercial Graduate – Level 3 | $34.49 | $43.11 |
| Graduate Engineer – Level 3 | $34.96 | $43.70 |
| Group C — Senior Stores Clerk | $35.22 | $44.03 |
| Group C — Laboratory Technician | $35.22 | $44.03 |
| GROUP C | $35.22 | $44.03 |
| Group C — Computer Operator | $35.22 | $44.03 |
| Group C — Senior Clerk | $35.22 | $44.03 |
| Group C — Assistant Surveyor | $35.22 | $44.03 |
| Group C — Assistant Safety Officer | $35.22 | $44.03 |
| Group G | $35.71 | $44.64 |
| Group D — Surveyor | $35.76 | $44.70 |
| GROUP D | $35.76 | $44.70 |
| Group D — Shotfirer | $35.76 | $44.70 |
| Group D — Draftsperson | $35.76 | $44.70 |
| Group H | $36.13 | $45.16 |
| Group E — Leading Draftsperson | $36.48 | $45.60 |
| Group E — Assistant Electrical and/or Mechanical Engineer | $36.48 | $45.60 |
| GROUP E | $36.48 | $45.60 |
| Group E — Assistant Training Officer | $36.48 | $45.60 |
| Group I | $36.69 | $45.86 |
| GROUP F | $36.83 | $46.04 |
| Group F — Senior Computer Operator | $36.83 | $46.04 |
| Group F — Administrative Officer | $36.83 | $46.04 |
| Group F — Assistant Purchasing and Stores Control Officer | $36.83 | $46.04 |
| Group J | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Group K | $38.03 | $47.54 |
| Group G — Assistant to the Chief Clerk | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| Group G — Chemist | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| Group G — Stores Control Officer | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| GROUP G | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| Group G — Purchasing Officer | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| Group G — Safety Officer | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| Group G — Environmental Scientist | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| Group G — Personnel Officer | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| Group G — Analyst and/or Programmer | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| Group G — Paymaster | $38.77 | $48.46 |
| Group L | $38.96 | $48.70 |
| Group H — Deputy | $39.23 | $49.04 |
| Group H — Occupational Hygienist/Statutory Dust Sampler | $39.23 | $49.04 |
| Group H — Mines Rescue Technical Officer Level 1 | $39.23 | $49.04 |
| Group H — Mines Rescue Training Officer Level 1 | $39.23 | $49.04 |
| Group H — Training Officer | $39.23 | $49.04 |
| GROUP H | $39.23 | $49.04 |
| Group I — Purchasing and Store Control Officer | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Foreperson | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| GROUP I | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Assistant Accountant | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Senior Analyst and/or Programmer | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Planning Officer | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Commercial Officer | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Mines Rescue Training Officer Level 2 | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Coal Preparation Plant Foreperson (Tasmania) | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Mine Surveyor | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Occupational Health Nurse | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Chief Clerk | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group I — Mines Rescue Technical Officer Level 2 | $39.84 | $49.80 |
| Group J — Mines Rescue Training Officer Level 3 | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Engineer | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Metallurgist | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Washing Plant Superintendent and/or Supervisor | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — EDP Supervisor | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Mines Rescue Technical Officer Level 3 | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Assistant Undermanager | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Accountant | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| GROUP J | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Senior Chemist | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Assistant to the Chief Electrical and/or Mechanical Engineer | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Chief Surveyor | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Senior Foreperson | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Geologist | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group J — Open Cut Overseer | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| Group M | $40.50 | $50.63 |
| Group K — Senior Open Cut Overseer | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group K — Mines Rescue Training Coordinator | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group K — Senior Geologist | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group K — Chief Geologist | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group K — Senior Metallurgist | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group K — Undermanager | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group K — Chief Chemist | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| GROUP K | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group K — Senior Engineer | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group K — Mines Rescue Senior Technical Officer | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group K — Coal Preparation Plant Supervisor | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Group L — Production Supervisor | $42.30 | $52.88 |
| Group L — Chief Electrical and/or Mechanical Engineer | $42.30 | $52.88 |
| Group L — Mines Rescue Assistant Superintendent | $42.30 | $52.88 |
| GROUP L | $42.30 | $52.88 |
| GROUP M | $43.97 | $54.96 |
| Group M — Mines Rescue Superintendent | $43.97 | $54.96 |
| Group M — Undermanager (in charge) | $43.97 | $54.96 |
| Group M — Electrical and/or Mechanical Engineer (in charge) | $43.97 | $54.96 |
Staff Employees: Graduate Engineer rates
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Engineer – Level 1—80 | $29.75 | $37.19 |
| Graduate Engineer – Level 2—86 | $31.99 | $39.99 |
| Graduate Engineer – Level 3—94 | $34.96 | $43.70 |
Production and Engineering Employees
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Mineworker – Induction Level 1 | $31.15 | $38.94 |
| Mineworker – Training | $31.75 | $39.69 |
| Mineworker – Induction Level 2 | $31.75 | $39.69 |
| Mineworker | $33.94 | $42.43 |
| Mineworker – Advanced | $35.57 | $44.46 |
| Mineworker – Specialised | $39.23 | $49.04 |
Penalty rates and overtime
For adult day workers, as a percentage of the base rate unless shown otherwise. Dollar figures are per hour at Commercial Graduate – Level 1—80.
| When | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 200% · $58.72 | 200% · $58.72 |
| Public holiday | 300% · $88.08 | 300% · $88.08 |
| Evening work | 215% · $63.12 | 215% · $63.12 |
| Night work | 225% · $66.06 | 225% · $66.06 |
| Overtime, first 3 hours | 150% · $44.04 | 150% · $44.04 |
| Overtime, after 3 hours | 200% · $58.72 | 200% · $58.72 |
Shiftworkers, juniors and apprentices can have different penalties, and some awards set more than one evening or night band (the lowest is shown). The award itself is the authority.
Source: the Fair Work Commission's published rates. Check them against the award or the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide.
Black Coal Mining Industry Award: common questions
What is the minimum pay rate under the Black Coal Mining Industry Award?
From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult classification, Commercial Graduate – Level 1—80, is $29.36 an hour for full-time and part-time employees and $36.70 an hour for casuals, which includes the casual loading. Higher classifications are paid more; the full table is on this page.
What is the Sunday rate under the Black Coal Mining Industry Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 200% of their base rate for work on a Sunday, which is $58.72 an hour at Commercial Graduate – Level 1—80. Casuals are paid $58.72 an hour at the same level.
What is the public holiday rate under the Black Coal Mining Industry Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 300% of their base rate for work on a public holiday, which is $88.08 an hour at Commercial Graduate – Level 1—80. Casuals are paid $88.08 an hour at the same level.
When do Black Coal Mining Industry Award pay rates change?
The Fair Work Commission reviews minimum wages every year, and new rates usually apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. The rates on this page apply from 1 July 2026.
How do I check a payslip against the Black Coal Mining Industry Award?
Upload the payslip to FairCheck's free payslip check. It reads the pay lines, confirms the award and classification with you, and shows whether the rates, penalties and super meet this award, with the reasoning for every line.