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Pastoral Award pay rates 2026–27
The minimum hourly rates and penalty rates under the Pastoral Award 2020 [MA000035], in force from 1 July 2026. The lowest adult rate is $1.93 an hour, or $2.41 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.
Woolclassers and Shearing shed experts
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping, overseeing, experting | $1.93 | $2.41 |
| Woolrolling and other shed hands work | $2.97 | $3.71 |
| Base | $29.10 | $36.38 |
| Subtotal 1 | $32.07 | $40.09 |
| Subtotal | $36.37 | $45.46 |
| Subtotal 2 | $40.50 | $50.63 |
| Shearing shed expert level 1 | $41.85 | $52.31 |
| Shearing shed experts - E1 | $41.85 | $52.31 |
| Shearing shed experts - E2 | $46.50 | $58.13 |
| Shearing shed expert level 2 | $46.50 | $58.13 |
| Woolclasser level 1 | $46.50 | $58.13 |
| Rounded to the nearest 5 cents | $46.50 | $58.13 |
| Woolclasser level 2 | $50.21 | $62.76 |
| Woolclasser level 3 | $52.63 | $65.79 |
Adult Station cooks
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Station cook (FLH1)—work on 6 full days | $3.51 | $4.39 |
| Station cook (FLH1)—work on 6 full days & 1 half day | $7.02 | $8.77 |
| Station cook (FLH1)—work on 7 full days | $10.53 | $13.16 |
| Station cook (FLH1)—minimum weekly rate | $25.74 | $32.17 |
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| With less than 65 work days’ experience in the industry — Minimum rate—which is 84.56% of Shearer's minimum rate | $23.53 | $29.41 |
| With 65 or more work days’ experience in the industry — Minimum rate which is 90.44% of Shearer's minimum rate | $25.16 | $31.45 |
| Time work — Minimum rate | $27.11 | $33.89 |
| Weekly — For adults with less than 65 work days' experience as a shed hand | $39.08 | $48.85 |
| With less than 65 work days’ experience in the industry — Total | $39.08 | $48.85 |
| Weekly — For adults with 65 or more work days' experience as a shed hand | $41.13 | $51.41 |
| With 65 or more work days’ experience in the industry — Total | $41.13 | $51.41 |
| Time work — Total per week | $43.56 | $54.45 |
Pig Breeding and Raising
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| PA2 (1Jul24-31Mar25) | $24.09 | $30.11 |
| PA1 | $24.28 | $30.35 |
| PA2 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| PA3 | $27.08 | $33.85 |
| PA4 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| PA5 | $28.68 | $35.85 |
| PA6 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| PA7 | $30.38 | $37.98 |
Broadacre Farming and Livestock Operations
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| FLH1 | $25.74 | $32.17 |
| FLH2 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| FLH3 | $26.49 | $33.11 |
| FLH4 | $27.08 | $33.85 |
| FLH5 | $27.55 | $34.44 |
| FLH6 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| FLH7 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| FLH8 | $31.64 | $39.55 |
Poultry Farming - Adult
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| PW1 | $25.74 | $32.17 |
| PW2 | $26.49 | $33.11 |
| PW3 | $27.55 | $34.44 |
| PW4 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
Shearers
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum rate | $27.82 | $34.78 |
| Weekly total for casual piecework Shearer with own handpiece (500 sheep) | $53.94 | $67.43 |
Shearing cooks
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $44.63 | $55.79 |
Penalty rates and overtime
For adult day workers, as a percentage of the base rate unless shown otherwise. Dollar figures are per hour at Bookkeeping, overseeing, experting.
| When | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 150% · $2.90 | 175% · $3.38 |
| Sunday | 150% · $2.90 | 150% of the casual rate · $3.62 |
| Public holiday | 200% · $3.86 | 225% · $4.34 |
| Evening work | 115% · $2.22 | 140% · $2.70 |
| Night work | 130% · $2.51 | 155% · $2.99 |
| Overtime, first 2 hours | 150% · $2.90 | 150% of the casual rate · $3.62 |
| Overtime, after 2 hours | 200% · $3.86 | 200% of the casual rate · $4.82 |
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.
Pastoral Award: common questions
What is the minimum pay rate under the Pastoral Award?
From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult classification, Bookkeeping, overseeing, experting, is $1.93 an hour for full-time and part-time employees and $2.41 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 Pastoral Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 150% of their base rate for work on a Sunday, which is $2.90 an hour at Bookkeeping, overseeing, experting. Casuals are paid $3.62 an hour at the same level.
What is the public holiday rate under the Pastoral Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 200% of their base rate for work on a public holiday, which is $3.86 an hour at Bookkeeping, overseeing, experting. Casuals are paid $4.34 an hour at the same level.
When do Pastoral 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 Pastoral 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.