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Dredging Industry Award pay rates 2026–27
The minimum hourly rates and penalty rates under the Dredging Industry Award 2020 [MA000085], in force from 1 July 2026. The lowest adult rate is $28.27 an hour, or $35.34 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.
Employees on a non-propelled dredge
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Crew attendant | $28.27 | $35.34 |
| Assistant driller | $28.27 | $35.34 |
| Greaser | $28.27 | $35.34 |
| Dredgehand | $28.27 | $35.34 |
| Third engineer | $28.73 | $35.91 |
| Driller | $29.26 | $36.58 |
| Second operator | $30.06 | $37.57 |
| Second engineer | $30.06 | $37.57 |
| Leading hand (reclamation) | $30.06 | $37.57 |
| Leading driller | $30.75 | $38.44 |
| Electrician | $30.96 | $38.70 |
| Crane operator/mechanical | $31.05 | $38.81 |
| Engineer | $31.34 | $39.17 |
| Mechanical attendant | $31.34 | $39.17 |
| Drilling technician | $31.97 | $39.96 |
| First operator | $32.87 | $41.09 |
| First engineer | $32.87 | $41.09 |
| Chief operator | $33.54 | $41.93 |
| Chief engineer | $33.54 | $41.93 |
Dredge other than a non-propelled dredge—not fully operational
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Second cook | $29.53 | $36.91 |
| Able seaman, deckhand, dredgehand, greaser, firefighter, motorman | $29.53 | $36.91 |
| Deckhand, assistant driller | $29.53 | $36.91 |
| Assistant pump operator | $30.27 | $37.84 |
| Bosun | $30.27 | $37.84 |
| Chief cook | $30.27 | $37.84 |
| Driller, deckhand/driller | $30.27 | $37.84 |
| Launch driver | $30.88 | $38.60 |
| Pump operator, welder, deckhand/welder, dredgehand/welder | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Second engineer, electrical engineer | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Trailer mate | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Tug master, tug engineer | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Bosun/driller | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Tug master W.H. Reliance or equivalent | $34.66 | $43.33 |
| Electrical engineer Humber River or equivalent | $34.66 | $43.33 |
| Trailer shift master | $34.66 | $43.33 |
| Trailer master | $35.66 | $44.58 |
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Day workers — Second cook | $30.08 | $37.60 |
| Day workers — Able seaman, deckhand, dredgehand, greaser, firefighter, motorman | $30.08 | $37.60 |
| Day workers — Deckhand, assistant driller | $30.08 | $37.60 |
| Day workers — Crew attendant | $30.08 | $37.60 |
| Day workers — Bosun | $30.81 | $38.51 |
| Day workers — Chief cook | $30.81 | $38.51 |
| Day workers — Driller, deckhand/driller | $30.81 | $38.51 |
| Day workers — Assistant pump operator | $30.81 | $38.51 |
| Day workers — Launch driver | $31.42 | $39.28 |
| Shiftworkers — Second cook | $32.00 | $40.00 |
| Shiftworkers — Crew attendant | $32.00 | $40.00 |
| Shiftworkers — Able seaman, deckhand, dredgehand, greaser, firefighter, motorman | $32.00 | $40.00 |
| Shiftworkers — Deckhand, assistant driller | $32.00 | $40.00 |
| Day workers — Second engineer, electrical engineer | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Day workers — Pump operator, welder, deckhand/welder, dredgehand/welder | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Day workers — Trailer mate | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Day workers — Tug master, tug engineer | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Day workers — Bosun/driller | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Shiftworkers — Bosun | $32.78 | $40.98 |
| Shiftworkers — Assistant pump operator | $32.78 | $40.98 |
| Shiftworkers — Chief cook | $32.78 | $40.98 |
| Shiftworkers — Driller, deckhand/driller | $32.78 | $40.98 |
| Shiftworkers — Launch driver | $33.42 | $41.78 |
| Shiftworkers — Bosun/driller | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| Shiftworkers — Pump operator, welder, deckhand/welder, dredgehand/welder | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| Shiftworkers — Trailer mate | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| Shiftworkers — Second engineer, electrical engineer | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| Shiftworkers — Tug master, tug engineer | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| Day workers — Trailer shift master | $35.16 | $43.95 |
| Day workers — Tug master W.H. Reliance or equivalent | $35.16 | $43.95 |
| Day workers — Electrical engineer Humber River or equivalent | $35.16 | $43.95 |
| Day workers — First engineer | $35.16 | $43.95 |
| Day workers — Trailer master | $36.14 | $45.18 |
| Day workers — Chief engineer | $36.14 | $45.18 |
| Shiftworkers — Trailer shift master | $37.39 | $46.74 |
| Shiftworkers — Tug master W.H. Reliance or equivalent | $37.39 | $46.74 |
| Shiftworkers — First engineer | $37.39 | $46.74 |
| Shiftworkers — Electrical engineer Humber River or equivalent | $37.39 | $46.74 |
| Shiftworkers — Trailer master | $38.44 | $48.05 |
| Shiftworkers — Chief engineer | $38.44 | $48.05 |
Penalty rates and overtime
For adult day workers, as a percentage of the base rate unless shown otherwise. Dollar figures are per hour at Crew attendant.
| When | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 200% · $56.54 | 200% of the casual rate · $70.68 |
| Public holiday | 250% · $70.68 | 250% of the casual rate · $88.35 |
| Evening work | 115% · $32.51 | 115% of the casual rate · $40.64 |
| Night work | 130% · $36.75 | 130% of the casual rate · $45.94 |
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.
Dredging Industry Award: common questions
What is the minimum pay rate under the Dredging Industry Award?
From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult classification, Crew attendant, is $28.27 an hour for full-time and part-time employees and $35.34 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 Dredging Industry Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 200% of their base rate for work on a Sunday, which is $56.54 an hour at Crew attendant. Casuals are paid $70.68 an hour at the same level.
What is the public holiday rate under the Dredging Industry Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 250% of their base rate for work on a public holiday, which is $70.68 an hour at Crew attendant. Casuals are paid $88.35 an hour at the same level.
When do Dredging 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 Dredging 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.