Dredging Industry Award pay rates
Award code MA000085, with rates in force from 1 July 2026.
Minimum pay for 79 adult classifications under the Dredging Industry Award 2020, from 1 July 2026: $28.27 to $38.44 an hour before tax. Casuals get a 25% loading on top.
Lowest adult rate
$28.27an hour
For Assistant driller. $1,074.20 for a full-time week. Up 4.74% from $26.99. Casuals get $35.34 an hour, with the 25% loading.
Its lowest adult rate is $28.27 an hour, 6.9% above the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 14 have a higher minimum. The dashed line is the minimum wage; each tick is another award.
Pay by classification
Dollars an hour, from 1 July 2026- Assistant driller$28.27
- Crew attendant$28.27
- Dredgehand$28.27
- Greaser$28.27
- Third engineer$28.73
- Driller$29.26
- Leading hand (reclamation)$30.06
- Second engineer$30.06
- Second operator$30.06
- Leading driller$30.75
- Electrician$30.96
- Crane operator/mechanical$31.05
- Engineer$31.34
- Mechanical attendant$31.34
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Drilling technician$31.97
- First engineer$32.87
- First operator$32.87
- Chief engineer$33.54
- Chief operator$33.54
- Able seaman, deckhand, dredgehand, greaser, firefighter, motorman$29.53
- Crew attendant$29.53
- Deckhand, assistant driller$29.53
- Second cook$29.53
- Assistant pump operator$30.27
- Bosun$30.27
- Chief cook$30.27
- Driller, deckhand/driller$30.27
- Launch driver$30.88
- Bosun/driller$31.87
- Pump operator, welder, deckhand/welder, dredgehand/welder$31.87
- Second engineer, electrical engineer$31.87
- Trailer mate$31.87
- Tug master, tug engineer$31.87
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Electrical engineer Humber River or equivalent$34.66
- First engineer$34.66
- Trailer shift master$34.66
- Tug master W.H. Reliance or equivalent$34.66
- Chief engineer$35.66
- Trailer master$35.66
- Able seaman, deckhand, dredgehand, greaser, firefighter, motormanDay workers$30.08
- Crew attendantDay workers$30.08
- Deckhand, assistant drillerDay workers$30.08
- Second cookDay workers$30.08
- Assistant pump operatorDay workers$30.81
- BosunDay workers$30.81
- Chief cookDay workers$30.81
- Driller, deckhand/drillerDay workers$30.81
- Launch driverDay workers$31.42
- Bosun/drillerDay workers$32.39
- Pump operator, welder, deckhand/welder, dredgehand/welderDay workers$32.39
- Second engineer, electrical engineerDay workers$32.39
- Trailer mateDay workers$32.39
- Tug master, tug engineerDay workers$32.39
Show 26 moreShow fewer
- Electrical engineer Humber River or equivalentDay workers$35.16
- First engineerDay workers$35.16
- Trailer shift masterDay workers$35.16
- Tug master W.H. Reliance or equivalentDay workers$35.16
- Chief engineerDay workers$36.14
- Trailer masterDay workers$36.14
- Able seaman, deckhand, dredgehand, greaser, firefighter, motormanShiftworkers$32.00
- Crew attendantShiftworkers$32.00
- Deckhand, assistant drillerShiftworkers$32.00
- Second cookShiftworkers$32.00
- Assistant pump operatorShiftworkers$32.78
- BosunShiftworkers$32.78
- Chief cookShiftworkers$32.78
- Driller, deckhand/drillerShiftworkers$32.78
- Launch driverShiftworkers$33.42
- Bosun/drillerShiftworkers$34.46
- Pump operator, welder, deckhand/welder, dredgehand/welderShiftworkers$34.46
- Second engineer, electrical engineerShiftworkers$34.46
- Trailer mateShiftworkers$34.46
- Tug master, tug engineerShiftworkers$34.46
- Electrical engineer Humber River or equivalentShiftworkers$37.39
- First engineerShiftworkers$37.39
- Trailer shift masterShiftworkers$37.39
- Tug master W.H. Reliance or equivalentShiftworkers$37.39
- Chief engineerShiftworkers$38.44
- Trailer masterShiftworkers$38.44
Hover or tap a row for last year's rate. Every rate, in every unit, is in the tables below.
Penalty rates at a glance
Percent of the ordinary rate, and dollars an hour at Dredgehand.
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$28.27 |
| Afternoon or night shift | 115%$32.51 |
| Night shift | 130%$36.75 |
| Public holidays | 250%$70.68 |
Minimum pay by classification from 1 July 2026
Weekly rates are for a full-time week; hourly rates apply to full-time and part-time hours. Casual hourly adds the 25% loading.
Employees on a non-propelled dredgeClause 15.1
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant driller | $1,074.20 | $28.27 | $35.34 |
| Crew attendant | $1,074.20 | $28.27 | $35.34 |
| Dredgehand | $1,074.20 | $28.27 | $35.34 |
| Greaser | $1,074.20 | $28.27 | $35.34 |
| Third engineer | $1,091.70 | $28.73 | $35.91 |
| Driller | $1,111.80 | $29.26 | $36.58 |
| Leading hand (reclamation) | $1,142.40 | $30.06 | $37.57 |
| Second engineer | $1,142.40 | $30.06 | $37.57 |
| Second operator | $1,142.40 | $30.06 | $37.57 |
| Leading driller | $1,168.40 | $30.75 | $38.44 |
| Electrician | $1,176.60 | $30.96 | $38.70 |
| Crane operator/mechanical | $1,180.00 | $31.05 | $38.81 |
| Engineer | $1,190.80 | $31.34 | $39.18 |
| Mechanical attendant | $1,190.80 | $31.34 | $39.18 |
| Drilling technician | $1,214.90 | $31.97 | $39.96 |
| First engineer | $1,248.90 | $32.87 | $41.09 |
| First operator | $1,248.90 | $32.87 | $41.09 |
| Chief engineer | $1,274.50 | $33.54 | $41.93 |
| Chief operator | $1,274.50 | $33.54 | $41.93 |
Dredge other than a non-propelled dredge, not fully operationalClause 15.2
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Able seaman, deckhand, dredgehand, greaser, firefighter, motorman | $1,122.30 | $29.53 | $36.91 |
| Crew attendant | $1,122.30 | $29.53 | $36.91 |
| Deckhand, assistant driller | $1,122.30 | $29.53 | $36.91 |
| Second cook | $1,122.30 | $29.53 | $36.91 |
| Assistant pump operator | $1,150.40 | $30.27 | $37.84 |
| Bosun | $1,150.40 | $30.27 | $37.84 |
| Chief cook | $1,150.40 | $30.27 | $37.84 |
| Driller, deckhand/driller | $1,150.40 | $30.27 | $37.84 |
| Launch driver | $1,173.60 | $30.88 | $38.60 |
| Bosun/driller | $1,211.10 | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Pump operator, welder, deckhand/welder, dredgehand/welder | $1,211.10 | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Second engineer, electrical engineer | $1,211.10 | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Trailer mate | $1,211.10 | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Tug master, tug engineer | $1,211.10 | $31.87 | $39.84 |
| Electrical engineer Humber River or equivalent | $1,317.20 | $34.66 | $43.32 |
| First engineer | $1,317.20 | $34.66 | $43.32 |
| Trailer shift master | $1,317.20 | $34.66 | $43.32 |
| Tug master W.H. Reliance or equivalent | $1,317.20 | $34.66 | $43.32 |
| Chief engineer | $1,354.90 | $35.66 | $44.57 |
| Trailer master | $1,354.90 | $35.66 | $44.57 |
Dredge other than a non-propelled dredge, fully operationalClause 15.3
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day workersAble seaman, deckhand, dredgehand, greaser, firefighter, motorman | $2,526.90 | $30.08 | $37.60 |
| Day workersCrew attendant | $2,526.90 | $30.08 | $37.60 |
| Day workersDeckhand, assistant driller | $2,526.90 | $30.08 | $37.60 |
| Day workersSecond cook | $2,526.90 | $30.08 | $37.60 |
| Day workersAssistant pump operator | $2,588.40 | $30.81 | $38.51 |
| Day workersBosun | $2,588.40 | $30.81 | $38.51 |
| Day workersChief cook | $2,588.40 | $30.81 | $38.51 |
| Day workersDriller, deckhand/driller | $2,588.40 | $30.81 | $38.51 |
| Day workersLaunch driver | $2,639.10 | $31.42 | $39.28 |
| Day workersBosun/driller | $2,721.10 | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Day workersPump operator, welder, deckhand/welder, dredgehand/welder | $2,721.10 | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Day workersSecond engineer, electrical engineer | $2,721.10 | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Day workersTrailer mate | $2,721.10 | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Day workersTug master, tug engineer | $2,721.10 | $32.39 | $40.49 |
| Day workersElectrical engineer Humber River or equivalent | $2,953.10 | $35.16 | $43.95 |
| Day workersFirst engineer | $2,953.10 | $35.16 | $43.95 |
| Day workersTrailer shift master | $2,953.10 | $35.16 | $43.95 |
| Day workersTug master W.H. Reliance or equivalent | $2,953.10 | $35.16 | $43.95 |
| Day workersChief engineer | $3,035.60 | $36.14 | $45.18 |
| Day workersTrailer master | $3,035.60 | $36.14 | $45.18 |
| ShiftworkersAble seaman, deckhand, dredgehand, greaser, firefighter, motorman | $2,495.90 | $32.00 | $40.00 |
| ShiftworkersCrew attendant | $2,495.90 | $32.00 | $40.00 |
| ShiftworkersDeckhand, assistant driller | $2,495.90 | $32.00 | $40.00 |
| ShiftworkersSecond cook | $2,495.90 | $32.00 | $40.00 |
| ShiftworkersAssistant pump operator | $2,556.60 | $32.78 | $40.98 |
| ShiftworkersBosun | $2,556.60 | $32.78 | $40.98 |
| ShiftworkersChief cook | $2,556.60 | $32.78 | $40.98 |
| ShiftworkersDriller, deckhand/driller | $2,556.60 | $32.78 | $40.98 |
| ShiftworkersLaunch driver | $2,606.70 | $33.42 | $41.78 |
| ShiftworkersBosun/driller | $2,687.70 | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| ShiftworkersPump operator, welder, deckhand/welder, dredgehand/welder | $2,687.70 | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| ShiftworkersSecond engineer, electrical engineer | $2,687.70 | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| ShiftworkersTrailer mate | $2,687.70 | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| ShiftworkersTug master, tug engineer | $2,687.70 | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| ShiftworkersElectrical engineer Humber River or equivalent | $2,916.80 | $37.39 | $46.74 |
| ShiftworkersFirst engineer | $2,916.80 | $37.39 | $46.74 |
| ShiftworkersTrailer shift master | $2,916.80 | $37.39 | $46.74 |
| ShiftworkersTug master W.H. Reliance or equivalent | $2,916.80 | $37.39 | $46.74 |
| ShiftworkersChief engineer | $2,998.20 | $38.44 | $48.05 |
| ShiftworkersTrailer master | $2,998.20 | $38.44 | $48.05 |
Penalty and overtime rates
Percentages as the award sets them, and what they come to an hour at the first adult level. Higher classifications get the same percentages of their own rate. The tick on each bar marks 100%, the ordinary rate.
Evenings, weekends and public holidays
Full-time and part-time employees engaged on a dredge other than a non-propelled dredge that is not fully operational: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Deckhand, assistant driller
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$29.53 |
| Afternoon or night shift | 115%$33.96 |
| Night shift | 130%$38.39 |
| Public holidays | 250%$73.83 |
Full-time and part-time employees engaged on a non-propelled dredge: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Dredgehand
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$28.27 |
| Afternoon or night shift | 115%$32.51 |
| Night shift | 130%$36.75 |
| Public holidays | 250%$70.68 |
Casual dayworkers engaged on a dredge other than a non-propelled dredge that is fully operational: ordinary hours
Dollars an hour at Deckhand, assistant driller
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 125%$37.60 |
Casual employees engaged on a dredge other than a non-propelled dredge that is not fully operational: ordinary rates
Dollars an hour at Deckhand, assistant driller
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 125%$36.91 |
Casual employees on a non-propelled dredge: ordinary rates
Dollars an hour at Dredgehand
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 125%$35.34 |
Shiftwork
Casual shiftworkers engaged on a dredge other than a non-propelled dredge that is fully operational: ordinary hours
Dollars an hour at Deckhand, assistant driller
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 125%$40.00 |
Overtime
Full-time and part-time employees engaged on a dredge other than a non-propelled dredge that is not fully operational: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at Deckhand, assistant driller
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monday to Sunday | 200%$59.06 |
| Public holiday | 250%$73.83 |
Full-time and part-time employees engaged on a non-propelled dredge: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at Dredgehand
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monday to Sunday | 200%$56.54 |
| Public holidays | 250%$70.68 |
Allowances paid on top
14 allowances are for the work itself, paid when the job calls for it, and 13 cover costs you'd otherwise pay yourself, like meals, laundry or travel. The amounts are the Commission's, in force today; the award sets out exactly who gets each one and when.
For the work
| Allowance | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Dual certificate allowance | ||
| Vessel, not fully operationalCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 17.2(b)(i) | $40.74 a week | |
| Fully operational vesselCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 17.2(b)(ii) | $86.64 a week | |
| Confined areas allowanceCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 17.2(c) | $1.80 an hour | |
| Hard-lying allowanceCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 17.2(d) | $34.57 a week | |
| Shipkeeping allowance | ||
| When vessel is not fully operational, Less remote areasClause 17.2(e)(ii) | $219.19 a week | |
| When vessel is not fully operational, Major portsClause 17.2(e)(ii) | $145.23 a week | |
| When vessel is not fully operational, Remote areasClause 17.2(e)(ii) | $329.51 a week | |
| When vessel is fully operational, Less remote areasClause 17.2(e)(iii) | $73.74 a week | |
| When vessel is fully operational, Remote areasClause 17.2(e)(iii) | $184.28 a week | |
| Radar observer's allowanceClause 17.2(f)(i) | $40.74 a week | |
| Firefighting certificate allowanceClause 17.2(g)(i) | $40.74 a week | |
| Additional allowance | ||
| Chief cook who orders stores and issues linenClause 17.2(h)(i) | $80.69 a week | |
| Second cook performing cleaning duties outside galley and storeroomsClause 17.2(h)(ii) | $57.57 a week | |
| Vessels proceeding from port to port allowanceClause 17.2(j)(i) | $159.03 per day or part thereof | |
To cover costs
| Allowance | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Vessels proceeding from port to port, personal accident policyClause 17.2(j)(iii) | $213,055.00 to the value of | |
| Meal allowance | ||
| More than 1.5 hours’ overtimeClause 17.3(a)(i) | $65.77 each time | |
| More than 1.5 hours’ overtime, second/subsequent mealClause 17.3(a)(ii) | $65.77 each time | |
| Protective and industrial clothing allowanceClause 17.3(b)(i) | $25.16 a week | |
| Accommodation allowance | ||
| Living away from agreed home port, per weekClause 17.3(d)(ii) | $631.97 a week | |
| Living away from agreed home port, per nightClause 17.3(d)(iii) | $237.46 a night | |
| Per weekClause 17.3(d)(iii) | $631.97 a week | |
| Victualling allowance | ||
| BreakfastClause 17.3(e)(ii) | $33.91 a day | |
| DinnerClause 17.3(e)(ii) | $65.77 a day | |
| LunchClause 17.3(e)(ii) | $42.39 a day | |
| Victualling allowanceClause 17.3(e)(iii) | $631.97 a week | |
| Travelling | ||
| Local, excess faresClause 17.3(f)(iii) | $15.88 a day | |
| Other than local, reimbursement of taxi fares, up to a maximumClause 17.3(g)(iv) | $155.09 each way per journey | |
The award is the final word
These are the minimum rates the Fair Work Commission publishes for the award. Shift rules, rostering and who each classification covers are in the award itself, and an enterprise agreement can set different pay. Employees no award or agreement covers get the National Minimum Wage: $26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026.
The awards most people look up
Questions people ask
- What is the minimum pay rate under the Dredging Industry Award?
- From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult rate is $28.27 an hour ($1,074.20 a week full time), for Assistant driller. The highest adult classification is $38.44 an hour.
- How does the Dredging Industry Award minimum compare?
- Its lowest adult rate is $28.27 an hour, 6.9% above the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 14 have a higher minimum.
- How much did Dredging Industry Award rates go up on 1 July 2026?
- The lowest adult rate rose 4.74%, from $26.99 to $28.27 an hour, in the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. The table shows each classification's rate before and after.
- What is the casual loading under the Dredging Industry Award?
- 25% on top of the ordinary hourly rate, paid instead of leave entitlements. For Assistant driller that makes $35.34 an hour.
- What allowances are paid under the Dredging Industry Award?
- 27 allowances have a dollar amount set by the Commission, including a dual certificate allowance, vessel, not fully operational of $40.74 a week, a dual certificate allowance, fully operational vessel of $86.64 a week and a confined areas allowance of $1.80 an hour. The full list, with the clause each comes from, is on this page.
- Where do these rates come from?
- The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database, which publishes every award's minimum rates; we read it when the Commission changes an award. The award itself prevails if the two ever differ, and an enterprise agreement can set different pay.
Source: Fair Work Commission, Modern Awards Pay Database, licensed CC BY 4.0, read 27 Oct 2026 and arranged by The Finance Algorithm. Not endorsed by the Fair Work Commission. Read with the award: if they differ, the award prevails. General information, not legal or payroll advice.