Mobile Crane Hiring Award pay rates
Award code MA000032, with rates in force from 1 July 2026.
Minimum pay for 7 adult classifications under the Mobile Crane Hiring Award 2020, from 1 July 2026: $29.45 to $35.38 an hour before tax. Casuals get a 25% loading on top.
Lowest adult rate
$29.45an hour
For Level 1 (MCE1). $1,119.10 for a full-time week. Up 4.73% from $28.12. Casuals get $36.81 an hour, with the 25% loading.
Its lowest adult rate is $29.45 an hour, 11.4% above the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 6 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- Level 1 (MCE1)$29.45
- Level 2 (MCE2)$30.38
- Level 3 (MCE3)$31.30
- Level 4 (MCE4)$32.13
- Level 5 (MCE5)$33.77
- Level 6 (MCE6)$34.46
- Level 7 (MCE7)$35.38
Hover or tap a row for last year's rate. Every rate, in every unit, is in the tables below.
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.
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (MCE1) | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Level 2 (MCE2) | $1,154.30 | $30.38 | $37.98 |
| Level 3 (MCE3) | $1,189.40 | $31.30 | $39.13 |
| Level 4 (MCE4) | $1,221.10 | $32.13 | $40.16 |
| Level 5 (MCE5) | $1,283.10 | $33.77 | $42.21 |
| Level 6 (MCE6) | $1,309.50 | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| Level 7 (MCE7) | $1,344.50 | $35.38 | $44.23 |
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 employees other than shiftworkers: ordinary rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 (MCE1)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$31.13 |
Casual employees: ordinary rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 (MCE1)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 125%$38.91 |
Shiftwork
Full-time shiftworkers: shiftwork rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 (MCE1)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Afternoon shift | 115%$35.80 |
| Day shift | 115%$35.80 |
| Night shift | 115%$35.80 |
| Non-successive afternoon or night shifts - First 2 hours | 150%$46.70 |
| Non-successive afternoon or night shifts - After 2 hours | 200%$62.26 |
| Sunday | 200%$62.26 |
| Public holiday | 250%$77.83 |
Casual shiftworkers: shiftwork rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 (MCE1)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Afternoon shift | 140%$43.58 |
| Day shift | 140%$43.58 |
| Night shift | 140%$43.58 |
| Non-successive afternoon or night shifts First 2 hours | 175%$54.48 |
| Non-successive afternoon or night shifts After 2 hours | 225%$70.04 |
| Sunday | 225%$70.04 |
| Public holiday | 275%$85.61 |
Overtime
Full-time employees: overtime
Dollars an hour at Level 1 (MCE1)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Other than shiftworkers: Monday–Friday & Saturday before 12 noon - First 2 hours | 150%$46.70 |
| Shiftworkers only: Saturday before 12 noon - First 2 hours | 150%$46.70 |
| All employees: Sunday - All time worked | 200%$62.26 |
| Other than shiftworkers: Monday–Friday & Saturday before 12 noon - After 2 hours | 200%$62.26 |
| Other than shiftworkers: Saturday after 12 noon - All time worked | 200%$62.26 |
| Shiftworkers only: All work outside the ordinary hours of shiftwork | 200%$62.26 |
| Shiftworkers only: Saturday - After 2 hour or after 12 noon | 200%$62.26 |
| All employees: Public holiday | 250%$77.83 |
Juniors, apprentices and other arrangements
Rates that depend on age, training or another arrangement. Open a group to see its rates.
National Training Wage Level ATrainee ratesClause E.4.1(a)15 rates
| Classification | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Year 10School leaver | $432.30 |
| Year 10Plus 1 year out of school | $476.00 |
| Year 10Plus 2 years out of school | $566.20 |
| Year 10Plus 3 years out of school | $658.90 |
| Year 10Plus 4 years out of school | $766.80 |
| Year 10Plus 5 or more years out of school | $877.80 |
| Year 11School leaver | $476.00 |
| Year 11Plus 1 year out of school | $566.20 |
| Year 11Plus 2 years out of school | $658.90 |
| Year 11Plus 3 years out of school | $766.80 |
| Year 11Plus 4 years out of school | $877.80 |
| Year 12School leaver | $566.20 |
| Year 12Plus 1 year out of school | $658.90 |
| Year 12Plus 2 years out of school | $766.80 |
| Year 12Plus 3 years out of school | $877.80 |
National Training Wage Level BTrainee ratesClause E.4.1(b)15 rates
| Classification | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Year 10School leaver | $432.30 |
| Year 10Plus 1 year out of school | $476.00 |
| Year 10Plus 2 years out of school | $551.70 |
| Year 10Plus 3 years out of school | $634.70 |
| Year 10Plus 4 years out of school | $744.40 |
| Year 10Plus 5 or more years out of school | $848.90 |
| Year 11School leaver | $476.00 |
| Year 11Plus 1 year out of school | $551.70 |
| Year 11Plus 2 years out of school | $634.70 |
| Year 11Plus 3 years out of school | $744.40 |
| Year 11Plus 4 years out of school | $848.90 |
| Year 12School leaver | $551.70 |
| Year 12Plus 1 year out of school | $634.70 |
| Year 12Plus 2 years out of school | $744.40 |
| Year 12Plus 3 years out of school | $848.90 |
National Training Wage - AQF Certificate Level IV traineeshipsTrainee ratesClause E.4.1(c)(ii)4 rates
| Classification | Weekly |
|---|---|
| First year of traineeshipWage Level A | $911.10 |
| First year of traineeshipWage Level B | $881.20 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipWage Level A | $945.70 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipWage Level B | $914.70 |
National Training Wage - part-time traineeships - Wage Level ATrainee ratesClause E.4.2(a)15 rates
| Classification | Hourly |
|---|---|
| Year 10School leaver | $14.21 |
| Year 10Plus 1 year out of school | $15.66 |
| Year 10Plus 2 years out of school | $18.61 |
| Year 10Plus 3 years out of school | $21.67 |
| Year 10Plus 4 years out of school | $25.21 |
| Year 10Plus 5 or more years out of school | $28.88 |
| Year 11School leaver | $15.66 |
| Year 11Plus 1 year out of school | $18.61 |
| Year 11Plus 2 years out of school | $21.67 |
| Year 11Plus 3 years out of school | $25.21 |
| Year 11Plus 4 years out of school | $28.88 |
| Year 12School leaver | $18.61 |
| Year 12Plus 1 year out of school | $21.67 |
| Year 12Plus 2 years out of school | $25.21 |
| Year 12Plus 3 years out of school | $28.88 |
National Training Wage - part-time traineeships - Wage Level BTrainee ratesClause E.4.2(b)15 rates
| Classification | Hourly |
|---|---|
| Year 10School leaver | $14.21 |
| Year 10Plus 1 year out of school | $15.66 |
| Year 10Plus 2 years out of school | $18.16 |
| Year 10Plus 3 years out of school | $20.88 |
| Year 10Plus 4 years out of school | $24.49 |
| Year 10Plus 5 or more years out of school | $27.93 |
| Year 11School leaver | $15.66 |
| Year 11Plus 1 year out of school | $18.16 |
| Year 11Plus 2 years out of school | $20.88 |
| Year 11Plus 3 years out of school | $24.49 |
| Year 11Plus 4 years out of school | $27.93 |
| Year 12School leaver | $18.16 |
| Year 12Plus 1 year out of school | $20.88 |
| Year 12Plus 2 years out of school | $24.49 |
| Year 12Plus 3 years out of school | $27.93 |
National Training Wage - School-based traineeshipsTrainee ratesClause E.4.2(c)2 rates
| Classification | Hourly |
|---|---|
| Year 11 or lower | $14.21 |
| Year 12 | $15.66 |
National Training Wage - AQF Certificate Level IV traineeshipsTrainee ratesClause E.4.2(d)(ii)4 rates
| Classification | Hourly |
|---|---|
| First year of traineeshipWage Level A | $29.98 |
| First year of traineeshipWage Level B | $28.99 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipWage Level A | $31.10 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipWage Level B | $30.08 |
Allowances paid on top
6 allowances are for the work itself, paid when the job calls for it, and 7 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose industry allowanceCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 16.2 | $63.79 a week | |
| Multi crane lift allowance | ||
| Where 2 cranes are engagedClause 18.2(b) | $4.74 a day | |
| Where 3 cranes are engagedClause 18.2(b) | $9.39 a day | |
| Where 4 cranes are engagedClause 18.2(b) | $14.05 a day | |
| Where more than 4 cranes are engagedClause 18.2(b) | $18.79 a day | |
| Pile driving allowanceClause 18.2(c) | $23.00 per day or part thereof | |
To cover costs
| Allowance | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Meal allowance | ||
| Overtime for more than 1.5 hours after ordinary hoursClause 15.2(d) | $19.74 a meal | |
| Start work 2 or more hours prior to normal commencementClause 15.2(e) | $19.74 a meal | |
| Protective clothing | ||
| Purchase of safety footwearClause 18.3(a)(ii) | $85.38 each time | |
| Purchase of Bluey JacketClause 18.3(a)(v) | $85.38 each time | |
| Fares and travel allowance, travel patternsClause 18.3(c)(i) | $22.41 a day | |
| Car allowanceClause 18.3(d)(i) | $1.00 a km | |
| Accommodation and overnight allowanceClause 18.3(e)(i)(A) | $102.92 a day | |
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.
Questions people ask
- What is the minimum pay rate under the Mobile Crane Hiring Award?
- From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult rate is $29.45 an hour ($1,119.10 a week full time), for Level 1 (MCE1). The highest adult classification is $35.38 an hour. Trainee rates, further down, can be lower.
- How does the Mobile Crane Hiring Award minimum compare?
- Its lowest adult rate is $29.45 an hour, 11.4% above the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 6 have a higher minimum.
- How much did Mobile Crane Hiring Award rates go up on 1 July 2026?
- The lowest adult rate rose 4.73%, from $28.12 to $29.45 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 Mobile Crane Hiring Award?
- 25% on top of the ordinary hourly rate, paid instead of leave entitlements. For Level 1 (MCE1) that makes $36.81 an hour.
- What allowances are paid under the Mobile Crane Hiring Award?
- 13 allowances have a dollar amount set by the Commission, including an all-purpose industry allowance of $63.79 a week, a multi crane lift allowance, where 2 cranes are engaged of $4.74 a day and a multi crane lift allowance, where 3 cranes are engaged of $9.39 a day. 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.