Rail Industry Award pay rates
Award code MA000015, with rates in force from 1 July 2026.
Minimum pay for 22 adult classifications under the Rail Industry Award 2020, from 1 July 2026: $25.74 to $52.19 an hour before tax. Casuals get a 25% loading on top.
Lowest adult rate
$25.74an hour
For Level 1 Rail Worker (Op). $978.10 for a full-time week. Up 6.01% from $24.28. Casuals get $32.18 an hour, with the 25% loading.
Its lowest adult rate is $25.74 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 71 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 Rail Worker (CAP)$26.75
- Level 2 Rail Worker (CAP)$28.89
- Level 3 Rail Worker (CAP)$30.00
- Level 4 Rail Worker (CAP)$31.33
- Level 5 Rail Worker (CAP)$33.99
- Level 6 Rail Worker (CAP)$36.44
- Level 7 Rail Worker (CAP)$38.66
- Level 8 Rail Worker (CAP)$43.54
- Level 9 Rail Worker (CAP)$52.19
- Level 1 Rail Worker (Op)$25.74
- Level 2 Rail Worker (Op)$26.97
- Level 3 Rail Worker (Op)$29.78
- Level 4 Rail Worker (Op)$32.67
- Level 5 Rail Worker (Op)$35.77
- Level 6 Rail Worker (Op)$38.24
- Level 1 Rail Worker (TCI)$26.44
- Level 2 Rail Worker (TCI)$27.08
- Level 3 Rail Worker (TCI)$27.97
- Level 4 Rail Worker (TCI)$29.45
- Level 5 Rail Worker (TCI)$30.76
- Level 6 Rail Worker (TCI)$32.13
- Level 7 Rail Worker (TCI)$34.66
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 Level 1 Rail Worker (Op).
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early morning or afternoon | 100%$29.64 |
| Night | 100%$30.37 |
| Ordinary hours | 100%$25.74 |
| Permanent night | 100%$34.53 |
| Saturday | 150%$38.61 |
| Sunday | 200%$51.48 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Minimum pay by classification from 1 July 2026
Annual rates are full-time salaries; weekly rates are for a full-time week; hourly rates apply to full-time and part-time hours. Casual hourly adds the 25% loading.
Rail Workers - Clerical, Administration and ProfessionalClause 15.1(a)
| Classification | Annual | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Rail Worker (CAP) | $53,022 | $1,016.40 | $26.75 | $33.44 |
| Level 2 Rail Worker (CAP) | $57,269 | $1,097.80 | $28.89 | $36.11 |
| Level 3 Rail Worker (CAP) | $59,465 | $1,139.90 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| Level 4 Rail Worker (CAP) | $62,099 | $1,190.40 | $31.33 | $39.16 |
| Level 5 Rail Worker (CAP) | $67,389 | $1,291.80 | $33.99 | $42.49 |
| Level 6 Rail Worker (CAP) | $72,230 | $1,384.60 | $36.44 | $45.55 |
| Level 7 Rail Worker (CAP) | $76,628 | $1,468.90 | $38.66 | $48.32 |
| Level 8 Rail Worker (CAP) | $86,305 | $1,654.40 | $43.54 | $54.43 |
| Level 9 Rail Worker (CAP) | $103,457 | $1,983.20 | $52.19 | $65.24 |
Rail Workers - OperationsClause 15.1(b)
| Classification | Annual | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Rail Worker (Op) | $51,024 | $978.10 | $25.74 | $32.18 |
| Level 2 Rail Worker (Op) | $53,455 | $1,024.70 | $26.97 | $33.71 |
| Level 3 Rail Worker (Op) | $59,032 | $1,131.60 | $29.78 | $37.23 |
| Level 4 Rail Worker (Op) | $64,760 | $1,241.40 | $32.67 | $40.84 |
| Level 5 Rail Worker (Op) | $70,910 | $1,359.30 | $35.77 | $44.71 |
| Level 6 Rail Worker (Op) | $75,798 | $1,453.00 | $38.24 | $47.80 |
Rail Workers - Technical and Civil InfrastructureClause 15.1(c)
| Classification | Annual | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Rail Worker (TCI) | $52,422 | $1,004.90 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| Level 2 Rail Worker (TCI) | $53,680 | $1,029.00 | $27.08 | $33.85 |
| Level 3 Rail Worker (TCI) | $55,443 | $1,062.80 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Level 4 Rail Worker (TCI) | $58,380 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Level 5 Rail Worker (TCI) | $60,978 | $1,168.90 | $30.76 | $38.45 |
| Level 6 Rail Worker (TCI) | $63,690 | $1,220.90 | $32.13 | $40.16 |
| Level 7 Rail Worker (TCI) | $68,714 | $1,317.20 | $34.66 | $43.32 |
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 clerical, administration and professional (CAP) employees: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (CAP)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early morning or afternoon | 100%$30.65 |
| Night | 100%$31.38 |
| Ordinary hours | 100%$26.75 |
| Permanent night | 100%$35.54 |
| Saturday | 150%$40.13 |
| Sunday | 200%$53.50 |
| Public holiday | 250%$66.88 |
Full-time and part-time Operations (Op) employees: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (Op)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early morning or afternoon | 100%$29.64 |
| Night | 100%$30.37 |
| Ordinary hours | 100%$25.74 |
| Permanent night | 100%$34.53 |
| Saturday | 150%$38.61 |
| Sunday | 200%$51.48 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Full-time and part-time technical and civil infrastructure (TCI) employees: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (TCI)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early morning or afternoon | 100%$30.34 |
| Night | 100%$31.07 |
| Ordinary hours | 100%$26.44 |
| Permanent night | 100%$35.23 |
| Saturday | 150%$39.66 |
| Sunday | 200%$52.88 |
| Public holiday | 250%$66.10 |
Casual CAP employees: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (CAP)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early morning or afternoon | 100%$37.34 |
| Night | 100%$38.07 |
| Permanent night | 100%$42.23 |
| Ordinary hours | 125%$33.44 |
| Saturday | 175%$46.81 |
| Sunday | 225%$60.19 |
| Public holiday | 275%$73.56 |
Casual Ops employees: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (Op)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early morning or afternoon | 100%$36.08 |
| Night | 100%$36.81 |
| Permanent night | 100%$40.97 |
| Ordinary hours | 125%$32.18 |
| Saturday | 175%$45.05 |
| Sunday | 225%$57.92 |
| Public holiday | 275%$70.79 |
Casual TCI employees: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (TCI)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early morning or afternoon | 100%$36.95 |
| Night | 100%$37.68 |
| Permanent night | 100%$41.84 |
| Ordinary hours | 125%$33.05 |
| Saturday | 175%$46.27 |
| Sunday | 225%$59.49 |
| Public holiday | 275%$72.71 |
Overtime
Full-time and part-time CAP employees: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (CAP)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Saturday - all day | 150%$40.13 |
| Weekday - first 3 hours | 150%$40.13 |
| Sunday - all day | 200%$53.50 |
| Weekday - after 3 hours | 200%$53.50 |
| Public holiday - all day | 250%$66.88 |
Full-time and part-time Op employees: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (Op)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Saturday - all day | 150%$38.61 |
| Weekday - first 3 hours | 150%$38.61 |
| Sunday - all day | 200%$51.48 |
| Weekday - after 3 hours | 200%$51.48 |
| Public holiday - all day | 250%$64.35 |
Full-time and part-time TCI employees: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (TCI)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Saturday - all day | 150%$39.66 |
| Weekday - first 3 hours | 150%$39.66 |
| Sunday - all day | 200%$52.88 |
| Weekday - after 3 hours | 200%$52.88 |
| Public holiday - all day | 250%$66.10 |
Allowances paid on top
14 allowances are for the work itself, paid when the job calls for it, and 2 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| First aid allowanceClause 18.2(a) | $21.26 a week | |
| On-call allowance: For a day and nightClause 18.2(b)(i) | $36.49 per day and night | |
| On-call allowance: For a nightClause 18.2(b)(i) | $14.55 a night | |
| Wet placesClause 18.3(d)(i) | $0.85 an hour | |
| Confined spacesClause 18.3(e) | $1.12 an hour | |
| Dirty workClause 18.3(f) | $0.85 an hour | |
| Height moneyClause 18.3(g) | $0.62 an hour | |
| Insulation materialsClause 18.3(h) | $1.12 an hour | |
| Explosive powered tools | ||
| Per dayClause 18.3(i) | $2.21 a day | |
| Per hourClause 18.3(i) | $0.29 an hour | |
| Foundry allowanceClause 18.3(j)(i) | $0.65 an hour | |
| Early morning or afternoon shiftClause 21.2(a) | $3.90 an hour | |
| Night shiftClause 21.2(b) | $4.63 an hour | |
| Permanent night shiftClause 21.2(c) | $8.79 an hour | |
To cover costs
| Allowance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tool allowanceCounts towards overtime and penalty ratesClause 18.4(b)(i) | $20.86 a week |
| Meal allowanceClause 18.4(c) | $22.04 each time |
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 Rail Industry Award?
- From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult rate is $25.74 an hour ($978.10 a week full time), for Level 1 Rail Worker (Op). The highest adult classification is $52.19 an hour.
- How does the Rail Industry Award minimum compare?
- Its lowest adult rate is $25.74 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 71 have a higher minimum.
- How much did Rail Industry Award rates go up on 1 July 2026?
- The lowest adult rate rose 6.01%, from $24.28 to $25.74 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 Rail Industry Award?
- 25% on top of the ordinary hourly rate, paid instead of leave entitlements. For Level 1 Rail Worker (Op) that makes $32.18 an hour.
- What are Sunday rates under the Rail Industry Award?
- Full-time and part-time employees get 200% of the ordinary rate on Sunday: $53.50 an hour at Level 1 Rail Worker (CAP). Public holidays are 250%. Casual rates are in the penalty tables above.
- What allowances are paid under the Rail Industry Award?
- 16 allowances have a dollar amount set by the Commission, including a first aid allowance of $21.26 a week, an on-call allowance: For a day and night of $36.49 per day and night and an on-call allowance: For a night of $14.55 a night. 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.