Sugar Industry Award pay rates
Award code MA000087, with rates in force from 1 July 2026.
Minimum pay for 44 adult classifications under the Sugar Industry Award 2020, from 1 July 2026: $25.74 to $36.30 an hour before tax. Casuals get a 25% loading on top.
Lowest adult rate
$25.74an hour
For CPT (Inductee/Trainee). $978.10 for a full-time week. Up 5.02% from $24.51. 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 group of classifications
Dollars an hour, from 1 July 2026- Field, experiment stations and cane tester employees26 classifications$25.74 to $34.68
- Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employees9 classifications$25.74 to $33.77
- Clause 19.4(a)1 classification$30.72
- Clause 19.4(b)1 classification$33.31
- Bulk terminal employees7 classifications$25.74 to $36.30
Every classification in each group is in the tables below.
Penalty rates at a glance
Percent of the ordinary rate, and dollars an hour at C14/L2.
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$25.74 | 125%$32.18 |
| Monday to Friday - First 3 hours | 150%$38.61 | 175%$45.05 |
| Monday to Friday - After 3 hours | 200%$51.48 | 225%$57.92 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 | 275%$70.79 |
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.
Field, experiment stations and cane tester employeesClause 17.1
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum hourly rateCHART (Inductee/Trainee) | $1,044.90 | $27.50 | $34.38 |
| Minimum hourly rateCHAUT (Inductee/Trainee) | $1,021.50 | $26.88 | $33.60 |
| Minimum hourly rateCPT (Inductee/Trainee) | $978.10 | $25.74 | $32.18 |
| Minimum hourly rateCT1 (Level 1) | $1,004.90 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| Minimum hourly rateCHAR1 (Level 1) | $1,079.40 | $28.41 | $35.51 |
| Minimum hourly rateCHAU1 (Level 1) | $1,044.90 | $27.50 | $34.38 |
| Minimum hourly rateCP1 (Level 1) | $1,044.90 | $27.50 | $34.38 |
| Minimum hourly rateCT2 (Level 2) | $1,025.70 | $26.99 | $33.74 |
| Minimum hourly rateCHAR2 (Level 2) | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Minimum hourly rateCHAU2 (Level 2) | $1,079.40 | $28.41 | $35.51 |
| Minimum hourly rateCP2 (Level 2) | $1,079.40 | $28.41 | $35.51 |
| Minimum hourly rateCT3 (Level 3) | $1,079.40 | $28.41 | $35.51 |
| Minimum hourly rateCT4 (Level 4) | $1,146.20 | $30.16 | $37.70 |
| Single contract hourly rateCHART (Inductee/Trainee) | $1,044.90 | $31.63 | $39.54 |
| Single contract hourly rateCHAUT (Inductee/Trainee) | $1,021.50 | $30.91 | $38.64 |
| Single contract hourly rateCPT (Inductee/Trainee) | $978.10 | $29.60 | $37.00 |
| Single contract hourly rateCT1 (Level 1) | $1,004.90 | $30.41 | $38.01 |
| Single contract hourly rateCHAR1 (Level 1) | $1,079.40 | $32.67 | $40.84 |
| Single contract hourly rateCHAU1 (Level 1) | $1,044.90 | $31.63 | $39.54 |
| Single contract hourly rateCP1 (Level 1) | $1,044.90 | $31.63 | $39.54 |
| Single contract hourly rateCT2 (Level 2) | $1,025.70 | $31.04 | $38.80 |
| Single contract hourly rateCHAR2 (Level 2) | $1,119.10 | $33.87 | $42.34 |
| Single contract hourly rateCHAU2 (Level 2) | $1,079.40 | $32.67 | $40.84 |
| Single contract hourly rateCP2 (Level 2) | $1,079.40 | $32.67 | $40.84 |
| Single contract hourly rateCT3 (Level 3) | $1,079.40 | $32.67 | $40.84 |
| Single contract hourly rateCT4 (Level 4) | $1,146.20 | $34.68 | $43.35 |
Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employeesClause 19.1
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| C14/L2 | $978.10 | $25.74 | $32.18 |
| C13/L3 | $1,004.90 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| C12/L4 | $1,029.10 | $27.08 | $33.85 |
| C11/L5 | $1,062.90 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| C10/L6 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| C9/L7 | $1,154.30 | $30.38 | $37.98 |
| C8/L8 | $1,189.40 | $31.30 | $39.13 |
| C7/L9 | $1,221.10 | $32.13 | $40.16 |
| C6 | $1,283.10 | $33.77 | $42.21 |
Other classificationsClause 19.4(a)
| Classification | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Supervisor/Trainer/Coordinator Level I | $30.72 | $38.40 |
Other classificationsClause 19.4(b)
| Classification | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Supervisor/Trainer/Coordinator Level II | $33.31 | $41.64 |
Bulk terminal employeesClause 21.1
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT1 | $978.10 | $25.74 | $32.18 |
| BT2 | $1,004.90 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| BT3 | $1,050.70 | $27.65 | $34.56 |
| BT4 | $1,111.10 | $29.24 | $36.55 |
| BT5 | $1,134.20 | $29.85 | $37.31 |
| BT6 | $1,209.50 | $31.83 | $39.79 |
| BT7 | $1,379.50 | $36.30 | $45.38 |
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
Adult milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employees other than shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at C14/L2
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$25.74 | 125%$32.18 |
| Monday to Friday - First 3 hours | 150%$38.61 | 175%$45.05 |
| Monday to Friday - After 3 hours | 200%$51.48 | 225%$57.92 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 | 275%$70.79 |
Full-time and part-time bulk terminal operations employees other than shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at BT1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$25.74 |
| Monday to Friday - Overtime | 200%$51.48 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Field work employees other than shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at CPT (Inductee/Trainee)
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 100%$25.74 | 125%$32.18 |
| Weekend | 150%$38.61 | 175%$45.05 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 | 275%$70.79 |
Casual bulk terminals operations employees other than shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at BT1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | 125%$32.18 |
| Monday to Friday - Overtime | 250%$64.35 |
| Public holiday | 275%$70.79 |
Shiftwork
Adult full-time and part-time milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employees shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at C14/L2
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Day | 100%$25.74 |
| Afternoon or night | 115%$29.60 |
| Non-rotating shiftwork | 130%$33.46 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Adult milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employees shiftworkers: sugar mills, weekend rates
Dollars an hour at C14/L2
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous shiftworkers, weekend work - Day shift | 150%$38.61 | 175%$45.05 |
| 5 day roster, final shift of roster on Sat morning - Rotating afternoon/ night shift | 165%$42.47 | 190%$48.91 |
| Continuous shiftworkers, weekend work - Rotating afternoon/night shift | 165%$42.47 | 190%$48.91 |
| 5 day roster, final shift of roster on Sat morning - Non-rotating afternoon/ night shift | 180%$46.33 | 205%$52.77 |
| Continuous shiftworkers, weekend work- Non-rotating afternoon/night shift | 180%$46.33 | 205%$52.77 |
Full-time and part-time bulk terminal operations shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at BT1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Day | 100%$25.74 |
| Afternoon or night | 115%$29.60 |
| Continuous afternoon or night shift or no rotation to day shift | 130%$33.46 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Full-time and part-time field work shiftworkers: ordinary, penalty rates and overtime
Dollars an hour at CPT (Inductee/Trainee)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Day | 100%$25.74 |
| Afternoon | 112.5%$28.96 |
| Night | 115%$29.60 |
| Overtime - Monday to Sunday | 200%$51.48 |
| Public Holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Adult casual milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employees shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at C14/L2
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Day | 125%$32.18 |
| Afternoon or night | 140%$36.04 |
| Other than day shift | 155%$39.90 |
| Public holiday | 275%$70.79 |
Casual bulk terminals operations shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at BT1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Day | 125%$32.18 |
| Afternoon or night | 140%$36.04 |
| Other than day shift Continuous afternoon or night shift or no rotation to day shift | 155%$39.90 |
| Public Holiday | 275%$70.79 |
Casual field work shiftworkers: ordinary and penalty rates
Dollars an hour at CPT (Inductee/Trainee)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Day | 125%$32.18 |
| Afternoon | 137.5%$35.39 |
| Night | 140%$36.04 |
| Public holiday | 275%$70.79 |
Overtime
Adult full-time and part-time milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employees other than shiftworkers: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at C14/L2
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday or rostered day off - First 3 Hours | 150%$38.61 |
| Monday to Saturday or rostered day off - After 3 Hours | 200%$51.48 |
| Sunday - all day | 200%$51.48 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Adult full-time and part-time milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employees shiftworkers: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at C14/L2
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Shiftwork | 200%$51.48 |
| Weekend shift | 225%$57.92 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Full-time and part-time bulk terminal operations: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at BT1
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monday to Sunday | 200%$51.48 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Full-time and part-time field work employees other than shiftworkers: overtime rates
Dollars an hour at CPT (Inductee/Trainee)
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday - First 3 hours | 150%$38.61 |
| Monday to Saturday - After 3 hours | 200%$51.48 |
| Sunday - all day | 200%$51.48 |
| Public holiday | 250%$64.35 |
Juniors, apprentices and other arrangements
Rates that depend on age, training or another arrangement. Open a group to see its rates.
Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employees - Apprentices commencing an apprenticeship on and from 1 January 2014Adult apprentice ratesClause 19.74 rates
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Adult apprentice aged 21+Stage 1, 80 | $895.28 | $23.56 |
| Adult apprentice aged 21+Stage 2, C14 | $978.10 | $25.74 |
| Adult apprentice aged 21+Stage 3, C13 | $1,004.90 | $26.44 |
| Adult apprentice aged 21+Stage 4, C12 | $1,029.10 | $27.08 |
Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance employees - Apprentices commencing an apprenticeship on and from 1 January 2014Apprentice ratesClause 19.78 rates
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Has completed year 12Stage 1, 55 | $615.51 | $16.20 |
| Has completed year 12Stage 2, 65 | $727.42 | $19.14 |
| Has completed year 12Stage 3, 75 | $839.33 | $22.09 |
| Has completed year 12Stage 4, C12 | $1,029.10 | $27.08 |
| Has not completed year 12Stage 1, 50 | $559.55 | $14.73 |
| Has not completed year 12Stage 2, 60 | $671.46 | $17.67 |
| Has not completed year 12Stage 3, 75 | $839.33 | $22.09 |
| Has not completed year 12Stage 4, 88 | $984.81 | $25.92 |
Bulk terminal employees - Apprentices commencing an apprenticeship on and after 1 January 2014Adult apprentice ratesClause 21.34 rates
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Adult apprentice aged 21+Stage 1, 80 | $967.60 | $25.46 |
| Adult apprentice aged 21+Stage 2, BT1 - but no lower than first year rate | $978.10 | $25.74 |
| Adult apprentice aged 21+Stage 3, BT2 | $1,004.90 | $26.44 |
| Adult apprentice aged 21+Stage 4, 88 | $1,064.36 | $28.01 |
Bulk terminal employees - Apprentices commencing an apprenticeship on and after 1 January 2014Apprentice ratesClause 21.38 rates
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Has completed year 12Stage 1, 55 | $665.23 | $17.51 |
| Has completed year 12Stage 2, 65 | $786.18 | $20.69 |
| Has completed year 12Stage 3, 75 | $907.13 | $23.87 |
| Has completed year 12Stage 4, 88 | $1,064.36 | $28.01 |
| Has not completed year 12Stage 1, 50 | $604.75 | $15.91 |
| Has not completed year 12Stage 2, 60 | $725.70 | $19.10 |
| Has not completed year 12Stage 3, 75 | $907.13 | $23.87 |
| Has not completed year 12Stage 4, 88 | $1,064.36 | $28.01 |
National Training Wage Level ATrainee ratesClause H.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 H.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 Level CTrainee ratesClause H.4.1(c)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 | $623.90 |
| Year 10Plus 4 years out of school | $697.00 |
| Year 10Plus 5 or more years out of school | $776.40 |
| Year 11School leaver | $476.00 |
| Year 11Plus 1 year out of school | $551.70 |
| Year 11Plus 2 years out of school | $623.90 |
| Year 11Plus 3 years out of school | $697.00 |
| Year 11Plus 4 years out of school | $776.40 |
| Year 12School leaver | $551.70 |
| Year 12Plus 1 year out of school | $623.90 |
| Year 12Plus 2 years out of school | $697.00 |
| Year 12Plus 3 years out of school | $776.40 |
National Training Wage - AQF Certificate Level IV traineeshipsTrainee ratesClause H.4.1(d)(ii)6 rates
| Classification | Weekly |
|---|---|
| First year of traineeshipC | $805.90 |
| First year of traineeshipB | $881.20 |
| First year of traineeshipA | $911.10 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipC | $836.40 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipB | $914.70 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipA | $945.70 |
National Training Wage - part-time traineeships - Wage Level ATrainee ratesClause H.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 H.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 - part-time traineeships - Wage Level CTrainee ratesClause H.4.2(c)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 | $20.51 |
| Year 10Plus 4 years out of school | $22.93 |
| Year 10Plus 5 or more years out of school | $25.53 |
| Year 11School leaver | $15.66 |
| Year 11Plus 1 year out of school | $18.16 |
| Year 11Plus 2 years out of school | $20.51 |
| Year 11Plus 3 years out of school | $22.93 |
| Year 11Plus 4 years out of school | $25.53 |
| Year 12School leaver | $18.16 |
| Year 12Plus 1 year out of school | $20.51 |
| Year 12Plus 2 years out of school | $22.93 |
| Year 12Plus 3 years out of school | $25.53 |
National Training Wage - School-based traineeshipsTrainee ratesClause H.4.2(d)2 rates
| Classification | Hourly |
|---|---|
| Year 11 or lower | $14.21 |
| Year 12 | $15.66 |
National Training Wage - AQF Certificate Level IV traineeshipsTrainee ratesClause H.4.2(e)(ii)6 rates
| Classification | Hourly |
|---|---|
| First year of traineeshipC | $26.51 |
| First year of traineeshipB | $28.99 |
| First year of traineeshipA | $29.98 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipC | $27.52 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipB | $30.08 |
| Second and subsequent year of traineeshipA | $31.10 |
Allowances paid on top
43 allowances are for the work itself, paid when the job calls for it, and 31 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Field sector: Work in water and cleaning drainsClause 18.2(a) | $1.32 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Applying obnoxious substancesClause 20.2(a)(i) | $1.03 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Repair work, tradespersonsClause 20.2(aa) | $1.03 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Working with or in close proximity to asbestos allowanceClause 20.2(b)(i) | $0.97 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Shot blast or sand blastClause 20.2(bb) | $0.75 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Spot welding mill rollers | ||
| In operation while crushing in progressClause 20.2(cc)(i) | $5.85 an hour | |
| During crushing season while crushing not in progressClause 20.2(cc)(ii) | $2.94 an hour | |
| Automatic spot welding during crushing season while crushing in progressClause 20.2(cc)(iii) | $2.98 an hour | |
| Automatic spot welding during crushing season while crushing not in progressClause 20.2(cc)(iv) | $1.49 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Boiler cleaning, engine driverClause 20.2(d)(i) | $2.41 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Brick cuttingClause 20.2(e) | $0.75 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Work in water and cleaning drains at a depth of 76.2cm or moreClause 20.2(ee) | $0.66 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Carting and/or handling cementClause 20.2(f)(i) | $4.58 a day | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Chimney stacks | ||
| Cleaning and tarring or painting, first 4 hoursClause 20.2(g)(i) | $6.11 per first 4 hours or any portion thereof | |
| Cleaning and tarring or painting, per hour thereafterClause 20.2(g)(ii) | $1.25 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Chipping rollers with pneumatic chisels | ||
| Minimum per dayClause 20.2(h) | $5.63 minimum per day | |
| Per hourClause 20.2(h) | $1.11 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Cleaner, greaser or oiler, stops or starts engine under supervisionClause 20.2(i) | $43.59 a week | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Cleaning dirty machineryClause 20.2(j) | $0.75 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Cleaning dirty molasses tanksClause 20.2(k) | $0.75 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Cleaning under carrierClause 20.2(l) | $0.75 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Confined spacesClause 20.2(m) | $1.03 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Employee handling building blocks | ||
| Over 5.5 kg to 9 kgClause 20.2(n)(i) | $0.85 an hour | |
| Over 9 kg to 18 kgClause 20.2(n)(ii) | $1.45 an hour | |
| Over 18 kgClause 20.2(n)(iii) | $2.11 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: First aid allowanceClause 20.2(o) | $17.55 a week | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Grinding shredder hammer, minimum of 4 hoursClause 20.2(p) | $0.67 per hour with 4 hour minimum | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Handling molassesClause 20.2(q) | $0.82 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Height money | ||
| 15.24 m to 22.86 mClause 20.2(r)(i) | $0.49 an hour | |
| More than 22.86 mClause 20.2(r)(ii) | $0.75 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: High pressure cleaning machineClause 20.2(s) | $0.75 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Crushing season, juice superheatersClause 20.2(u)(i) | $1.00 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Insulation work | ||
| Working in dust-laden atmosphere, insulating, deafening or pugging workClause 20.2(v)(i) | $1.03 an hour | |
| Handling charcoal, pumice, slagwool, insulwool or other loose materialClause 20.2(v)(ii) | $0.97 an hour | |
| Using hot bitumen or fixing insulation materials with hot bitumenClause 20.2(v)(iii) | $1.03 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Lagging steam pipesClause 20.2(w) | $0.75 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Operating jackhammers | ||
| Minimum per dayClause 20.2(x) | $3.86 minimum per day | |
| Per hourClause 20.2(x) | $0.75 an hour | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Pressure welding allowanceClause 20.2(y) | $37.38 a week | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Re-bagging lime | ||
| General mill workersClause 20.2(z)(i) | $0.82 an hour | |
| Shovelling or handling bagged lime, all workersClause 20.2(z)(ii) | $0.82 an hour | |
| Bulk sugar terminal operations: First aid allowanceClause 22.2(a) | $29.19 a week | |
| Bulk sugar terminal operations: Workplace co-ordinators allowanceClause 22.2(b) | $0.49 an hour | |
To cover costs
| Allowance | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Field sector: Vehicle allowanceClause 18.3(a) | $1.00 a km | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Meal allowance, overtimeClause 20.3(a) | $19.14 each time | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Tool allowance, tradespersonsClause 20.3(b) | $26.15 a week | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Annual value of tools | ||
| Assembly and Servicing Tradesperson - ElectricalClause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Electricity Supply TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Engineering Tradesperson (Electrical)Clause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Engineering Tradesperson (Electronic)Clause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Engineering Tradesperson (Fabrication)Clause 20.3(c)(i) | $395.12 annual | |
| Engineering Tradesperson (Mechanical)Clause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Higher Engineering TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Instrumentation TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Other tradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $395.12 annual | |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Systems and Instrumentation TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Systems ElectricianClause 20.3(c)(i) | $526.82 annual | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Total retail value of tools | ||
| Assembly and Servicing Tradesperson - ElectricalClause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,107.00 Total retail value | |
| Electricity Supply TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,107.00 Total retail value | |
| Engineering Tradesperson (Electrical)Clause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,107.00 Total retail value | |
| Engineering Tradesperson (Electronic)Clause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,107.00 Total retail value | |
| Engineering Tradesperson (Fabrication)Clause 20.3(c)(i) | $1,580.00 Total retail value | |
| Engineering Tradesperson (Mechanical)Clause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,107.00 Total retail value | |
| Higher Engineering TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,634.00 Total retail value | |
| Instrumentation TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,107.00 Total retail value | |
| Other tradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $1,580.00 Total retail value | |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,107.00 Total retail value | |
| Systems and Instrumentation TradespersonClause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,107.00 Total retail value | |
| Systems ElectricianClause 20.3(c)(i) | $2,107.00 Total retail value | |
| Milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Vehicle allowanceClause 20.3(e) | $1.00 a km | |
| Bulk sugar terminal operations: Meal allowance, overtimeClause 22.3(a) | $23.98 each time | |
| Bulk sugar terminal operations: Tool allowance, tradespersonsClause 22.3(b) | $29.00 a week | |
| Bulk sugar terminal operations: Vehicle allowanceClause 22.3(c) | $1.00 a km | |
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 Sugar Industry Award?
- From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult rate is $25.74 an hour ($978.10 a week full time), for CPT (Inductee/Trainee). The highest adult classification is $36.30 an hour. Adult apprentice, apprentice and trainee rates, further down, can be lower.
- How does the Sugar 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 Sugar Industry Award rates go up on 1 July 2026?
- The lowest adult rate rose 5.02%, from $24.51 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 Sugar Industry Award?
- 25% on top of the ordinary hourly rate, paid instead of leave entitlements. For CPT (Inductee/Trainee) that makes $32.18 an hour.
- What allowances are paid under the Sugar Industry Award?
- 74 allowances have a dollar amount set by the Commission, including a field sector: Work in water and cleaning drains of $1.32 an hour, a milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Applying obnoxious substances of $1.03 an hour and a milling, distillery, refinery and maintenance: Repair work, tradespersons of $1.03 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.