Airservices Australia Enterprise Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000141)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Airservices Australia Enterprise Award covers employees of Airservices Australia, the government-owned corporation that provides air traffic control, aviation rescue, firefighting services, and aeronautical information management across Australian airspace. If you work as an air traffic controller, aviation rescue firefighter, technical officer, administrative employee, or support staff for Airservices Australia, this award is your safety net.
This is an enterprise award, meaning it covers only employees of Airservices Australia. It does not apply to airline employees, airport operators, or other aviation industry employers. Those employees fall under different awards such as the Airline Operations Ground Staff Award (MA000048) or the Air Pilots Award (MA000046).
Day workers vs shiftworkers
The award draws a clear line between day workers and shiftworkers. Day workers have standard Monday to Friday hours with overtime for any work outside those hours. Shiftworkers rotate through day, afternoon, and night shifts across 24/7 operations -- essential for continuous air traffic management and emergency response. The penalty rate structure differs significantly between these two categories.
High-skill classifications
Airservices roles, particularly air traffic control, attract higher base rates than many other awards due to the specialist training, licensing requirements, and critical safety responsibilities involved. Academy trainees start at the entry rate while undertaking initial training, with rates increasing substantially upon qualification and rating endorsements.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission.
Air Traffic Control Stream
| Classification | Typical Roles | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Trainee | Initial training, simulation exercises | $29.66 | $37.08 |
| ATC -- Tower Rating | Tower controller, aerodrome control | $38.55 | $48.19 |
| ATC -- Approach Rating | Approach controller, terminal area control | $42.68 | $53.35 |
| ATC -- En Route Rating | En route controller, area control | $46.28 | $57.85 |
| ATC -- Senior/Supervisor | Watch supervisor, operations manager | $52.48 | $65.60 |
Technical and Support Stream
| Classification | Typical Roles | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Officer Level 1 | Equipment technician, systems support | $28.23 | $35.29 |
| Technical Officer Level 2 | Senior technician, systems engineer | $32.33 | $40.41 |
| Administrative Level 1 | General admin, finance, HR support | $26.00 | $32.50 |
| Administrative Level 2 | Senior admin, project coordination | $29.18 | $36.48 |
Note: These classifications are indicative. Airservices Australia has a detailed classification structure within its enterprise award. Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25.
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.
Day Workers
| When you work | Penalty | Academy Trainee example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $29.66/hr |
| Saturday | 150% | $44.49/hr |
| Sunday | 200% | $59.32/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% | $74.15/hr |
| Overtime -- first 3 hours (Mon-Sat) | 150% | $44.49/hr |
| Overtime -- after 3 hours (Mon-Sat) | 200% | $59.32/hr |
| Overtime -- Sunday | 200% | $59.32/hr |
Shiftworkers
| When you work | Penalty | Academy Trainee example |
|---|---|---|
| Day shift | 100% | $29.66/hr |
| Night shift | 115% | $34.11/hr |
| Continuous night shift | 130% | $38.56/hr |
| Saturday | 150% | $44.49/hr |
| Sunday | 200% | $59.32/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% | $74.15/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Academy Trainee example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $37.08/hr |
| Night shift | 140% | $41.52/hr |
| Continuous night shift | 155% | $45.97/hr |
| Saturday | 175% | $51.91/hr |
| Sunday | 225% | $66.74/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% | $81.57/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. The loading is built into the multiplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this the same as the general aviation award?
No. This enterprise award is specific to Airservices Australia employees. General aviation workers (pilots, ground staff, maintenance engineers) are covered by separate awards such as the Air Pilots Award (MA000046), Airline Operations Ground Staff Award (MA000048), and Aircraft Cabin Crew Award (MA000047). This award applies only to the government corporation that manages Australian airspace.
2. How are air traffic controller ratings reflected in pay?
Air traffic controllers progress through ratings (Tower, Approach, En Route) as they gain qualifications and endorsements. Each rating level carries a higher base rate. Progression requires completion of formal training, simulation assessments, and on-the-job competency evaluations. You cannot simply request a higher rating -- it must be earned through the qualification pathway administered by Airservices Australia and approved by CASA.
3. What shift patterns do Airservices shiftworkers typically work?
Airservices operates 24/7 across major and regional air traffic control towers and centres. Shiftworkers typically rotate through day, afternoon, and night shifts on a roster cycle. The night shift loading (115% for standard night, 130% for continuous night) reflects the health and lifestyle impact of regular night work. Roster patterns vary by location and operational requirements.
4. Do Airservices employees get overtime on top of shift penalties?
Overtime for shiftworkers is calculated on the base rate, not the shift-loaded rate. When overtime coincides with a shift that would attract a penalty, you receive the higher of the two rates -- they do not stack. For example, if you work overtime during a night shift, you receive the overtime rate (150% or 200%) because it is higher than the night shift loading (115% or 130%).
5. Are there fatigue management provisions?
Yes. Given the safety-critical nature of air traffic control, the award and Airservices operational policies include strict fatigue management provisions. These include minimum break periods between shifts, limits on consecutive night shifts, and requirements for adequate rest. If your employer asks you to work a shift pattern that breaches these provisions, you have the right to refuse on safety grounds.
Check Your Rate
Working for Airservices Australia? Use our free calculator to check your exact rate based on your classification, rating level, and shift pattern.
Select your stream (air traffic control, technical, administrative, or firefighting), enter your classification and shift details, and get a breakdown of your exact pay -- including the continuous night shift loading and public holiday premiums.
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Home > Awards > Airservices Australia Enterprise Award (MA000141)
Rates current as of 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission, CC BY 4.0. This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Always verify rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at calculate.fairwork.gov.au.