Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Enterprise Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000144)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Enterprise Award covers employees of ANSTO, the Commonwealth agency responsible for nuclear science, technology, and research in Australia. ANSTO operates the OPAL research reactor at Lucas Heights in Sydney, the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne, and various other nuclear science facilities. If you work at ANSTO as a scientist, engineer, technician, reactor operator, radiation protection officer, administrative officer, or facilities worker, this award sets your minimum pay and conditions.
This award is specific to ANSTO employees and does not cover employees of other Commonwealth agencies (covered by the Australian Public Service Enterprise Award MA000124) or private sector nuclear-related businesses.
How classification levels work
ANSTO uses a classification structure with multiple bands, from entry-level technical and administrative support through to senior scientific and engineering roles. Your classification is determined by the nature of your work, required qualifications, and level of responsibility. Reactor operators, radiation protection staff, and laboratory scientists each have specific classification pathways reflecting their specialist training.
What about shiftworkers?
ANSTO operates facilities that require 24/7 staffing, particularly the OPAL reactor and associated facilities. Shiftworkers receive additional penalties for afternoon, night, and continuous night shifts. Overtime rates apply for work beyond ordinary hours.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
| Band | Typical Duties | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Administrative support, laboratory assistant, general maintenance | $978.00 | $25.74 |
| Band 2 | Technical officer, trades assistant, senior admin | $1,058.60 | $27.86 |
| Band 3 | Scientist (early career), qualified tradesperson, reactor technician | $1,139.20 | $29.98 |
| Band 4 | Senior scientist, senior engineer, radiation protection officer | $1,262.00 | $33.21 |
| Band 5 | Principal scientist, section leader, senior reactor operator | $1,387.00 | $36.50 |
| Band 6 | Group leader, senior technical specialist | $1,520.00 | $40.00 |
Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38.
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.
Full-Time and Part-Time Employees (Day Workers)
| When you work | Penalty | Band 3 example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | Base rate (100%) | $29.98/hr |
| Saturday (all day) | 150% | $44.97/hr |
| Sunday (all day) | 200% | $59.96/hr |
| Public holiday (all day) | 250% | $74.95/hr |
| Overtime -- first 3 hours (Mon-Fri) | 150% | $44.97/hr |
| Overtime -- after 3 hours (Mon-Fri) | 200% | $59.96/hr |
| Overtime -- Saturday and Sunday (all day) | 200% | $59.96/hr |
Shiftworkers
| When you work | Penalty | Band 3 example |
|---|---|---|
| Day shift | Base rate (100%) | $29.98/hr |
| Night shift | 115% | $34.48/hr |
| Continuous night shift | 125% | $37.48/hr |
| Saturday | 150% | $44.97/hr |
| Sunday | 200% | $59.96/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% | $74.95/hr |
| Overtime -- first 3 hours (Mon-Sat) | 150% | $44.97/hr |
| Overtime -- after 3 hours (Mon-Sat) | 200% | $59.96/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the ordinary hours for ANSTO employees?
Ordinary hours for day workers are 7 hours 36 minutes per day (7.6 hours), totalling 38 hours per week. The standard bandwidth is 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday to Friday. Shiftworkers at facilities requiring 24/7 operation (such as the OPAL reactor) have ordinary hours rostered across all days and times, with shift penalties applying for evening, night, and weekend work.
2. Do reactor operators get higher shift penalties?
Reactor operators who work continuous night shifts receive a 125% loading, compared to 115% for standard night shifts. This reflects the continuous nature of reactor operations. All shiftworkers at ANSTO receive the same shift penalty structure, but the specific shifts rostered for reactor operations tend to include more night and weekend work, resulting in higher total pay through penalties.
3. What overtime rates apply on weekends?
Saturday and Sunday overtime is paid at 200% of the base rate for all hours worked. This is the same rate regardless of how many hours of overtime are worked. On public holidays, all hours are paid at 250%. For day workers, weekend work is always treated as overtime since ordinary hours only span Monday to Friday.
4. Are ANSTO scientists classified differently from administrative staff?
Yes. Scientists, engineers, and technical staff are typically classified at Band 3 and above, reflecting their tertiary qualifications and specialist expertise. Administrative and support staff are usually classified at Band 1 or Band 2. However, all ANSTO employees receive the same shift penalty percentages and overtime structures, regardless of their classification band.
5. Does this award cover ANSTO contractors?
No. This award only covers employees directly employed by ANSTO. Contractors, labour hire workers, and consultants engaged by ANSTO are covered by their own relevant awards or agreements. For example, a maintenance contractor working at the Lucas Heights site would be covered by the award applicable to their employer, not by this ANSTO-specific award.
Check Your Rate
Not sure if you are being paid correctly? Use our free pay rate calculator to check your exact rate based on your ANSTO classification band, employment type, and shift pattern.
Enter your details and get an instant breakdown of what you should be earning -- including shift loadings, overtime, and weekend penalties. Every result cites the specific award clause so you can verify it yourself.
Schema Markup Suggestions
FAQ Schema (FAQPage)
Apply FAQPage schema to the 5 FAQ questions and answers above.
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What are the ordinary hours for ANSTO employees under the ANSTO Enterprise Award?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Ordinary hours for day workers are 7 hours 36 minutes per day (7.6 hours), totalling 38 hours per week. The standard bandwidth is 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday to Friday."
}
}
]
}
Breadcrumb Schema
Home > Awards > ANSTO Enterprise Award (MA000144)
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.