Aquaculture Industry 2025 Pay Rates (MA000114)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Aquaculture Industry covers employees in the aquaculture industry, including fish farm workers, hatchery technicians, oyster farm workers, prawn farm operators, and marine farm hands. If you work growing fish, shellfish, or other aquatic organisms in a farming operation, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 6,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover commercial fishers (who are typically self-employed), seafood processing workers (Seafood Processing Award, MA000068), or marine research scientists at universities. See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications cover roles from general aquaculture worker through to experienced technician, trades worker, and supervisor. Shiftworkers (continuous and non-continuous) have specific provisions.

Key features of this award

Aquaculture operations may require continuous monitoring of fish stocks and water quality. The award includes provisions for continuous and non-continuous shiftwork, with different overtime rates. Non-successive shift penalties also apply.

Classification Levels and Base Rates

All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.

Refer to the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000114 for current dollar amounts for each classification level. Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38. Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25.

Penalty Rates

Penalty rate multipliers from the Fair Work Commission penalty rate schedule for MA000114. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 275% depending on when and how you work.

Full-Time and Part-Time Employees

Casual Employees

Penalty rate categories in this award

The following penalty rate descriptions apply under MA000114:

• Afternoon
• Continuous shiftworkers - Monday to Sunday
• Continuous shiftworkers - Public holiday
• Day
• Monday to Saturday - after 3 hours
• Monday to Saturday - first 3 hours
• Night
• Non-continuous shfitworkers - Monday to Saturday - after 3 hours
• Non-continuous shfitworkers - Monday to Saturday - first 3 hours
• Non-continuous shfitworkers - Public holiday
• Non-continuous shfitworkers - Sunday - all day
• Non-successive afternoon or night - First 3 hours
• Non-successive afternoon or night - after 3 hours
• Ordinary hours
• Public holiday
• Public holiday - All ordinary hours on PH – non-cont s’worker
• Public holiday - Major portion of shift on PH – cont s’worker
• Saturday
• Sunday
• Sunday - all day

Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. Refer to the specific award clauses for exact percentages applicable to each classification level and employment type.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Casual worker on a Sunday

A casual employee working a 3 hours-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000114 pay guide
• Sunday casual rate: base rate x Sunday casual penalty percentage
• Minimum payment: Sunday casual rate x 3 hours hours
• Clause reference: refer to casual penalty rates clause

Example 2: Full-time worker on a public holiday

A full-time employee working an 8-hour public holiday shift.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000114 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 275%)
• Total: public holiday rate x 8 hours
• Clause reference: refer to public holiday clause

Example 3: Part-time worker with overtime

A part-time employee who works 2 hours beyond their rostered hours on a weekday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000114 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does this award cover salmon farm workers?

Yes, employees on salmon farms, trout farms, barramundi farms, and all other aquaculture operations are covered.

2. What about oyster farm workers?

Yes, oyster farming, mussel farming, and other shellfish aquaculture employees are covered.

3. Do aquaculture workers get public holiday rates?

Yes, public holiday work attracts penalty rates, with specific provisions for continuous shiftworkers and non-continuous shiftworkers.

4. What is the minimum shift length under this award?

The minimum engagement for casual and part-time employees is 3 hours per shift. Even if you are sent home early, you must be paid for the minimum shift length.

5. How do I check my exact pay rate?

Use our free calculator or refer to the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000114. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in aquaculture and fish farming and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

Select your classification, shiftwork type, employment type, and the days you work.

Schema Markup Suggestions

FAQ Schema (FAQPage)

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Table Schema (Dataset)

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• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for aquaculture and fish farm employees under the Aquaculture Industry"
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• creator: Fair Work Commission
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Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Aquaculture Industry (MA000114)

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.