Asphalt Industry 2025 Pay Rates (MA000054)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Asphalt Industry covers employees in the asphalt industry, including asphalt plant operators, road surfacing crews, bitumen workers, and asphalt laboratory staff. If you work manufacturing, transporting, or laying asphalt for road construction and maintenance, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 8,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover general construction workers (Building and Construction General On-site Award, MA000020), concrete workers (Concrete Products Award, MA000056 or Premixed Concrete Award, MA000057), or transport drivers not in the asphalt industry (Road Transport and Distribution Award, MA000038). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications cover roles from general labourer through to plant operator, trades worker, and supervisor. Shiftworkers and non-shiftworkers have different penalty rate structures.

Key features of this award

Asphalt laying is often performed at night to minimise traffic disruption, making night shift penalties particularly relevant. The award includes specific provisions for non-successive shifts and unrelieved overtime.

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 MA000054 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 MA000054. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 250% 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 MA000054:

• Afternoon or night
• Day
• Monday to Saturday - after 2 hours
• Monday to Saturday - first 2 hours
• Non-successive afternoon or night - 8 hours or less
• Non-successive afternoon or night - More than 8 hours
• Overtime
• Permanent night
• Public holiday
• Saturday
• Sunday
• Sunday - all day
• Unrelieved overtime - After 8 hours
• Unrelieved overtime - First 8 hours

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 4 hours-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000054 pay guide
• Sunday casual rate: base rate x Sunday casual penalty percentage
• Minimum payment: Sunday casual rate x 4 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 MA000054 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 250%)
• 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 MA000054 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is asphalt work often done at night?

Road surfacing is frequently performed at night to avoid traffic disruption, particularly on major roads. Night shift penalties apply to this work.

2. What is unrelieved overtime?

Unrelieved overtime occurs when you continue working beyond your shift without being relieved. The first 8 hours attract one rate, with a higher rate after 8 hours of unrelieved overtime.

3. Does the award cover asphalt plant workers?

Yes, employees at asphalt manufacturing plants are covered, including plant operators, laboratory testers, and maintenance staff.

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

The minimum engagement for casual and part-time employees is 4 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 MA000054. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in asphalt manufacturing and laying and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

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

Schema Markup Suggestions

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Asphalt Industry MA000054 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for asphalt plant operators and road surfacing crews under the Asphalt Industry"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Asphalt Industry (MA000054)

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.