Business Equipment Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000021)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Business Equipment Award covers employees who sell, install, service, maintain, or repair business equipment such as photocopiers, printers, point-of-sale systems, office automation equipment, computer hardware, telecommunications equipment, and related technology products. If you work as a technician, service engineer, sales representative, warehouse worker, or clerical employee for a company whose primary business is supplying or servicing business equipment, this award applies to you. It covers roughly 15,000 workers across Australia.
This award does NOT cover employees working in general retail (General Retail Industry Award, MA000004), employees in telecommunications carriers (Telecommunications Services Award, MA000041), or employees manufacturing equipment (Manufacturing Award, MA000010). The key test is whether your employer's principal business involves the sale, rental, installation, or servicing of business machines and equipment. See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.
How classification levels work
The award uses a seven-level classification structure from Level 1 through Level 7 (clause 14 and Schedule A). Level 1 covers entry-level employees performing routine tasks under direct supervision, such as warehouse hands and junior clerical workers. Levels 2 and 3 cover employees who have developed competency and work with less supervision, including experienced warehouse workers and junior technicians. Levels 4 and 5 cover qualified technicians, experienced sales staff, and team leaders. Levels 6 and 7 cover senior technicians, specialist sales consultants, and supervisory roles with significant autonomy.
Shiftwork and weekend penalties
The Business Equipment Award has a comprehensive shiftwork structure with afternoon, night, and permanent night shift loadings. Weekend penalties apply at 150% for Saturday and 200% for Sunday for permanent employees. Casual employees receive penalty rates that incorporate the 25% casual loading. Shiftworkers receive additional loadings for afternoon shifts (115%) and night shifts (130%), with permanent night shift attracting a higher loading of 150%.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
| Level | Typical Duties (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Warehouse hand, junior clerical, trainee | $939.50 | $24.73 | $30.91 |
| Level 2 | Experienced warehouse worker, clerical assistant, junior service technician | $968.60 | $25.49 | $31.86 |
| Level 3 | Service technician, sales assistant, experienced clerical | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| Level 4 | Qualified technician, experienced sales, team coordinator | $1,060.20 | $27.90 | $34.88 |
| Level 5 | Senior technician, specialist sales, accounts coordinator | $1,102.80 | $29.02 | $36.28 |
| Level 6 | Lead technician, regional sales, supervisor | $1,142.60 | $30.07 | $37.59 |
| Level 7 | Senior specialist, area manager, technical supervisor | $1,186.80 | $31.23 | $39.04 |
Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38 (clause 13.1). Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25 (clause 11.1).
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate (clause 28 and clause 29).
Full-Time and Part-Time Employees
| When you work | Penalty | Level 1 example | Level 4 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $24.73/hr | $27.90/hr |
| Afternoon shift (finishing after 6pm) | 115% (clause 28.2) | $28.44/hr | $32.09/hr |
| Night shift (finishing after midnight) | 130% (clause 28.2) | $32.15/hr | $36.27/hr |
| Permanent night shift | 150% (clause 28.2) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Outside spread of ordinary hours | 150% (clause 28.3) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Saturday | 150% (clause 28.4) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Sunday | 200% (clause 28.4) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 28.5) | $61.83/hr | $69.75/hr |
| Overtime -- first 3 hours (Mon-Sun) | 150% (clause 29.1) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Overtime -- after 3 hours (Mon-Sun) | 200% (clause 29.1) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Level 1 example | Level 4 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $30.91/hr | $34.88/hr |
| Afternoon shift | 140% (clause 28.6) | $34.62/hr | $39.06/hr |
| Night shift | 155% (clause 28.6) | $38.33/hr | $43.25/hr |
| Permanent night shift | 175% (clause 28.6) | $43.28/hr | $48.83/hr |
| Outside spread of ordinary hours | 175% (clause 28.6) | $43.28/hr | $48.83/hr |
| Saturday | 175% (clause 28.7) | $43.28/hr | $48.83/hr |
| Sunday | 225% (clause 28.7) | $55.64/hr | $62.78/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% (clause 28.8) | $68.01/hr | $76.73/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. See clause 28.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Casual technician on a Saturday callout
Jake is a casual Level 4 qualified technician called in for a 4-hour Saturday callout to repair a printer fleet.
- Base rate: $27.90/hr
- Saturday casual rate: 175% = $27.90 x 1.75 = $48.83/hr
- Total for 4 hours: $195.32 gross
- Clause reference: clause 28.7
Example 2: Full-time warehouse worker on a night shift
Mel is a permanent Level 1 warehouse worker rostered to a permanent night shift, working 10pm to 6am Monday to Friday.
- Base rate: $24.73/hr
- Permanent night shift rate: 150% = $24.73 x 1.50 = $37.10/hr
- Total for 8 hours: $296.80 gross
- Clause reference: clause 28.2
Example 3: Part-time sales rep working a public holiday
Ravi is a part-time Level 5 sales representative who works a 6-hour public holiday shift at a product expo.
- Base rate: $29.02/hr
- Public holiday rate: 250% = $29.02 x 2.50 = $72.55/hr
- Total for 6 hours: $435.30 gross
- Clause reference: clause 28.5
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the minimum shift length for business equipment workers?
Casual and part-time employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 11.2). Even if you are called in for a quick repair job and finish in 45 minutes, you must be paid for the full 3 hours. At the Level 1 casual rate ($30.91/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $92.73 gross.
2. Do I get paid extra for being on call to attend emergency repairs?
If your employer requires you to be on call (available to attend work if needed), you are entitled to an on-call allowance (clause 19). If you are actually called out, you receive a minimum payment for the callout, plus any applicable penalty rates for the time worked. Travel time to and from the callout location also counts as time worked.
3. How does the shiftwork loading interact with overtime?
Shiftwork loadings and overtime rates do not compound. If you work overtime while on an afternoon shift, you receive the higher of the overtime rate or the shift loading -- not both added together. Overtime rates under clause 29 will generally be higher, so in practice you receive the overtime rate. See clause 29.3.
4. I sell and install printers but my employer says I am under the Retail Award. Is that correct?
If your employer's primary business is selling, installing, and servicing business equipment (not general retail goods), you should be classified under the Business Equipment Award (MA000021), not the General Retail Industry Award (MA000004). The distinction matters because the Business Equipment Award has different classification levels and penalty structures. The test is the nature of the employer's business, not the individual employee's duties. See clause 4.1.
5. Are travel allowances paid for technicians who drive between customer sites?
Yes. Employees who are required to use their own vehicle for work purposes are entitled to a vehicle allowance (clause 19.3). The rate is aligned with the ATO cents-per-kilometre method and is updated annually. This covers fuel, wear and tear, and insurance costs associated with work-related travel. Travel time between customer sites during a shift is paid at your applicable hourly rate.
Check Your Rate
Working in business equipment sales, installation, or servicing? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.
Enter your classification level, employment type (full-time, part-time, or casual), and the day and time you work. The calculator handles shiftwork loadings, weekend penalties, and overtime -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.
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- creator: Fair Work Commission
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Home > Awards > Business Equipment Award (MA000021)
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.