Cement, Lime and Quarrying 2025 Pay Rates (MA000055)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Cement, Lime and Quarrying covers employees in the cement manufacturing, lime manufacturing, and quarrying industries, including quarry workers, crusher operators, kiln operators, cement packers, and laboratory staff. If you work extracting stone, manufacturing cement or lime, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 12,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover coal miners (Black Coal Mining Industry Award, MA000001), metalliferous miners (Mining Industry Award, MA000011), or concrete products manufacturers (Concrete Products Award, MA000056). 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. Continuous shiftworkers have specific provisions distinct from other workers.

Key features of this award

Cement and lime kilns often run continuously, requiring continuous shiftwork rosters. The award distinguishes between continuous shiftworkers and non-continuous workers for overtime and penalty rate purposes.

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 MA000055 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 MA000055. 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 MA000055:

• Afternoon
• All overtime
• Day
• Monday - Saturday After 2 hours
• Monday - Saturday First 2 hours
• Monday—Saturday - After 2 hours
• Monday—Saturday - First 2 hours
• Night
• Permanent night
• Public holiday
• Saturday
• Saturday - After 2 hours
• Saturday - First 2 hours
• Saturday After 2 hours
• Saturday First 2 hours
• Sunday

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 MA000055 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 MA000055 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 MA000055 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is continuous shiftwork in cement manufacturing?

Continuous shiftwork means the operation runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, such as a cement kiln. Continuous shiftworkers receive different overtime rates and additional annual leave.

2. Does the award cover quarry workers?

Yes, employees in quarrying operations extracting stone, sand, gravel, and other materials are covered by this award.

3. Are cement truck drivers covered?

Drivers delivering cement products may be covered by either this award or the Road Transport and Distribution Award, depending on whether they are employed by the cement manufacturer or a transport company.

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 MA000055. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in cement, lime, and quarrying and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

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

Schema Markup Suggestions

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Cement, Lime and Quarrying MA000055 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for quarry workers and cement/lime manufacturing employees under the Cement, Lime and Quarrying"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Cement, Lime and Quarrying (MA000055)

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.