Coal Export Terminals 2025 Pay Rates (MA000045)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Coal Export Terminals covers employees at coal export terminals and coal loading facilities, including stockpile operators, ship loader operators, conveyor operators, and maintenance staff at coal terminals. If you work at a port facility that loads coal onto ships for export, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 3,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover coal miners (Black Coal Mining Industry Award, MA000001 or Mining Industry Award, MA000011), port authority employees (Port Authorities Award, MA000051), or stevedores handling non-coal cargo (Stevedoring Industry Award, MA000053). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications cover roles from general terminal worker through to experienced operator, trades worker, and supervisor. Both shiftworkers and non-shiftworkers are covered, with different penalty structures for continuous and non-continuous shiftwork.

Key features of this award

Coal export terminals typically operate 24/7 to meet shipping schedules. The award distinguishes between continuous shiftworkers (covering all 7 days) and other shiftworkers, with different penalty and overtime provisions for each.

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 MA000045 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 MA000045. 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 MA000045:

• Afternoon shift
• All employees: Public holiday
• Continuous shiftworkers: Monday - Sunday
• Day
• Night shift
• Ordinary hours
• Other than continuous shiftworkers: Saturday - After 3 hours
• Other than continuous shiftworkers: Saturday - First 3 hours
• Other than continuous shiftworkers: Sunday
• Permanent night shift
• Public holiday
• Saturday - After 3 hours
• Saturday - After 4 ordinary hours
• Saturday - First 3 hours
• Saturday - First 4 ordinary 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 MA000045 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 MA000045 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 MA000045 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I get extra annual leave as a continuous shiftworker?

Yes, continuous shiftworkers at coal terminals are entitled to an additional week of annual leave (5 weeks total) under the National Employment Standards.

2. How does overtime work for shiftworkers?

Shiftworkers have specific overtime provisions that differ from day workers. Overtime for shiftworkers is calculated on time worked outside their rostered shift hours.

3. Does the award cover maintenance shutdowns?

Yes, maintenance workers at coal terminals are covered. During shutdowns, normal award conditions including overtime provisions continue to apply.

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 MA000045. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in coal export terminals and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

Select your classification, shiftwork type (continuous or non-continuous), employment type, and the days you work.

Schema Markup Suggestions

FAQ Schema (FAQPage)

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Coal Export Terminals MA000045 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for employees at coal loading and export terminal facilities under the Coal Export Terminals"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Coal Export Terminals (MA000045)

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.