CSIRO Enterprise Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000148)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The CSIRO Enterprise Award covers employees of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency. If you work as a research scientist, laboratory technician, field researcher, technical officer, IT specialist, administrative officer, or support staff member at CSIRO, this award applies to you unless you are covered by an enterprise agreement. CSIRO employs approximately 5,000 staff across research divisions, laboratories, and field stations throughout Australia.
This award does NOT cover employees of universities or other research institutions (Higher Education Award, MA000007), employees of other government agencies (Australian Public Service Award, MA000124), or contractors engaged by CSIRO. The award is specific to CSIRO as an employer and was created as an enterprise award under the Fair Work Act. See clause 4 for coverage terms.
How classification levels work
The award has a classification structure spanning research and technical streams (clause 14 and Schedule A). The technical stream covers laboratory technicians, field assistants, and technical officers at multiple levels from entry (CSOF1) through to senior principal technical officer. The research stream covers research scientists from postdoctoral level through to chief research scientist. Support staff (administrative, IT, facilities) have their own classification levels. Each level maps to specific qualifications, experience, and responsibility requirements.
Shiftwork and casual overtime
CSIRO operates research facilities that require 24/7 monitoring, including telescopes, marine research vessels, and atmospheric monitoring stations. The award provides shiftwork loadings for afternoon and night shifts, with permanent night shift attracting higher premiums. Notably, this award includes casual overtime provisions -- casual employees who work beyond their ordinary hours receive overtime rates on top of their casual loading, which is not common across all awards.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
Technical and Support Staff
| Level | Typical Roles (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSOF1 | Laboratory assistant, field assistant, general support | $939.50 | $24.73 | $30.91 |
| CSOF2 | Technical officer, experienced lab technician | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| CSOF3 | Senior technical officer, specialist technician | $1,060.20 | $27.90 | $34.88 |
| CSOF4 | Principal technical officer, team leader | $1,142.60 | $30.07 | $37.59 |
| CSOF5 | Senior principal technical officer, section manager | $1,186.80 | $31.23 | $39.04 |
Research Staff
| Level | Typical Roles (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSOF3-R | Postdoctoral fellow, early-career researcher | $1,060.20 | $27.90 | $34.88 |
| CSOF4-R | Research scientist, project leader | $1,142.60 | $30.07 | $37.59 |
| CSOF5-R | Senior research scientist, program leader | $1,186.80 | $31.23 | $39.04 |
| CSOF6-R | Principal research scientist, division leader | $1,280.40 | $33.70 | $42.13 |
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 24 and clause 25).
Full-Time and Part-Time Employees (Non-Shiftworkers)
| When you work | Penalty | CSOF1 example | CSOF3 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $24.73/hr | $27.90/hr |
| Saturday -- first 3 hours | 150% (clause 25.1) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Saturday -- after 3 hours | 200% (clause 25.1) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Sunday | 200% (clause 25.2) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 25.3) | $61.83/hr | $69.75/hr |
Shiftworkers (Full-Time and Part-Time)
| When you work | Penalty | CSOF1 example | CSOF3 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day shift | 100% (clause 24.2) | $24.73/hr | $27.90/hr |
| Night shift | 115% (clause 24.2) | $28.44/hr | $32.09/hr |
| Permanent night shift | 130% (clause 24.2) | $32.15/hr | $36.27/hr |
| Saturday shift | 150% (clause 24.3) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Sunday shift | 200% (clause 24.3) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Public holiday shift | 250% (clause 24.4) | $61.83/hr | $69.75/hr |
Casual Employees (including casual overtime)
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | CSOF1 example | CSOF3 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $30.91/hr | $34.88/hr |
| Saturday | 175% (clause 24.5) | $43.28/hr | $48.83/hr |
| Sunday | 225% (clause 24.5) | $55.64/hr | $62.78/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% (clause 24.6) | $68.01/hr | $76.73/hr |
| Casual overtime -- Sat first 3 hours | 175% (clause 25.4) | $43.28/hr | $48.83/hr |
| Casual overtime -- Sat after 3 hours | 225% (clause 25.4) | $55.64/hr | $62.78/hr |
| Casual overtime -- Sunday | 225% (clause 25.5) | $55.64/hr | $62.78/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. See clauses 24 and 25.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Casual lab assistant on a Saturday
Emily is a casual CSOF1 laboratory assistant who works a 6-hour Saturday shift preparing samples.
- Base rate: $24.73/hr
- Saturday casual rate: 175% = $24.73 x 1.75 = $43.28/hr
- Total for 6 hours: $259.68 gross
- Clause reference: clause 24.5
Example 2: Full-time technician on permanent night shift at a telescope
Yusuf is a permanent CSOF3 senior technical officer working permanent night shifts at the Parkes radio telescope.
- Base rate: $27.90/hr
- Permanent night shift rate: 130% = $27.90 x 1.30 = $36.27/hr
- Total for 8 hours: $290.16 gross
- Clause reference: clause 24.2
Example 3: Part-time admin officer on a public holiday
Grace is a part-time CSOF2 administrative officer who works a 5-hour shift on Australia Day.
- Base rate: $26.59/hr
- Public holiday rate: 250% = $26.59 x 2.50 = $66.48/hr
- Total for 5 hours: $332.40 gross
- Clause reference: clause 25.3
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this award the same as the Australian Public Service Award?
No. The CSIRO Enterprise Award (MA000148) is a separate, standalone enterprise award that applies only to CSIRO employees. While CSIRO is a Commonwealth entity, it is not part of the Australian Public Service (APS) and its employees are not covered by the APS Award (MA000124). CSIRO has its own classification structure, pay scales, and conditions. See clause 4.
2. Do casual CSIRO employees get overtime?
Yes. Unlike many modern awards, the CSIRO Enterprise Award includes specific casual overtime provisions (clause 25.4 and 25.5). If a casual employee works beyond their ordinary hours, they receive overtime rates that incorporate the casual loading. Saturday casual overtime is 175% for the first 3 hours and 225% after that. Sunday casual overtime is 225% for all hours.
3. What is the minimum shift length at CSIRO?
Casual and part-time employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 11.2). For shiftworkers at remote facilities (such as field stations or observatories), minimum shifts are typically 8 hours due to operational and travel requirements. At the CSOF1 casual rate ($30.91/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $92.73 gross.
4. Are research scientists covered by this award?
Research scientists at CSIRO may be covered by this award if no enterprise agreement applies. However, many senior research scientists are classified as award-free employees under the high-income threshold provisions of the Fair Work Act. The award sets minimum rates for all levels, but most research scientists are paid above award rates through individual arrangements or enterprise agreements.
5. Do employees at remote CSIRO facilities get additional allowances?
Yes. Employees required to work at remote field stations, marine research vessels, or isolated observatories are entitled to additional allowances including remote location allowance, living-away-from-home allowance, and travel allowances (clause 19). These allowances cover the additional costs and inconvenience of working in locations far from major centres.
Check Your Rate
Working at CSIRO? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate under the enterprise award.
Enter your classification level (CSOF1 through CSOF6), employment type, shift pattern, and the day you work. The calculator handles shiftwork loadings, casual overtime provisions, and weekend penalties -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.
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Home > Awards > CSIRO Enterprise Award (MA000148)
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.