Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing 2025 Pay Rates (MA000073)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing covers employees in food, beverage, and tobacco manufacturing, including factory workers, production line operators, quality control staff, and warehouse workers at food and drink manufacturing plants. If you work manufacturing food products, beverages, or tobacco products in a factory, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 200,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover meat processing workers (Meat Industry Award, MA000059), seafood processing workers (Seafood Processing Award, MA000068), winemakers (Wine Industry Award, MA000090), or fast food workers (Fast Food Industry Award, MA000003). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications cover roles from general process worker through to machine operator, trades worker, and supervisor. Shiftworkers (continuous and non-continuous) have distinct provisions.

Key features of this award

Food manufacturing often involves continuous shiftwork due to perishable products and production schedules. The award distinguishes between continuous shiftworkers and non-continuous shiftworkers, with different overtime and penalty 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 MA000073 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 MA000073. 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 MA000073:

• All shiftworkers: Afternoon or night shift not continuing - After 3 hours
• All shiftworkers: Afternoon or night shift not continuing - First 3 hours
• All shiftworkers: Afternoon shift or night shift
• All shiftworkers: Early morning shift
• All shiftworkers: Permanent night shift
• All shiftworkers: Saturday
• Continuous shiftworkers: Monday to Saturday - all overtime worked
• Continuous shiftworkers: Public holiday - All overtime worked
• Continuous shiftworkers: Sunday & Public holiday
• Monday to Saturday - After 3 hours
• Monday to Saturday - First 3 hours
• Monday to Saturday - after 3 hours
• Monday to Saturday - first 3 hours
• Monday to Sunday and Public Holidays
• Ordinary hours
• Other than continuous shiftworkers: Monday to Saturday - After 3 hours
• Other than continuous shiftworkers: Monday to Saturday - First 3 hours
• Other than continuous shiftworkers: Public holiday
• Other than continuous shiftworkers: Public holiday - All overtime worked
• Other than continuous shiftworkers: Sunday
• Public holiday
• Saturday
• Sunday
• Sunday - All overtime worked

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 MA000073 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 MA000073 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 MA000073 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does this award cover bakery factory workers?

Yes, employees in commercial bakeries and food manufacturing plants are covered. Retail bakeries may be covered by the General Retail Industry Award instead.

2. What about brewery workers?

Yes, employees in breweries and other beverage manufacturing facilities are covered by this award.

3. Do casual employees get overtime in food manufacturing?

Yes, casual employees have specific overtime provisions, with different rates for continuous and non-continuous shiftworkers.

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 MA000073. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in food, beverage, and tobacco manufacturing and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

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

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Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing (MA000073)

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.