Journalists Published Media Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000067)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Journalists Published Media Award covers journalists and editorial staff working in the published media industry across Australia. This includes reporters, sub-editors, photographers, graphic artists, editorial assistants, and cadets employed by newspapers (metropolitan daily, regional daily, country non-daily, and suburban), magazines, wire services, and digital publications. If you produce editorial content for a published media outlet, this award likely applies to you.
The award does NOT cover broadcast journalists (radio and television), journalists employed by the ABC or SBS (who are covered by enterprise agreements), or journalists working for organisations primarily engaged in public relations or corporate communications.
How classification levels work
Pay rates under this award are structured by grade levels, from Cadet (Year 1 through Year 3 or 4) up to experienced journalist grades. Your rate depends on your experience and the type of publication you work for. Metropolitan daily newspaper journalists generally receive higher rates than regional or suburban newspaper journalists for equivalent roles. Digital publication staff are classified alongside regional daily and country non-daily publication employees.
What about casual and shift workers?
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. Shiftworkers receive additional penalties for morning shifts, afternoon shifts, night shifts, and weekend work. The specific shift penalties vary depending on the type of publication -- metropolitan daily newspapers attract different shift loadings compared to suburban or regional publications.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
| Grade | Typical Role | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet -- Year 1 | Trainee journalist, editorial assistant | $945.60 | $24.88 | $31.10 |
| Cadet -- Year 2 | Developing journalist with 12 months' experience | $1,002.40 | $26.38 | $32.98 |
| Cadet -- Year 3 | Senior cadet, approaching qualification | $1,041.80 | $27.42 | $34.28 |
| Grade 1 | Qualified journalist, reporter, sub-editor | $1,098.40 | $28.91 | $36.14 |
| Grade 2 | Experienced journalist, senior reporter | $1,149.60 | $30.25 | $37.81 |
| Grade 3 | Chief of staff, chief sub-editor, senior photographer | $1,206.40 | $31.75 | $39.69 |
| Grade 4 | Senior editorial role, section editor | $1,268.00 | $33.37 | $41.71 |
Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38. Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25.
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.
Full-Time and Part-Time Employees
| When you work | Penalty | Grade 1 example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | Base rate (100%) | $28.91/hr |
| Morning/afternoon shift -- weekday | 115% | $33.25/hr |
| Morning/afternoon shift -- weekend | 150% | $43.37/hr |
| Night shift -- weekday (metro daily) | 130% | $37.58/hr |
| Night shift -- weekend (metro daily) | 165% | $47.70/hr |
| Weekend (non-shiftworkers) | 200% | $57.82/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% | $72.28/hr |
| Overtime -- first 2 hours (Mon-Sun) | 150% | $43.37/hr |
| Overtime -- after 2 hours (Mon-Sun) | 200% | $57.82/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Grade 1 example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% (casual loading) | $36.14/hr |
| Morning/afternoon shift -- weekday | 140% | $40.47/hr |
| Night shift -- weekday | 155% | $44.81/hr |
| Weekend shifts | 175% | $50.59/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% | $79.50/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the ordinary hours for journalists under this award?
Ordinary hours are a maximum of 38 per week, or an average of 38 per week over a 4-week roster cycle. The spread of ordinary hours varies by publication type. For metropolitan daily newspapers, ordinary hours may be rostered across any day of the week including weekends, but shift penalties apply for work outside of standard day shifts. Part-time journalists must have their guaranteed hours specified in writing.
2. Do night shift journalists get paid more?
Yes. Night shift penalties vary depending on your publication type. For metropolitan daily newspaper, magazine, or wire service journalists, the night shift weekday penalty is 130% of the base rate. Weekend night shifts attract even higher penalties at 165%. Regional daily, suburban, and digital publication journalists may have different shift penalty rates. Check clause 19 for your specific publication type.
3. Are cadet journalists entitled to overtime?
Yes. Cadet journalists are entitled to overtime rates for hours worked in excess of ordinary hours. Overtime is paid at 150% for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter for full-time employees. For part-time cadets, overtime kicks in after 3 hours beyond their rostered daily or weekly hours. Cadets are also entitled to the same weekend and public holiday penalties as qualified journalists.
4. What is a distant engagement and how is it paid?
A distant engagement occurs when a journalist is required to travel away from their usual workplace to cover a story. During a distant engagement, overtime is calculated differently -- the first 8 hours are paid at 150%, and hours beyond 8 are paid at 200%. These rates apply Monday to Sunday, recognising that journalists on distant assignments often work irregular hours.
5. What is the minimum engagement for casual journalists?
Casual journalists must be engaged and paid for a minimum of 4 consecutive hours per engagement. Even if your editor only needs you for 2 hours, they must pay you for 4 hours. At the Grade 1 casual rate ($36.14/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $144.56 gross.
Check Your Rate
Not sure if you are being paid correctly? Use our free pay rate calculator to check your exact rate based on your classification, publication type, and shift pattern.
Enter your details and get an instant breakdown of what you should be earning -- including shift penalties, weekend loadings, and casual rates. Every result cites the specific award clause so you can verify it yourself.
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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.