Local Government Industry 2025 Pay Rates (MA000112)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Local Government Industry covers employees of local government (council) authorities, including council workers, rangers, librarians, childcare workers, pool attendants, and administrative staff. If you work for a local council or shire, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 190,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover state government employees (State Government Agencies Award, MA000121), federal government employees (Australian Public Service Enterprise Award, MA000124), or contractors working for councils who are employed by private companies. See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications cover a very wide range of council roles, from outdoor workers and labourers through to librarians, planners, engineers, and administrative staff. The award has detailed provisions for different types of ordinary hours arrangements.

Key features of this award

Local government employees may work various roster arrangements. The award has different penalty rate structures depending on whether ordinary hours are Monday to Friday only, or include weekends (such as for community services and recreation centre staff).

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 MA000112 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 MA000112. 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 MA000112:

• Monday to Friday - after 2 hours
• Monday to Friday - first 2 hours
• Ordinary hours
• Public holiday
• Saturday
• Saturday before 12 noon - after 2 hours
• Saturday before 12 noon - first 2 hours
• Saturday before 5am or after 10pm
• Saturday from 12 noon and Sunday
• Sunday
• Sunday before 5am or after 10pm
• Work outside span of ordinary hours
• Work outside spread of ordinary hours

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 3 hours-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000112 pay guide
• Sunday casual rate: base rate x Sunday casual penalty percentage
• Minimum payment: Sunday casual rate x 3 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 MA000112 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 MA000112 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do council workers get different rates based on their roster?

Yes, the award has different penalty structures for employees working Monday to Friday, employees working Monday to Sunday (such as recreation centre staff), and employees in community services.

2. Are council library staff covered?

Yes, council library staff are covered. Weekend library work attracts penalty rates.

3. What about council rangers and parking officers?

Yes, council rangers, parking officers, and animal control officers are covered by this award.

4. What is the minimum shift length under this award?

The minimum engagement for casual and part-time employees is 3 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 MA000112. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in local government (councils) and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

Select your classification, ordinary hours arrangement, employment type, and the days and times you work.

Schema Markup Suggestions

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Local Government Industry MA000112 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for council and local government employees under the Local Government Industry"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Local Government Industry (MA000112)

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.