Market and Social Research 2025 Pay Rates (MA000030)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Market and Social Research covers employees in the market research and social research industry, including field interviewers, telephone interviewers, data collection staff, and research assistants. If you conduct surveys, interviews, or collect data for market or social research, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 8,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover employees of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS Enterprise Award, MA000143), academic researchers at universities (Higher Education Awards), or general clerical workers not in the research industry (Clerks Award, MA000002). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications cover roles from entry-level interviewer through to experienced field supervisor. The work includes face-to-face interviewing, telephone interviewing, and online research supervision.

Key features of this award

Market research often requires work outside standard business hours to reach respondents at home. The award provides for flexible hours with penalty rates for work outside the ordinary spread of hours. Casual employment is very common in this industry.

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 MA000030 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 MA000030. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 125% 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 MA000030:

• All hours in excess of rostered ordinary hours
• All ordinary hours
• Monday - Friday outside spread of hours
• Ordinary hours
• Public holiday
• Saturday
• 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 3 hours-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000030 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 MA000030 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 125%)
• 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 MA000030 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I work from home as a telephone interviewer?

The award covers telephone interviewers regardless of location. If you are an employee (not an independent contractor), the award rates and conditions apply whether you work from an office or from home.

2. How are field interviewers paid for travel?

The award may include provisions for travel allowances and reimbursement of expenses incurred during field work. Check your specific employment conditions.

3. Is weekend interviewing paid at penalty rates?

Yes, work on Saturdays and Sundays attracts penalty rates. Work outside the ordinary spread of hours on weekdays also attracts penalties.

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 MA000030. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in market and social research and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

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

Schema Markup Suggestions

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Market and Social Research MA000030 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for field interviewers and research workers under the Market and Social Research"
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• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Market and Social Research (MA000030)

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.