Mobile Crane Hiring 2025 Pay Rates (MA000032)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Mobile Crane Hiring covers employees in the mobile crane hiring industry, including crane operators, doggers, riggers, and transport drivers who move cranes between sites. If you operate mobile cranes hired out to construction sites, mines, or industrial projects, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 8,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover crane operators permanently employed on a single construction site (Building and Construction General On-site Award, MA000020), tower crane operators, or general transport drivers (Road Transport and Distribution Award, MA000038). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications are based on crane capacity and the type of work performed. Crane operators are classified by the tonnage of the crane they operate. Riggers and doggers have separate classifications based on their licensing level.

Key features of this award

Mobile crane work often involves shiftwork and early starts on construction sites. The award includes specific shiftwork provisions and distinguishes between day workers and shiftworkers for overtime and penalty rate purposes.

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 MA000032 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 MA000032. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 275% 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 MA000032:

• Afternoon shift
• All employees: Public holiday
• All employees: Sunday - All time worked
• Day shift
• Night shift
• Non-successive afternoon or night shifts - After 2 hours
• Non-successive afternoon or night shifts - First 2 hours
• Non-successive afternoon or night shifts After 2 hours
• Non-successive afternoon or night shifts First 2 hours
• Ordinary hours
• Other than shiftworkers: Monday–Friday & Saturday before 12 noon - After 2 hours
• Other than shiftworkers: Monday–Friday & Saturday before 12 noon - First 2 hours
• Other than shiftworkers: Saturday after 12 noon - All time worked
• Public holiday
• Shiftworkers only: All work outside the ordinary hours of shiftwork
• Shiftworkers only: Saturday - After 2 hour or after 12 noon
• Shiftworkers only: Saturday before 12 noon - First 2 hours
• 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 4 hours-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000032 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 MA000032 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 275%)
• 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 MA000032 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the crane tonnage affect my pay rate?

Yes, crane operators are classified based on the capacity of the crane they operate. Larger cranes require higher qualifications and attract higher pay rates.

2. What are the overtime rules for crane operators?

Overtime is paid for work beyond ordinary hours. The first 2 hours are paid at a lower overtime rate, with subsequent hours at a higher rate. Shiftworkers have different overtime provisions.

3. Do I get travel allowances when the crane moves between sites?

The award includes provisions for allowances related to travel and working at different locations, which is common in the crane hire industry.

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 MA000032. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in mobile crane hiring and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

Select your classification (including crane capacity), shiftwork status, employment type, and the days and times you work.

Schema Markup Suggestions

FAQ Schema (FAQPage)

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Mobile Crane Hiring MA000032 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for crane operators and riggers in the crane hire industry under the Mobile Crane Hiring"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Mobile Crane Hiring (MA000032)

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.