Pharmaceutical Industry Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000069)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Pharmaceutical Industry Award covers employees working in the manufacture, production, packaging, warehousing, and distribution of pharmaceutical products, medicines, medical devices, cosmetics, and toiletries. If you work as a production operator, quality control technician, packaging hand, warehouse worker, or laboratory assistant in a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, this award applies to you. It covers roughly 20,000 workers across Australia's pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturing sector.
This award does NOT cover employees working in retail pharmacies (Pharmacy Industry Award, MA000012), employees in hospitals or healthcare settings (Health Professionals Award, MA000027 or Nurses Award, MA000034), or employees in general chemical manufacturing not related to pharmaceuticals (Manufacturing Award, MA000010). The key test is whether your employer's primary business is manufacturing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or toiletry products. See clause 4.1 for coverage terms.
How classification levels work
The award has a seven-level classification structure from Level 1 through Level 7 (clause 14 and Schedule A). Level 1 covers entry-level production workers performing basic tasks under direct supervision. Level 2 covers semi-skilled workers who can operate basic equipment. Level 3 covers skilled operators with knowledge of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) requirements. Level 4 covers qualified technicians and experienced operators. Level 5 covers senior technicians and team leaders. Levels 6 and 7 cover supervisors and specialist technical roles.
Shiftwork and RDO provisions
Pharmaceutical manufacturing often runs continuous or semi-continuous production schedules, and the award has detailed shiftwork provisions. Afternoon and night shift loadings apply at 115%, with permanent night shift attracting 130%. The award also has specific provisions for Rostered Days Off (RDOs), where employees who work on their RDO receive penalty rates. Non-successive shift penalties apply when an employee is required to work a shift that does not follow consecutively from their previous shift.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
| Level | Typical Duties (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Production hand, basic cleaning, raw material handling | $939.50 | $24.73 | $30.91 |
| Level 2 | Semi-skilled operator, basic machine minding, packing | $968.60 | $25.49 | $31.86 |
| Level 3 | Skilled operator, GMP-aware, quality sampling | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| Level 4 | Qualified technician, experienced operator, Certificate III | $1,060.20 | $27.90 | $34.88 |
| Level 5 | Senior technician, team leader, Certificate IV | $1,102.80 | $29.02 | $36.28 |
| Level 6 | Supervisor, specialist operator, advanced diploma | $1,142.60 | $30.07 | $37.59 |
| Level 7 | Senior supervisor, technical specialist, production manager | $1,186.80 | $31.23 | $39.04 |
Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38 (clause 13.1). Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25 (clause 11.1).
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate (clause 26 and clause 27).
Full-Time and Part-Time Day Workers
| When you work | Penalty | Level 1 example | Level 4 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $24.73/hr | $27.90/hr |
| Saturday -- first 2 hours | 150% (clause 27.1) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Saturday -- after 2 hours | 200% (clause 27.1) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Sunday | 200% (clause 27.2) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 27.3) | $61.83/hr | $69.75/hr |
| RDO (all day) | 200% (clause 27.4) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Overtime -- Mon-Fri first 2 hours | 150% (clause 27.5) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Overtime -- Mon-Fri after 2 hours | 200% (clause 27.5) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
Shiftworkers (Full-Time and Part-Time)
| When you work | Penalty | Level 1 example | Level 4 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon and night shift | 115% (clause 26.2) | $28.44/hr | $32.09/hr |
| Permanent night shift | 130% (clause 26.2) | $32.15/hr | $36.27/hr |
| Non-successive shift | 150% (clause 26.3) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Saturday shift -- first 2 hours | 150% (clause 27.6) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Saturday shift -- after 2 hours | 200% (clause 27.6) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Sunday shift | 200% (clause 27.7) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Public holiday shift | 250% (clause 27.8) | $61.83/hr | $69.75/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Level 1 example | Level 4 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $30.91/hr | $34.88/hr |
| Saturday | 175% (clause 26.4) | $43.28/hr | $48.83/hr |
| Sunday | 225% (clause 26.4) | $55.64/hr | $62.78/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% (clause 26.5) | $68.01/hr | $76.73/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. See clause 26.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Casual production worker on a Sunday
Li is a casual Level 1 production hand who works a 6-hour Sunday shift in a cosmetics factory.
- Base rate: $24.73/hr
- Sunday casual rate: 225% = $24.73 x 2.25 = $55.64/hr
- Total for 6 hours: $333.84 gross
- Clause reference: clause 26.4
Example 2: Full-time QC technician on permanent night shift
Raj is a permanent Level 4 quality control technician working permanent night shifts (10pm to 6am) in a pharmaceutical plant.
- Base rate: $27.90/hr
- Permanent night shift rate: 130% = $27.90 x 1.30 = $36.27/hr
- Total for 8 hours: $290.16 gross
- Clause reference: clause 26.2
Example 3: Part-time operator working on their RDO
Kathy is a part-time Level 3 operator who is asked to work on her Rostered Day Off (RDO) for 8 hours.
- Base rate: $26.59/hr
- RDO rate: 200% = $26.59 x 2.00 = $53.18/hr
- Total for 8 hours: $425.44 gross
- Clause reference: clause 27.4
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the minimum shift length for pharmaceutical workers?
Casual and part-time employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 11.2). In continuous production environments, shift lengths are typically 8 or 12 hours. At the Level 1 casual rate ($30.91/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $92.73 gross.
2. What is a non-successive shift and how is it paid?
A non-successive shift occurs when you are required to work a shift that does not follow consecutively from your previous shift (for example, working an afternoon shift followed by a morning shift with less than the required break). Non-successive shifts attract a 50% loading (150% of base rate) to compensate for the disruption to your rest period. See clause 26.3.
3. Do I need GMP training to work at a higher classification level?
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) knowledge is a key requirement from Level 3 upwards. Pharmaceutical manufacturing is regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and employees at higher classification levels are expected to understand and follow GMP requirements. Your employer should provide GMP training, and completion of this training may support a reclassification to a higher level.
4. I work in a pharmacy warehouse distributing medications. Am I under this award?
It depends on whether your employer is primarily a pharmaceutical manufacturer or a pharmacy/distribution business. If you work in a warehouse attached to a manufacturing facility, the Pharmaceutical Industry Award (MA000069) applies. If you work in a standalone distribution centre or retail pharmacy warehouse, the Storage Services and Wholesale Award (MA000084) or Pharmacy Industry Award (MA000012) may apply instead. See clause 4.1.
5. Are there specific safety allowances for handling hazardous chemicals?
Yes. The Pharmaceutical Industry Award includes allowances for employees required to handle hazardous substances or work in areas with toxic exposure risks (clause 19). These disability allowances are paid per hour in addition to the base rate and recognise the health risks associated with pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Check Your Rate
Working in pharmaceutical or cosmetics manufacturing? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.
Enter your classification level, employment type, shift pattern, and the day you work. The calculator handles shiftwork loadings, RDO rates, non-successive shift penalties, and overtime -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.
Schema Markup Suggestions
FAQ Schema (FAQPage)
Apply FAQPage schema to the 5 FAQ questions and answers above.
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is the minimum shift length for pharmaceutical workers?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Casual and part-time employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift. At the Level 1 casual rate of $30.91/hr, the minimum payment for any casual shift is $92.73 gross."
}
}
]
}
Table Schema (Dataset)
- name: "Pharmaceutical Industry Award MA000069 Pay Rates July 2025"
- description: "Classification levels and hourly pay rates for pharmaceutical manufacturing employees including shiftwork and RDO provisions"
- temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
- creator: Fair Work Commission
- license: CC BY 4.0
Breadcrumb Schema
Home > Awards > Pharmaceutical Industry Award (MA000069)
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.