Port Authorities Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000051)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Port Authorities Award covers employees working for port authorities and port corporations across Australia. If you work as a harbour master, pilot boat operator, dock worker, port security officer, marine traffic controller, wharf maintenance worker, or administrative employee for a government or privatised port authority, this award applies to you. It covers roughly 5,000 workers across major ports including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, and regional ports.

This award does NOT cover stevedoring employees (covered by the Stevedoring Industry Award), employees of private shipping companies (Maritime Award), or employees in general transport and logistics not related to port operations (Storage Services and Wholesale Award, MA000084). The key test is whether your employer is a port authority, port corporation, or port management body. See clause 4.1 for coverage terms.

How classification levels work

The award has a classification structure from Level 1 through Level 7 (clause 14 and Schedule A). Level 1 covers entry-level roles such as general labourers and basic maintenance workers. Level 2 covers semi-skilled workers and equipment operators. Level 3 covers skilled tradespeople and experienced operators. Levels 4 and 5 cover senior technical roles, team leaders, and specialist operators. Levels 6 and 7 cover supervisors and senior technical specialists. Marine pilots and harbour masters have separate arrangements.

Continuous shiftwork and rostered shifts

Port operations run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making shiftwork a core feature of this award. The award distinguishes between continuous shiftworkers (who work on rosters covering all 7 days) and other shiftworkers. Continuous shiftworkers receive different overtime arrangements, including a flat rate for all overtime hours rather than the tiered first-3-hours/after-3-hours structure. Employees who work a shift other than their rostered shift receive specific penalty rates.

Classification Levels and Base Rates

All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.

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 22 and clause 23).

Full-Time and Part-Time Employees (Day Workers)

Shiftworkers (Full-Time and Part-Time)

Casual Employees

Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. See clause 22.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Casual dock worker on a Sunday

Marco is a casual Level 2 dock worker who works a 10-hour Sunday shift loading a vessel.

• Base rate: $25.49/hr
• Sunday casual rate: 225% = $25.49 x 2.25 = $57.35/hr
• Total for 10 hours: $573.50 gross
• Clause reference: clause 22.4

Example 2: Full-time tradesperson on night shift

Greg is a permanent Level 3 plant mechanic working a regular night shift (10pm to 6am).

• Base rate: $26.59/hr
• Night shift rate: 130% = $26.59 x 1.30 = $34.57/hr
• Total for 8 hours: $276.56 gross
• Clause reference: clause 22.3

Example 3: Continuous shiftworker called in on a non-rostered shift

Leanne is a permanent Level 4 marine services coordinator who is a continuous shiftworker. She is called in on her day off for a 6-hour shift.

• Base rate: $27.90/hr
• Non-rostered shift (continuous shiftworker): 200% = $27.90 x 2.00 = $55.80/hr
• Total for 6 hours: $334.80 gross
• Clause reference: clause 23.2

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the minimum shift length for port authority workers?

Casual and part-time employees must be engaged for a minimum of 4 hours per shift (clause 11.2). This longer minimum reflects the operational nature of port work and the travel time often required to reach port facilities. At the Level 1 casual rate ($30.91/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $123.64 gross.

2. What is the difference between continuous shiftworkers and other shiftworkers?

Continuous shiftworkers work on a roster that covers all 7 days of the week, 24 hours a day. They are entitled to an additional week of annual leave (5 weeks total) and receive a flat 200% rate for all work on non-rostered shifts. Other shiftworkers may work shifts but not across all 7 days -- they receive tiered overtime rates (150% for the first 3 hours, 200% thereafter). See clause 22.3 and clause 23.

3. Do marine pilots receive different rates under this award?

Marine pilots (who guide ships into and out of port) may be covered by this award if they are employed by a port authority. However, many marine pilots are employed on individual contracts or enterprise agreements that set rates above the award. If no enterprise agreement applies, the Port Authorities Award sets the minimum rates. Harbour masters similarly may have specific arrangements.

4. I work in the port authority office. Am I under this award or the Clerks Award?

If you are employed by a port authority and perform clerical or administrative duties, you are covered by the Port Authorities Award (MA000051), not the Clerks -- Private Sector Award (MA000002). Your award is determined by your employer's industry, and port authority employees are covered by the industry-specific award regardless of whether their duties are operational or clerical.

5. Are there allowances for working in inclement weather?

Yes. Port workers are often exposed to weather extremes, and the award includes allowances for working in wet weather, extreme heat, and other adverse conditions (clause 19). These allowances are paid per hour in addition to the base rate and any applicable penalty loadings.

Check Your Rate

Working for a port authority or port corporation? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.

Check your pay rate now

Enter your classification level, employment type, shift pattern, and the day you work. The calculator handles continuous shiftworker provisions, non-rostered shift penalties, and weekend rates -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.

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• creator: Fair Work Commission
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Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Port Authorities Award (MA000051)

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.