Poultry Processing 2025 Pay Rates (MA000074)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Poultry Processing covers employees in poultry processing operations, including chicken processing, turkey processing, and other poultry products manufacturing. If you work on a poultry processing line, in a poultry boning room, or in poultry packaging, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 20,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover chicken farmers (Poultry Farm Award covered under Pastoral Award, MA000035), meat processing workers handling non-poultry products (Meat Industry Award, MA000059), or general food manufacturing workers (Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award, MA000073). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications cover roles from general process worker through to skilled boner, quality controller, and supervisor. Shiftworkers and non-shiftworkers have different penalty provisions.

Key features of this award

Poultry processing involves early morning shifts to process birds arriving from farms. The award includes early morning shift penalties and standard shiftwork provisions for afternoon and night shifts.

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 MA000074 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 MA000074. 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 MA000074:

• Afternoon & night
• Early morning
• Monday to Saturday - after 3 hours
• Monday to Saturday - first 3 hours
• Monday-Friday
• Ordinary hours
• Permanent night
• 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 4 hours-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000074 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 MA000074 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 MA000074 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do poultry workers get early morning penalties?

Yes, the award includes an early morning shift penalty, reflecting the common practice of starting processing early to handle fresh product.

2. Is there a permanent night shift loading?

Yes, employees on permanent night shifts receive a higher penalty rate than those on rotating night shifts.

3. Are quality control staff at chicken plants covered?

Yes, quality control and inspection staff at poultry processing facilities 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 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 MA000074. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in poultry processing and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

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

Schema Markup Suggestions

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Poultry Processing MA000074 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for chicken and poultry processing workers under the Poultry Processing"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Poultry Processing (MA000074)

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.