Professional Diving Industry (Recreational) 2025 Pay Rates (MA000109)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Professional Diving Industry (Recreational) covers employees in the recreational diving industry, including scuba diving instructors, dive masters, snorkelling guides, and dive shop staff. If you teach recreational scuba diving or work at a dive centre, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 2,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover industrial divers (Professional Diving Industry (Industrial) Award, MA000108), marine tourism vessel crew (Marine Tourism and Charter Vessels Award, MA000093), or general retail workers at dive shops not providing instruction. See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications cover roles from dive guide through to dive instructor and senior instructor, based on diving qualifications and instructor certifications.

Key features of this award

Recreational diving work spans all 7 days. The award provides for ordinary hours Monday to Sunday, with overtime for excess hours. The penalty structure is straightforward with a maximum rate of 200%.

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 MA000109 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 MA000109. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 200% 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 MA000109:

• Monday to Sunday
• Monday to Sunday - after 2 hours
• Monday to Sunday - first 2 hours

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 MA000109 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 MA000109 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 200%)
• 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 MA000109 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does this award cover dive shop retail staff?

If the dive shop is primarily a recreational diving operation (instruction and guided dives), retail staff are likely covered. Pure retail shops may fall under the General Retail Industry Award.

2. Are snorkelling guides covered?

Yes, snorkelling guides employed by recreational diving operations are covered by this award.

3. What about freelance dive instructors?

The award covers employees, not independent contractors. If you are engaged as an employee by a dive centre, you are covered. Independent contractor instructors are not.

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 MA000109. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in recreational diving instruction 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 hours you work.

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• creator: Fair Work Commission
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Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Professional Diving Industry (Recreational) (MA000109)

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.