Professional Employees 2025 Pay Rates (MA000065)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Professional Employees covers professional employees including graduate and qualified engineers, scientists, IT professionals, and quality auditors employed in various industries. If you are a degree-qualified professional engineer, scientist, or IT professional not covered by a more specific industry award, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 50,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover architects (Architects Award, MA000079), medical practitioners (Medical Practitioners Award, MA000031), surveyors (Surveying Award, MA000066), or professionals covered by a specific industry award. See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications are based on qualifications and experience, from graduate professional through to experienced professional and senior professional. The structure recognises degree and postgraduate qualifications.

Key features of this award

Professional employees often work flexible hours. The award provides for overtime and penalty rates for work performed outside ordinary hours and on weekends and public holidays, with specific provisions for casual overtime.

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 MA000065 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 MA000065. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 175% 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 MA000065:

• Monday to Saturday – before 6.00 am and after 10.00 pm
• Ordinary hours and overtime
• Ordinary or overtime hours
• Sundays and public holidays

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 MA000065 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 MA000065 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 175%)
• 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 MA000065 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does this award cover software engineers?

Yes, IT professionals and software engineers who are employees (not contractors) and not covered by a more specific industry award are covered by this award.

2. What about engineers working in mining or construction?

Engineers employed in industries with their own specific awards (such as mining or construction) may be covered by those industry awards instead of the Professional Employees Award.

3. Do professional employees get overtime?

Yes, the award provides for overtime rates for work beyond ordinary hours, including specific provisions for casual employees performing overtime.

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 MA000065. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in professional services 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 days and times you work.

Schema Markup Suggestions

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Professional Employees MA000065 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for graduate engineers, scientists, and IT professionals under the Professional Employees"
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• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Professional Employees (MA000065)

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.