Rail Industry Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000015)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Rail Industry Award covers employees working in rail transport operations, rail infrastructure construction and maintenance, and related rail services across Australia. If you work as a train driver, guard, signaller, track worker, train controller, station attendant, rail infrastructure maintainer, or clerical worker in a rail organisation, this award applies to you. It covers roughly 35,000 workers across government rail operators, private rail companies, and rail contractors.
This award does NOT cover employees in road transport (Road Transport Award, MA000038), employees of port authorities (Port Authorities Award, MA000051), or employees in general construction not related to rail (Building and Construction Award, MA000020). The key test is whether your employer's primary business involves providing rail transport services or maintaining rail infrastructure. See clause 4 for coverage terms.
How classification levels work
The award has three distinct streams, each with its own classification levels (clause 14 and Schedule A). The Operations (Op) stream covers train drivers, guards, signallers, and station staff. The Technical and Civil Infrastructure (TCI) stream covers track workers, signal technicians, and infrastructure maintainers. The Clerical, Administration and Professional (CAP) stream covers office-based and administrative roles. Each stream has multiple levels reflecting different skill, qualification, and responsibility requirements.
Night and weekend penalties
Rail operates 24/7, and the penalty rate structure reflects this with specific loadings for early morning, afternoon, night, and permanent night shifts. Weekend penalties apply at different rates depending on the stream and whether the work is ordinary hours or overtime. Rail workers who regularly work unsociable hours accumulate significant additional earnings through penalty rates.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
Operations (Op) Stream
| Level | Typical Roles (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Op1 | Trainee, station attendant, customer service (entry) | $939.50 | $24.73 | $30.91 |
| Op2 | Guard, experienced station staff, freight handler | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| Op3 | Train driver (suburban), signaller, train controller | $1,060.20 | $27.90 | $34.88 |
| Op4 | Senior driver (long-haul), network controller, supervisor | $1,142.60 | $30.07 | $37.59 |
Technical and Civil Infrastructure (TCI) Stream
| Level | Typical Roles (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCI1 | Track labourer, basic infrastructure maintenance | $939.50 | $24.73 | $30.91 |
| TCI2 | Experienced track worker, basic signalling, plant operator | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| TCI3 | Qualified tradesperson, signal technician, overhead wiring | $1,060.20 | $27.90 | $34.88 |
| TCI4 | Senior technician, track inspector, project supervisor | $1,142.60 | $30.07 | $37.59 |
Clerical, Administration and Professional (CAP) Stream
| Level | Typical Roles (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAP1 | Administrative assistant, data entry, basic clerical | $939.50 | $24.73 | $30.91 |
| CAP2 | Experienced clerk, accounts processing, scheduling | $968.60 | $25.49 | $31.86 |
| CAP3 | Senior clerk, coordinator, project admin | $1,060.20 | $27.90 | $34.88 |
| CAP4 | Office supervisor, senior coordinator | $1,142.60 | $30.07 | $37.59 |
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 24 and clause 25).
Full-Time and Part-Time Employees
| When you work | Penalty | Op1 example | TCI3 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $24.73/hr | $27.90/hr |
| Early morning or afternoon shift | 115% (clause 24.2) | $28.44/hr | $32.09/hr |
| Night shift | 130% (clause 24.2) | $32.15/hr | $36.27/hr |
| Permanent night shift | 150% (clause 24.2) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Saturday | 150% (clause 24.3) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Sunday | 200% (clause 24.3) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 24.4) | $61.83/hr | $69.75/hr |
| Overtime -- weekday first 3 hours | 150% (clause 25.1) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Overtime -- weekday after 3 hours | 200% (clause 25.1) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Op1 example | TCI3 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $30.91/hr | $34.88/hr |
| Saturday | 175% (clause 24.5) | $43.28/hr | $48.83/hr |
| Sunday | 225% (clause 24.5) | $55.64/hr | $62.78/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% (clause 24.6) | $68.01/hr | $76.73/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. See clause 24.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Casual track worker on a Sunday possession
Ben is a casual TCI1 track labourer who works a 12-hour Sunday rail possession for track maintenance.
- Base rate: $24.73/hr
- Sunday casual rate: 225% = $24.73 x 2.25 = $55.64/hr
- Total for 12 hours: $667.68 gross
- Clause reference: clause 24.5
Example 2: Full-time train driver on a permanent night shift
Asha is a permanent Op3 suburban train driver working permanent night shifts (10pm to 6am).
- Base rate: $27.90/hr
- Permanent night shift rate: 150% = $27.90 x 1.50 = $41.85/hr
- Total for 8 hours: $334.80 gross
- Compared to a day shift ($27.90 x 8 = $223.20), Asha earns an extra $111.60 per shift.
- Clause reference: clause 24.2
Example 3: Part-time admin clerk on a public holiday
Fiona is a part-time CAP2 clerk required to work a 6-hour Australia Day shift.
- Base rate: $25.49/hr
- Public holiday rate: 250% = $25.49 x 2.50 = $63.73/hr
- Total for 6 hours: $382.38 gross
- Clause reference: clause 24.4
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the minimum shift length for rail industry workers?
Casual and part-time employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 11.2). For track workers engaged during weekend possessions, shifts are typically 8 to 12 hours. At the TCI1 casual rate ($30.91/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $92.73 gross.
2. Why are there three separate streams in the Rail Industry Award?
The three streams (Operations, Technical and Civil Infrastructure, and Clerical) reflect the very different work performed in the rail industry. Train drivers and signallers have different skills and responsibilities from track workers and signal technicians, who in turn have different roles from administrative staff. Each stream has classification levels that map to the specific competencies required. Your stream is determined by the type of work you perform, not your employer's preference.
3. Do I get paid extra for working during a rail possession?
A rail possession is when a section of track is closed for maintenance. If the possession falls on a weekend or requires overnight work, you receive the applicable penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, night, or overtime as normal. There is no separate "possession" penalty, but the nature of possession work typically means you will be earning weekend and/or overtime rates for most of the shift.
4. I am a contractor doing track work. Am I under the Rail Award?
If you are employed by a rail contractor (a company whose primary business is rail construction or maintenance) and you perform work on rail infrastructure, you are likely covered by the Rail Industry Award. If your employer is a general construction company that occasionally does rail work, the Building and Construction Award (MA000020) may apply. The test is the employer's primary business activity. See clause 4.
5. Can my employer change my shift pattern without notice?
Your employer must provide reasonable notice of any roster changes. The award requires a minimum of 7 days' notice for changes to rostered shifts (clause 13.4). In emergencies (such as a derailment or natural disaster), shorter notice may be given, but you must still receive the applicable penalty rates for any unusual hours worked.
Check Your Rate
Working in the rail industry? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.
Select your stream (Operations, TCI, or CAP), classification level, employment type, and the day and time you work. The calculator handles shift loadings, weekend penalties, and overtime -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.
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- name: "Rail Industry Award MA000015 Pay Rates July 2025"
- description: "Classification levels and hourly pay rates for rail operations, technical, and clerical employees under the Rail Industry Award"
- temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
- creator: Fair Work Commission
- license: CC BY 4.0
Breadcrumb Schema
Home > Awards > Rail Industry Award (MA000015)
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.