Seafood Processing 2025 Pay Rates (MA000068)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Seafood Processing covers employees in seafood processing operations, including fish filleters, prawn processors, shellfish shuckers, quality control staff, and packing workers at seafood processing facilities. If you work processing, filleting, or packing seafood, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 8,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover commercial fishers (who are typically independent operators), aquaculture workers (Aquaculture Industry Award, MA000114), 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 filleter, quality controller, and supervisor. Shiftworkers (continuous and non-continuous) have different provisions from day workers.

Key features of this award

Seafood processing is driven by catch landings and seasonal availability. The award includes shiftwork provisions for continuous and non-continuous operations, with specific penalty rates for non-successive 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 MA000068 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 MA000068. 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 MA000068:

• Afternoon & night
• Continuous shiftworker - All day
• Continuous shiftworker - Sunday or public holiday
• Monday to Saturday - after 3 hours
• Monday to Saturday - first 3 hours
• Non-continuous shiftworker - Monday-Saturday - after 3 hours
• Non-continuous shiftworker - Monday-Saturday - first 3 hours
• Non-continuous shiftworker - Public holiday
• Non-continuous shiftworker - Sunday
• Non-successive shifts - after 3 hours
• Non-successive shifts - first 3 hours
• Ordinary hours
• Permanent night
• Public holiday
• Saturday
• Saturday - After noon
• Saturday - Before noon
• Saturday - after noon
• Saturday - before noon
• 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 3 hours-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000068 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 MA000068 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 MA000068 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is seafood processing seasonal?

Many seafood processing operations are seasonal, driven by fishing seasons and catch availability. The award covers both permanent and casual employees, with casual employment common during peak seasons.

2. What is a non-successive shift?

A non-successive shift is one that does not follow in regular succession (e.g., an isolated afternoon shift). These attract specific penalty rates reflecting the disruption to normal routines.

3. Are quality control staff covered?

Yes, quality control and laboratory staff at seafood 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 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 MA000068. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in seafood 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

FAQ Schema (FAQPage)

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Seafood Processing MA000068 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for fish and seafood processing workers under the Seafood Processing"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Seafood Processing (MA000068)

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.