State Government Agencies Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000121)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The State Government Agencies Award covers employees working for state and territory government agencies that are covered by the national workplace relations system. This primarily includes employees of state government agencies in Victoria and the territories (ACT, NT), plus certain state government corporations and authorities in other states that have referred their industrial powers to the Commonwealth. It covers administrative officers, technical staff, operational staff, and professional employees across a range of government functions.

This award does NOT cover employees of state government agencies in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, or Tasmania that operate under their own state industrial relations systems. It also does not apply to local government employees, school teachers, or police officers. See clause 4 for the detailed coverage rules.

How classification grades work

The award uses a grading system with administrative, operational, technical, and professional streams. Administrative officers are classified from Grade 1 (entry-level clerical) through to Grade 6 (senior administrative management). Each grade has multiple pay points reflecting progression based on service and performance. Your employer must classify you at the grade that matches the complexity and responsibility of your actual duties, not simply the title of your position.

Shift work provisions

State government agencies that operate outside standard business hours (emergency services support, transport operations, 24-hour service desks) employ shiftworkers under this award. The shift penalty structure distinguishes between rotating shifts (afternoon and night) and non-rotating (permanent) night shift. Shiftworkers also receive separate weekend and public holiday penalty rates.

Classification Levels and Base Rates

All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.

Administrative Stream

Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38. Annual rates are indicative (actual annual = weekly x 52.17857). Each grade has multiple pay points -- only Pay Point 1 shown.

Penalty Rates

All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate (clause 22 and clause 25).

Full-Time and Part-Time Employees (Non-Shiftworkers)

Full-Time and Part-Time Shiftworkers

Casual Employees

Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. The loading is built into the multiplier.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does this award cover all state government workers?

No. This award only covers state government agency employees who fall under the national workplace relations system. In practice, this means primarily Victorian and territory (ACT, NT) government agency employees, plus certain government corporations in other states. NSW, Queensland, SA, WA, and Tasmanian state government employees are generally covered by their respective state industrial relations systems and state awards. Check with your HR department if you are unsure.

2. How does the public holiday provision work for non-shiftworkers?

Non-shiftworkers who work on a public holiday receive 150% of their base rate for the hours worked, plus a substitute day off (clause 25.1). This is different from most private sector awards where the rate is 250% with no substitute day. The combined value (150% pay plus a paid day off) is designed to provide roughly equivalent compensation. Shiftworkers receive 250% with no substitute day.

3. What are the ordinary hours for state government employees?

Ordinary hours are 38 per week or an average of 38 per week over a roster cycle (clause 13.1). For non-shiftworkers, the span is 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday to Friday. Many state government agencies operate flexible working arrangements where employees can vary their start and finish times within this span. Any hours outside the span or beyond 38 per week are overtime.

4. Do I progress through pay points automatically?

Pay point progression within your grade is based on satisfactory performance and completion of 12 months' service at your current pay point. If your performance is satisfactory (which is the default unless your employer has documented otherwise through a formal process), you are entitled to move to the next pay point. Your employer cannot simply refuse progression without a valid reason.

5. What happens if I am temporarily acting in a higher grade?

If you are directed to perform the duties of a higher grade for more than 5 consecutive working days, you are entitled to be paid at the minimum pay point of the higher grade for the duration of the acting period (clause 15). This applies even if you are only performing some of the higher-grade duties. Keep a record of when you start and finish acting in the higher role.

Check Your Rate

Working for a state government agency? Use our free calculator to check your exact rate based on your classification grade, pay point, and work pattern.

Check your pay rate now

Select your classification stream (administrative, technical, operational, or professional), enter your grade and pay point, and get a breakdown of your exact pay -- including the shift loadings and public holiday provisions specific to government employment.

Schema Markup Suggestions

FAQ Schema (FAQPage)

Apply FAQPage schema to the 5 FAQ questions and answers above.

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity": [
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Does the State Government Agencies Award cover all state government workers?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "No. This award only covers state government agency employees under the national workplace relations system, primarily Victorian and territory (ACT, NT) employees, plus certain government corporations in other states. NSW, Queensland, SA, WA, and Tasmanian employees are generally covered by state industrial relations systems."
      }
    }
  ]
}

Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "State Government Agencies Award MA000121 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification grades and hourly pay rates for state government agency employees under the State Government Agencies Award"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > State Government Agencies Award (MA000121)

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.