Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000084)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Storage Services and Wholesale Award covers employees working in warehousing, storage, distribution, and wholesale operations. If you work as a warehouse hand, forklift driver, picker/packer, storesperson, inventory controller, delivery driver (short distance), or wholesale sales worker in a warehousing or wholesale business, this award applies to you. It covers roughly 100,000 workers across Australia's logistics, storage, and wholesale distribution sector.
This award does NOT cover employees in long-distance road transport (Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award), employees in retail distribution centres owned by a retail company (General Retail Industry Award, MA000004), or employees in manufacturing warehouses where the warehouse is part of a manufacturing operation (Manufacturing Award, MA000010). The key test is whether your employer's primary business is providing storage, warehousing, or wholesale distribution services. See clause 4 for coverage terms.
How classification levels work
The award has a seven-level classification structure from Level 1 through Level 7 (clause 14 and Schedule A). Level 1 covers entry-level workers performing basic manual tasks such as loading and unloading, stacking, and general labouring. Level 2 covers experienced warehouse workers who can operate basic equipment. Level 3 covers forklift drivers, experienced pickers, and team members with additional responsibilities. Level 4 covers qualified tradespersons and senior operators. Levels 5 through 7 cover team leaders, supervisors, and specialist logistics roles.
Shiftwork with early morning, afternoon, and night loadings
Many distribution centres operate extended hours or multiple shifts to meet delivery schedules. The award provides specific loadings for early morning shifts (starting before 6am), afternoon shifts, and night shifts. The early morning loading is a distinctive feature not found in many other awards, reflecting the reality that warehouse and distribution workers often start at 3am or 4am to prepare orders for morning deliveries.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
| Level | Typical Duties (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Warehouse hand, loading/unloading, basic labouring | $939.50 | $24.73 | $30.91 |
| Level 2 | Experienced warehouse worker, basic equipment operation | $968.60 | $25.49 | $31.86 |
| Level 3 | Forklift driver, experienced picker/packer, inventory check | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| Level 4 | Qualified tradesperson, senior operator, Certificate III | $1,060.20 | $27.90 | $34.88 |
| Level 5 | Team leader, logistics coordinator, senior storesperson | $1,102.80 | $29.02 | $36.28 |
| Level 6 | Supervisor, specialist logistics, warehouse manager | $1,142.60 | $30.07 | $37.59 |
| Level 7 | Senior supervisor, operations manager, regional coordinator | $1,186.80 | $31.23 | $39.04 |
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 Day Workers
| When you work | Penalty | Level 1 example | Level 3 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $24.73/hr | $26.59/hr |
| Saturday | 150% (clause 24.1) | $37.10/hr | $39.89/hr |
| Sunday | 200% (clause 24.2) | $49.46/hr | $53.18/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 24.3) | $61.83/hr | $66.48/hr |
| Overtime -- Mon to Sat first 2 hours | 150% (clause 25.1) | $37.10/hr | $39.89/hr |
| Overtime -- Mon to Sat after 2 hours | 200% (clause 25.1) | $49.46/hr | $53.18/hr |
Shiftworkers (Full-Time and Part-Time)
| When you work | Penalty | Level 1 example | Level 3 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning shift (starting before 6am) | 110% (clause 24.4) | $27.20/hr | $29.25/hr |
| Afternoon shift | 115% (clause 24.4) | $28.44/hr | $30.58/hr |
| Night shift | 130% (clause 24.4) | $32.15/hr | $34.57/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Level 1 example | Level 3 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $30.91/hr | $33.24/hr |
| Saturday | 175% (clause 24.5) | $43.28/hr | $46.53/hr |
| Sunday | 225% (clause 24.5) | $55.64/hr | $59.83/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% (clause 24.6) | $68.01/hr | $73.12/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. See clause 24.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Casual picker/packer on a Saturday
Jin is a casual Level 3 picker/packer who works a 7-hour Saturday shift in a distribution centre.
- Base rate: $26.59/hr
- Saturday casual rate: 175% = $26.59 x 1.75 = $46.53/hr
- Total for 7 hours: $325.71 gross
- Clause reference: clause 24.5
Example 2: Full-time forklift driver on an early morning shift
Steve is a permanent Level 3 forklift driver who works an early morning shift (3am to 11am) Monday to Friday.
- Base rate: $26.59/hr
- Early morning shift rate: 110% = $26.59 x 1.10 = $29.25/hr
- Total for 8 hours: $234.00 gross
- Compared to a standard day shift ($26.59 x 8 = $212.72), Steve earns an extra $21.28 per shift.
- Clause reference: clause 24.4
Example 3: Part-time warehouse worker on a public holiday with overtime
Lisa is a part-time Level 1 warehouse hand who works an 8-hour public holiday shift, with the last 2 hours being overtime.
- Base rate: $24.73/hr
- First 6 hours (public holiday ordinary): 250% = $24.73 x 2.50 = $61.83/hr x 6 = $370.98
- Last 2 hours (overtime on public holiday): the higher of overtime or public holiday rate applies = $61.83/hr x 2 = $123.66
- Total for 8 hours: $494.64 gross
- Clause reference: clause 24.3, clause 25.1
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the minimum shift length for warehouse workers?
Casual and part-time employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 11.2). This applies even during quiet periods when there is little work. At the Level 1 casual rate ($30.91/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $92.73 gross.
2. Do I need a forklift licence to be classified at Level 3?
Not necessarily, but holding a forklift licence (high risk work licence for forklift) is one of the criteria that can support classification at Level 3 or above. Level 3 covers employees who operate forklifts and other powered industrial equipment. If you operate a forklift as a regular part of your duties, you must hold the appropriate licence, and your classification should reflect this skill. See Schedule A.
3. What is the early morning shift loading and when does it apply?
The early morning shift loading (110%) applies to shiftworkers whose shift starts before 6am (clause 24.4). This loading recognises the disruption of very early starts, which are common in warehousing and distribution where orders need to be picked and dispatched for morning deliveries. The loading is lower than afternoon (115%) and night (130%) shift loadings.
4. I work in a Woolworths distribution centre. Am I under this award?
It depends on your employer. If you are employed directly by Woolworths (or Coles, or another major retailer), you may be under the General Retail Industry Award or an enterprise agreement specific to that employer. If you are employed by a third-party logistics company that operates the distribution centre under contract (such as Linfox or Toll), you are more likely under the Storage Services and Wholesale Award. The test is the identity and primary business of your employer.
5. Can my employer change my shift from day to night without notice?
Your employer must provide reasonable notice of any roster or shift changes. The award requires a minimum of 7 days' notice for permanent changes to shift patterns (clause 13.4). If you are changed from a day shift to a night shift, you are entitled to the applicable night shift loading from the first shift. Your employer cannot retrospectively apply day rates to a shift that included night hours.
Check Your Rate
Working in a warehouse, distribution centre, or wholesale operation? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.
Enter your classification level, employment type, shift pattern, and the day you work. The calculator handles early morning, afternoon, and night shift loadings, weekend penalties, and overtime -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.
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- creator: Fair Work Commission
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Home > Awards > Storage Services and Wholesale Award (MA000084)
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.