Surveying 2025 Pay Rates (MA000066)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Surveying covers employees in the surveying industry, including licensed surveyors, survey technicians, survey assistants, and field survey crew. If you perform land surveying, engineering surveying, or cadastral surveying as an employee, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 5,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover mining surveyors employed by mining companies (Mining Industry Award, MA000011), construction workers performing set-out (Building and Construction General On-site Award, MA000020), or quantity surveyors (Professional Employees Award, MA000065). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

Classifications cover roles from survey assistant through to survey technician, licensed surveyor, and senior surveyor. Levels reflect surveying qualifications and registration.

Key features of this award

Field surveying often requires early starts and travel to remote locations. The award provides overtime rates for work beyond ordinary hours, with a notably high penalty rate of 312.5% for some overtime situations.

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 MA000066 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 MA000066. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 312.5% 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 MA000066:

• Monday to Saturday - after 3 hours
• Monday to Saturday - first 3 hours
• Ordinary hours
• Public holiday
• 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 MA000066 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 MA000066 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 312.5%)
• 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 MA000066 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the maximum penalty rate so high in the Surveying Award?

The Surveying Award includes penalty rates up to 312.5% for certain overtime scenarios, reflecting the specialised nature of the work and historical industrial conditions.

2. Are drone survey operators covered?

If you are an employee performing survey work using drones as part of a surveying operation, you may be covered by this award.

3. Does the award cover GPS/GNSS field work?

Yes, employees performing field surveying using any technology (total stations, GPS/GNSS, laser scanning) are covered.

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 MA000066. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in surveying 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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• creator: Fair Work Commission
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Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Surveying (MA000066)

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.