Telecommunications Services Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000041)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Telecommunications Services Award covers employees working in the telecommunications industry, including those involved in installing, maintaining, and repairing telecommunications networks, cables, equipment, and infrastructure. If you work as a cable joiner, line worker, technician, installer, network maintenance worker, or field service technician for a telecommunications company, this award applies to you. It covers roughly 25,000 workers across carriers, carriage service providers, and telecommunications contractors.

This award does NOT cover employees in general IT services or software development (Professional Employees Award), employees in broadcasting (Broadcasting Award), or employees in retail phone shops (General Retail Industry Award, MA000004). The key test is whether your employer's primary business is providing telecommunications services or maintaining telecommunications infrastructure. 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 employees performing basic labouring and assistant duties under direct supervision. Level 2 covers semi-skilled workers who can use basic test equipment. Level 3 covers qualified technicians (Certificate III) who can independently install and maintain equipment. Level 4 covers experienced technicians handling complex fault-finding. Level 5 covers senior technicians and team leaders. Levels 6 and 7 cover supervisors and specialist technical roles requiring advanced qualifications.

Shiftwork and public holiday structure

Telecommunications networks require 24/7 maintenance and fault response, making shiftwork a key feature of this award. The award provides afternoon and night shift loadings, with permanent night shift attracting a higher premium. Public holiday rates are particularly notable: shiftworkers on afternoon and night shifts during public holidays receive a separate, higher penalty rate than day workers on public holidays.

Classification Levels and Base Rates

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

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 (Day Workers)

Shiftworkers (Full-Time and Part-Time)

Casual Employees

Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. See clause 24.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Casual cable installer on a Saturday morning

Dave is a casual Level 2 cable installer who works a 6-hour Saturday morning shift (7am to 1pm).

• Base rate: $25.49/hr
• Saturday before 1pm casual rate: 175% = $25.49 x 1.75 = $44.61/hr
• Total for 6 hours: $267.66 gross
• Clause reference: clause 24.5

Example 2: Full-time fibre technician on permanent night shift

Rachel is a permanent Level 4 fibre splicing technician working permanent night shifts (10pm to 6am).

• Base rate: $27.90/hr
• Permanent night shift rate: 130% = $27.90 x 1.30 = $36.27/hr
• Total for 8 hours: $290.16 gross
• Compared to day shift ($27.90 x 8 = $223.20), Rachel earns an extra $66.96 per shift.
• Clause reference: clause 24.3

Example 3: Night shiftworker on a public holiday

Miguel is a permanent Level 3 technician working a night shift on a public holiday (10pm to 6am).

• Base rate: $26.59/hr
• Public holiday night shift rate: 275% = $26.59 x 2.75 = $73.12/hr
• Total for 8 hours: $584.96 gross
• Note: The public holiday shiftworker rate (275%) is higher than the standard public holiday rate (250%).
• Clause reference: clause 24.4

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the minimum shift length for telecommunications workers?

Casual and part-time employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 11.2). For callout situations (where an employee is called out after leaving the workplace), a minimum 3-hour payment applies even if the actual work takes less time. At the Level 1 casual rate ($30.91/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $92.73 gross.

2. Why do shiftworkers get a higher public holiday rate than day workers?

Shiftworkers on afternoon and night shifts during public holidays receive 275% instead of the standard 250% for day workers. This additional 25% compensates for working unsociable hours (evening or overnight) on a day that is already a public holiday. The rationale is that working a night shift on Christmas Day or New Year's Day is more disruptive than working a day shift. See clause 24.4.

3. Do I get paid for travel time between job sites?

Yes. Time spent travelling between job sites during your shift is paid at your applicable hourly rate. If you are required to travel to a distant site at the start of your shift, you may also be entitled to a travel allowance or excess fares allowance to cover the additional transport costs (clause 19). Travel time does not reset the minimum engagement.

4. I install NBN connections. Am I under this award?

If you are an employee (not a contractor) of a telecommunications company or NBN subcontractor, and your primary duties involve installing or maintaining telecommunications infrastructure, you are likely covered by the Telecommunications Services Award. Many NBN installers work as subcontractors rather than employees, in which case the award does not apply directly. The employment relationship determines award coverage.

5. Are there height or confined space allowances?

Yes. The award includes allowances for employees required to work at heights (on towers, poles, or elevated work platforms) and in confined spaces (underground pits, conduits, and cable tunnels). These disability allowances are paid per hour in addition to the base rate and recognise the additional risk and discomfort of this work. See clause 19.

Check Your Rate

Working in telecommunications? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.

Check your pay rate now

Enter your classification level, employment type, shift pattern, and the day you work. The calculator handles shiftwork loadings, the Saturday morning/afternoon split, and the separate public holiday shiftworker rate -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.

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• name: "Telecommunications Services Award MA000041 Pay Rates July 2025"
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• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Telecommunications Services Award (MA000041)

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.