Textile, Clothing, Footwear Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000017)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award covers employees working in the manufacture, processing, and finishing of textiles, clothing, footwear, leather goods, and associated products. If you work as a machinist, cutter, presser, pattern maker, garment finisher, knitter, weaver, dyer, shoe maker, leather worker, or textile factory hand, this award applies to you. It covers roughly 50,000 workers across Australia's textile and clothing manufacturing sector.
This award does NOT cover employees in retail clothing shops (General Retail Industry Award, MA000004), employees in dry cleaning and laundry services (Dry Cleaning and Laundry Award, MA000096), or employees in wool storage and testing (Wool Storage Award, MA000044). The key test is whether your employer's primary business is manufacturing or processing textiles, clothing, or footwear products. See clause 4 for coverage terms.
How classification levels work
The award has a nine-level classification structure from Level 1 through Level 9 (clause 14 and Schedule A). Level 1 covers entry-level employees performing basic manual tasks under direct supervision, such as packing, sorting, and general labouring. Level 2 covers semi-skilled workers who can operate basic machinery. Level 3 covers skilled machinists and operators. Level 4 covers experienced tradespeople and cutters. Level 5 covers senior machinists, pattern makers, and quality inspectors. Levels 6 through 9 cover advanced tradespeople, designers, supervisors, and specialist technical roles.
Seven-day continuous shift provisions
A distinctive feature of this award is the provision for seven-day continuous shiftworkers, particularly in the textile industry stream. Textile factories that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week have specific shift loadings and penalty arrangements. Seven-day continuous shiftworkers receive a flat shift loading on all hours worked, including weekends, which differs from the standard weekend penalty structure. This reflects the reality that continuous production mills (such as spinning and weaving mills) cannot be shut down for weekends.
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 | Factory hand, packing, sorting, basic labouring | $939.50 | $24.73 | $30.91 |
| Level 2 | Semi-skilled machine operator, basic trimming | $968.60 | $25.49 | $31.86 |
| Level 3 | Skilled machinist, experienced operator, basic cutting | $1,010.40 | $26.59 | $33.24 |
| Level 4 | Experienced tradesperson, cutter, Certificate III | $1,060.20 | $27.90 | $34.88 |
| Level 5 | Senior machinist, pattern maker, quality inspector | $1,102.80 | $29.02 | $36.28 |
| Level 6 | Advanced tradesperson, grader, senior cutter | $1,142.60 | $30.07 | $37.59 |
| Level 7 | Designer, supervisor, production 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 28 and clause 29).
Full-Time and Part-Time Day Workers
| When you work | Penalty | Level 1 example | Level 4 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $24.73/hr | $27.90/hr |
| Saturday | 150% (clause 28.1) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Sunday | 200% (clause 28.2) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 28.3) | $61.83/hr | $69.75/hr |
| Overtime -- Mon to Sat first 3 hours | 150% (clause 29.1) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Overtime -- Mon to Sat after 3 hours | 200% (clause 29.1) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
Shiftworkers -- Standard (Non-Continuous)
| When you work | Penalty | Level 1 example | Level 4 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning, afternoon, and night shift | 115% (clause 28.4) | $28.44/hr | $32.09/hr |
| Permanent night shift | 130% (clause 28.4) | $32.15/hr | $36.27/hr |
| Sunday -- all hours | 200% (clause 28.5) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 28.6) | $61.83/hr | $69.75/hr |
Shiftworkers -- Seven-Day Continuous (Textile Industry)
| When you work | Penalty | Level 1 example | Level 4 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| All hours (Monday to Sunday) | 125% (clause 28.7) | $30.91/hr | $34.88/hr |
| Overtime -- midnight Sunday to 7am Monday first 3 hrs | 150% (clause 29.2) | $37.10/hr | $41.85/hr |
| Overtime -- midnight Sunday to 7am Monday after 3 hrs | 200% (clause 29.2) | $49.46/hr | $55.80/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Level 1 example | Level 4 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $30.91/hr | $34.88/hr |
| Saturday | 175% (clause 28.8) | $43.28/hr | $48.83/hr |
| Sunday | 225% (clause 28.8) | $55.64/hr | $62.78/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% (clause 28.9) | $68.01/hr | $76.73/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. See clause 28.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Casual machinist on a Saturday
Lin is a casual Level 3 skilled machinist who works a 6-hour Saturday shift.
- Base rate: $26.59/hr
- Saturday casual rate: 175% = $26.59 x 1.75 = $46.53/hr
- Total for 6 hours: $279.18 gross
- Clause reference: clause 28.8
Example 2: Full-time continuous shiftworker at a textile mill
Sanjay is a permanent Level 2 machine operator at a 24/7 spinning mill, working a regular roster across all seven days.
- Base rate: $25.49/hr
- Seven-day continuous shift rate: 125% = $25.49 x 1.25 = $31.86/hr
- Total for 8 hours (any day): $254.88 gross
- Note: The continuous shift loading applies to all days equally, including Saturday and Sunday.
- Clause reference: clause 28.7
Example 3: Part-time cutter on permanent night shift
Maria is a part-time Level 4 cutter working permanent night shifts (10pm to 6am) in a clothing factory.
- 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
- Clause reference: clause 28.4
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the minimum shift length for textile and clothing workers?
Casual and part-time employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 11.2). For shiftworkers, the minimum shift length is typically 7.6 hours (one standard day). At the Level 1 casual rate ($30.91/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $92.73 gross.
2. What is a seven-day continuous shiftworker?
A seven-day continuous shiftworker is an employee who works in a manufacturing operation that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without shutdown. In the textile industry, this applies to spinning mills, weaving mills, and dyeing operations where machinery runs continuously. These employees receive a flat 25% loading on all ordinary hours (regardless of which day they work), instead of separate Saturday and Sunday penalty rates. See clause 28.7.
3. Do outworkers (home workers) have minimum rates under this award?
Yes. The Textile, Clothing, Footwear Award has specific provisions for outworkers (also known as home workers) who perform work in their homes, typically sewing or finishing garments. Outworkers are entitled to the same minimum rates as factory employees at the equivalent classification level, plus additional loadings to compensate for the use of their home, electricity, and equipment. See clause 22 for outworker provisions.
4. I work in a shoe factory. Is this the right award?
If your employer's primary business is manufacturing footwear (shoes, boots, sandals, slippers), you are covered by the Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award. This includes all stages of footwear manufacturing: cutting, lasting, stitching, finishing, and packing. If you work in a shoe retail shop (not a factory), the General Retail Industry Award applies instead.
5. Can my employer reduce my classification level if work slows down?
No. Your classification level is based on the duties you are competent to perform, not on the current volume of work. If you have been classified at Level 4 based on your skills and duties, your employer cannot reclassify you at Level 2 because orders have slowed down. You must continue to be paid at your correct classification level regardless of workload fluctuations. See clause 14.
Check Your Rate
Working in textile, clothing, or footwear manufacturing? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.
Enter your classification level, employment type, shift pattern (including seven-day continuous), and the day you work. The calculator handles all three shiftwork structures, weekend penalties, and overtime -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.
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- name: "Textile Clothing Footwear Award MA000017 Pay Rates July 2025"
- description: "Classification levels and hourly pay rates for textile, clothing, and footwear manufacturing employees including seven-day continuous shift provisions"
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- creator: Fair Work Commission
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Breadcrumb Schema
Home > Awards > Textile, Clothing, Footwear Award (MA000017)
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.