Wool Storage, Sampling and Testing Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000044)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Wool Storage, Sampling and Testing Award covers employees working in the wool handling industry, specifically those involved in storing, warehousing, sampling, testing, classing, and dumping wool. If you work in a wool store, testing laboratory, or wool handling facility as a wool handler, sampler, tester, classer, dumper, presser, or forklift driver, this award applies to you. It covers a niche but important segment of Australia's agricultural supply chain, with roughly 5,000 workers across major wool-handling centres in Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia.

This award does NOT cover employees on sheep farms (Pastoral Award, MA000035), employees in wool scouring and textile processing (Textile, Clothing, Footwear Award, MA000017), or employees in general warehousing and storage not related to wool (Storage Services and Wholesale Award, MA000084). The key test is whether your employer's primary business involves handling raw wool between shearing and sale. See clause 4.1 for coverage terms.

How classification levels work

The award has a classification structure from Level 1 through Level 5 (clause 14 and Schedule A). Level 1 covers entry-level employees performing basic manual tasks under direct supervision, such as stacking bales and basic warehouse duties. Level 2 covers employees operating machinery and performing semi-skilled tasks. Level 3 covers qualified wool classers, experienced samplers, and forklift operators. Level 4 covers senior classers and team leaders. Level 5 covers supervisory roles and employees with advanced technical skills in wool testing and grading.

Shiftwork and continuous operations

Many wool stores operate seasonal shifts during peak wool-selling periods. The award has provisions for afternoon and night shift loadings, permanent night shift premiums, and specific rates for continuous shiftworkers who work across all seven days. Saturday work after 12pm attracts a higher penalty than Saturday morning work, reflecting the industry convention of Saturday morning shifts being common during selling season.

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 bale handler on a Saturday morning

Craig is a casual Level 1 bale handler who works a 5-hour Saturday morning shift (7am to 12pm).

• Base rate: $24.73/hr
• Saturday before 12pm casual rate: 175% = $24.73 x 1.75 = $43.28/hr
• Total for 5 hours: $216.40 gross
• Clause reference: clause 24.6

Example 2: Full-time wool classer on a public holiday

Sarah is a permanent Level 3 wool classer who works a 7.6-hour shift on Australia Day.

• Base rate: $26.59/hr
• Public holiday rate: 250% = $26.59 x 2.50 = $66.48/hr
• Total for 7.6 hours: $505.25 gross
• Clause reference: clause 24.3

Example 3: Permanent night shift laboratory technician

Wei is a permanent Level 4 laboratory technician working a permanent night shift (10pm to 6am) in a wool testing facility.

• 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 a day shift ($27.90 x 8 = $223.20), Wei earns an extra $66.96 per shift.
• Clause reference: clause 24.4

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the minimum shift length for wool storage 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 in the wool calendar. At the Level 1 casual rate ($30.91/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $92.73 gross.

2. Why is Saturday afternoon paid at a higher rate than Saturday morning?

The award distinguishes between Saturday before 12pm (150%) and Saturday after 12pm (200%) for permanent employees. This reflects the industry convention where Saturday morning work during wool-selling season was considered quasi-normal, while Saturday afternoon work cuts deeper into personal time. The split rate has been maintained from pre-modern awards. See clause 24.1.

3. Is there a seasonal nature to work under this award?

Yes. The wool industry has peak periods aligned with wool auctions and shearing seasons (typically spring and autumn). During peak periods, employers may increase shifts and require overtime. The award's shiftwork and penalty provisions accommodate this seasonal demand. Casual employment is common during peak periods, with many workers engaged on a seasonal basis.

4. I work in a wool testing laboratory. Am I under this award or a different one?

If your employer's primary business is wool testing, sampling, and grading, you are covered by the Wool Storage, Sampling and Testing Award (MA000044). This includes laboratory technicians who test fibre diameter, staple strength, and other wool quality metrics. If you work in a general scientific laboratory not specifically focused on wool, you may be under the Professional Employees Award or the Miscellaneous Award.

5. Do continuous shiftworkers get extra annual leave?

Yes. Continuous shiftworkers (those who work on a roster covering all seven days of the week, 24 hours a day) are entitled to an additional week of annual leave under the National Employment Standards (section 87 of the Fair Work Act). This gives continuous shiftworkers 5 weeks of paid annual leave instead of the standard 4 weeks.

Check Your Rate

Working in a wool store, testing lab, or handling facility? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.

Check your pay rate now

Enter your classification level, employment type, shift type, and the day and time you work. The calculator handles the Saturday morning/afternoon split, shiftwork loadings, and continuous shift provisions -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.

Schema Markup Suggestions

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Wool Storage Sampling and Testing Award MA000044 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and hourly pay rates for wool storage, sampling, and testing employees including shiftwork loadings"
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• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Wool Storage, Sampling and Testing Award (MA000044)

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.