Local Government Award Pay Rates by Level
Adult minimum rates for full-time and part-time employees under the Local Government Industry Award 2020. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees at their classification — the difference is hours, not rate. The casual column adds the 25% loading (cl 11.1).
| Classification level | Weekly (38 hrs) | Hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $1,030.10 | $27.11 | $33.89 |
| Level 2 | $1,062.90 | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Level 3 | $1,103.00 | $29.03 | $36.29 |
| Level 4 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Level 5 | $1,189.40 | $31.30 | $39.13 |
| Level 6 | $1,287.20 | $33.87 | $42.34 |
| Level 7 | $1,309.50 | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| Level 8 | $1,415.00 | $37.24 | $46.55 |
| Level 9 | $1,513.70 | $39.83 | $49.79 |
| Level 10 | $1,654.40 | $43.54 | $54.43 |
| Level 11 | $1,865.60 | $49.09 | $61.36 |
Weekly rates are the award’s minimum weekly rate for a full-time employee (cl 16.1); hourly is the weekly rate divided by 38.
Which level am I?
- How levels are set: The employer decides the level from the skill level needed for the principal functions of the job, and must tell you your level in writing (cl 12.2–12.3). The full definitions are in Schedule A.
Weekend penalty rates depend on your role, and many councils pay under an enterprise agreement
Most council employees work Monday to Friday, 6.00 am to 6.00 pm, and anything outside that is overtime. Saturday 150% and Sunday 175% apply to ordinary hours worked in the specific roles listed in cl 13.1(e) to (g), and community services and recreation centre employees are not paid weekend penalties between 5.00 am and 10.00 pm (cl 22.3). If a council enterprise agreement covers you, it replaces this award, as long as it leaves you better off overall.
Worked example: a library assistant on a Sunday
Nina is a permanent Level 3 library employee ($29.03 an hour) who works 5 ordinary hours on a Sunday. Library ordinary hours can be worked Monday to Sunday, 8.00 am to 9.00 pm (cl 13.1(f)), so the Sunday weekend penalty applies.
- Sunday ordinary hours for a library employee are 175% (cl 22.2(a)(ii)): $29.03 × 1.75 = $50.80 an hour.
- 5 hours × $50.80 = $254.00 before tax.
- A casual in the same role is paid 200% (the 175% plus the 25% loading), which is $58.06 an hour.
Try your own hours in the overtime pay calculator or the casual loading calculator, add up a full week in the weekly pay calculator, or check the public holiday pay guide.
Local Government Award Pay Guide 2026-27: Every Level, Every Day
The hourly rate for each classification at each penalty band, in the layout of the Fair Work pay guide. Find your level, then the day you worked.
Full-time and part-time
| Classification | Ordinary hours100% | Mon–Fri outside the span120% | Saturday (listed roles)150% | Sunday (listed roles)175% | Public holiday250% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.11 | $32.53 | $40.67 | $47.44 | $67.78 |
| Level 2 | $27.97 | $33.56 | $41.96 | $48.95 | $69.93 |
| Level 3 | $29.03 | $34.84 | $43.55 | $50.80 | $72.58 |
| Level 4 | $29.45 | $35.34 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $73.63 |
| Level 5 | $31.30 | $37.56 | $46.95 | $54.78 | $78.25 |
| Level 6 | $33.87 | $40.64 | $50.81 | $59.27 | $84.68 |
| Level 7 | $34.46 | $41.35 | $51.69 | $60.31 | $86.15 |
| Level 8 | $37.24 | $44.69 | $55.86 | $65.17 | $93.10 |
| Level 9 | $39.83 | $47.80 | $59.75 | $69.70 | $99.58 |
| Level 10 | $43.54 | $52.25 | $65.31 | $76.20 | $108.85 |
| Level 11 | $49.09 | $58.91 | $73.64 | $85.91 | $122.73 |
Casual
| Classification | Ordinary hours125% | Mon–Fri outside the span145% | Saturday (listed roles)175% | Sunday (listed roles)200% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $33.89 | $39.31 | $47.44 | $54.22 |
| Level 2 | $34.96 | $40.56 | $48.95 | $55.94 |
| Level 3 | $36.29 | $42.09 | $50.80 | $58.06 |
| Level 4 | $36.81 | $42.70 | $51.54 | $58.90 |
| Level 5 | $39.13 | $45.39 | $54.78 | $62.60 |
| Level 6 | $42.34 | $49.11 | $59.27 | $67.74 |
| Level 7 | $43.08 | $49.97 | $60.31 | $68.92 |
| Level 8 | $46.55 | $54.00 | $65.17 | $74.48 |
| Level 9 | $49.79 | $57.75 | $69.70 | $79.66 |
| Level 10 | $54.43 | $63.13 | $76.20 | $87.08 |
| Level 11 | $61.36 | $71.18 | $85.91 | $98.18 |
Casual figures are the award's casual percentages, which already include the 25% loading where it applies. Figures are rounded to the cent. A dash means the column does not apply to that classification.
Local Government Award Penalty Rates
| When worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Level 1 | Casual | $ casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday — ordinary hours outside the span of hoursCl 22.1. Applies to ordinary hours worked outside the span for the role. | 120% | $32.53 | 145% | $39.31 |
| Saturday — roles in cl 13.1(e) to (g)Cl 22.2(a)(i). Not paid to community services and recreation centre staff between 5.00 am and 10.00 pm. | 150% | $40.67 | 175% | $47.44 |
| Sunday — roles in cl 13.1(e) to (g)Cl 22.2(a)(ii). Same exclusion for community services and recreation centres. | 175% | $47.44 | 200% | $54.22 |
| Public holidayCl 28.2. Schedule B does not tabulate a casual public holiday rate, so none is printed.Public holiday pay calculator & dates by state → | 250% | $67.78 | – | – |
Source: cl 22, cl 28 and Schedule B.1 / B.2.1.
Most employees work ordinary hours Monday to Friday, 6.00 am to 6.00 pm (cl 13.1(d)). Weekend ordinary hours exist only for the roles listed in cl 13.1(e) to (g): airports, caretakers and caravan parks, catering and hospitality, cleaners, community services, garbage and sanitary services, livestock and saleyards, local law enforcement, parking, recreation centres and golf courses, tourism, libraries and customer service centres. Everyone else's weekend work is overtime.
Casual penalties are the permanent percentage plus the 25% loading: 120% becomes 145%, 150% becomes 175%, and 175% becomes 200% (Schedule B.2.1; cl 11.2).
Different spans apply by role: 5.00 am to 10.00 pm Monday to Sunday for the cl 13.1(e) roles, 8.00 am to 9.00 pm for libraries, and 6.00 am to 7.00 pm for childcare. Work outside the span for your role attracts the 120% weekday rate (cl 22.1).
Local Government Award Overtime Rates
| Overtime worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Level 1 | Casual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday — first 2 hours | 150% | $40.67 | 150% · $40.67 |
| Monday to Friday — after 2 hours | 200% | $54.22 | 200% · $54.22 |
| Saturday before 12 noon — first 2 hours | 150% | $40.67 | 150% · $40.67 |
| Saturday before 12 noon — after 2 hours | 200% | $54.22 | 200% · $54.22 |
| Saturday from 12 noon and all of Sunday | 200% | $54.22 | 200% · $54.22 |
| Public holiday | 250% | $67.78 | 250% · $67.78 |
Source: cl 21.2 and Schedule B.1.4.
The casual loading is not paid on overtime hours (cl 21.2(c)). A casual's overtime is the same percentage of the minimum rate as a permanent employee's.
Call-back: an employee recalled to work overtime after leaving is paid for a minimum of 3 hours at the overtime rate (cl 21.5). An employee made to resume work without a 10-hour break is paid 200% until released (cl 21.4(b)(ii)).
Local Government Award Junior Rates
Junior rates are a percentage of the adult rate for the classification (cl 16.2), and apply to the minimum rate for the employee's classification. The dollar columns apply the percentage to Level 1 ($1,030.10 a week) and divide by 38. The full adult rate applies from age 21.
| Age | % of adult rate | Weekly on Level 1 | Hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 17 | 55.0% | $566.56 | $14.91 | $18.64 |
| 17 | 65% | $669.57 | $17.62 | $22.03 |
| 18 | 75% | $772.58 | $20.33 | $25.41 |
| 19 | 85% | $875.59 | $23.04 | $28.80 |
| 20 | 95% | $978.60 | $25.75 | $32.19 |
| 21 and over | 100% | $1,030.10 | $27.11 | $33.89 |
For how junior scales compare across awards and against the National Minimum Wage, see our junior pay rates guide.
Local Government Award Allowances
Fixed-dollar allowances in cl 19, operative from 1 July 2026. Each is paid only where the clause’s conditions are met.
| Allowance | Amount | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| First aid allowance | $20.62 per week | cl 19.2(b)(i) |
| Leading hand — supervising 1 to 5 employees (supervisor level 3 or 4) | $32.40 per week | cl 19.2(a) |
| Leading hand — supervising 6 to 15 employees (supervisor level 3 or 4) | $44.18 per week | cl 19.2(a) |
| Leading hand — supervising over 15 employees (supervisor level 3, 4 or 5) | $55.96 per week | cl 19.2(a) |
| On-call allowance — Monday to Friday | $29.45 per day | cl 19.2(e)(i) |
| On-call allowance — Saturday | $44.18 per day | cl 19.2(e)(ii) |
| On-call allowance — Sunday or public holiday | $58.90 per day | cl 19.2(e)(iii) |
| Sleepover (additional to the on-call allowance) | $14.73 per hour | cl 21.7(a) |
| Meal allowance (overtime of more than 2 hours) | $20.75 per occasion | cl 19.3(a)(i) |
| Tool allowance — tradespersons and apprentices | $22.25 per week | cl 19.3(b)(i) |
| Vehicle allowance — motor vehicle | $1.00 per km | cl 19.3(c)(i) |
Minimum Shifts and Hours
- A casual must be engaged and paid for at least 2 consecutive hours each time they attend work (cl 11.3).
- An employee can work up to 10 ordinary hours a day, or 12 by agreement (cl 13.1(k)). Full-time ordinary hours average 38 a week over 28 days (cl 13.1(b)).
- Any employee can work ordinary hours outside the span for their role if they are paid the 120% weekday rate for those hours (cl 13.1(j)).
What does a local government award rate take home?
Working a mix of shifts? Enter your hours in the weekly pay calculator, or turn a salary into net pay with the take-home pay calculator.
What This Page Does Not Cover
These parts of the award carry rules or rates we have not verified line by line, so we publish no figures for them:
- The casual public holiday rate — Schedule B.2.1 has no public holiday column
- Apprentice rates (cl 16.3, percentages of the Level 4 rate) and school-based apprentices (Schedule D)
- Community services and recreation centre weekend rates, beyond the outside-5am-to-10pm exception noted above (Schedule B.1.3)
- Annualised wage arrangements (cl 18) and the remaining allowances in cl 19.2
An enterprise agreement, if one covers your workplace, replaces these award rates — though it must leave you better off overall.
When These Rates Took Effect
Applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, not universally 1 July. If your pay period began before 1 July 2026, the previous rate lawfully applies to that whole period and the rise starts with the next one. The award was varied by determination PR799392 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If you have been paid below these rates, our backpay calculator works out what is owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Government Award questions and answers
What are the local government award pay rates for 2026-27?
Under the Local Government Industry Award 2020 (MA000112), adult minimum rates run from $27.11 an hour ($1,030.10 a week) for Level 1 to $49.09 an hour ($1,865.60 a week) for Level 11. They apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
What is the casual rate under the Local Government Award?
Casuals receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate, so Level 1 becomes $33.89 an hour. Casual penalty rates add the loading rather than multiplying by it — the casual column in the award is the permanent percentage plus 25 percentage points.
What allowances are paid under the Local Government Award?
The award's allowances clause (cl 19) includes: first aid allowance $20.62 per week; leading hand — supervising 1 to 5 employees (supervisor level 3 or 4) $32.40 per week; leading hand — supervising 6 to 15 employees (supervisor level 3 or 4) $44.18 per week; leading hand — supervising over 15 employees (supervisor level 3, 4 or 5) $55.96 per week; on-call allowance — Monday to Friday $29.45 per day. Allowances are paid on top of the classification rate when the employee meets the clause's conditions.
What are the junior rates under the Local Government Award?
Junior rates are a percentage of the adult rate for the classification (cl 16.2): Under 17 55%, 17 65%, 18 75%, 19 85%, 20 95%. The full adult rate applies from age 21. They apply to the minimum rate for the employee's classification.
When did the new local government award rates start?
Applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, not universally 1 July. The MA000112 rates were varied by determination PR799392 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If your pay period started before 1 July 2026, the old rate lawfully applies to that whole period.
What are the Local Government Award weekend rates?
For employees in the roles with weekend ordinary hours, Saturday is 150% and Sunday 175% for permanent staff ($40.67 and $47.44 at Level 1), and 175% and 200% for casuals. Ordinary hours worked Monday to Friday outside the span for your role are 120% (casuals 145%). Everyone else works weekends as overtime.
What is local government overtime pay?
150% of the minimum rate for the first 2 hours and 200% after that, Monday to Saturday before noon; 200% from noon on Saturday and all day Sunday; and 250% on a public holiday. The casual loading is not paid on overtime. A recalled employee is paid a minimum of 3 hours (cl 21.5).
What is the on-call allowance for council staff?
An employee directed to be on call and who receives the on-call allowance is paid $29.45 a day Monday to Friday, $44.18 on a Saturday and $58.90 on a Sunday or public holiday (cl 19.2(e)), and is paid at overtime rates for time worked.
Is a council worker's casual public holiday rate 275%?
The award's Schedule B does not list a casual public holiday rate, and the clauses leave it unclear whether the 25% casual loading is added. We therefore do not print one. Permanent staff are paid 250% for a public holiday. Check your enterprise agreement or the Fair Work pay guide.
How these rates were verified▼
Every figure comes from one constants file transcribed on 5 October 2026 from the Fair Work Commission’s consolidated MA000112 award text, which incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 July 2026 (PR799280, PR799392 and PR799547). Clause numbers are cited against each table. Hourly is the published weekly rate divided by 38; derived dollar figures are rounded half up to the cent.
Automated tests pin the published rates, check every hourly rate against its weekly rate, and assert the rules this award is most often modelled wrongly on — including that casual penalties add the loading rather than multiplying by it. Parts of the award we have not verified are listed as gaps rather than estimated.
Sources & References
- 1Consolidated award text — Local Government Industry Award 2020 (MA000112)— Fair Work Commission
- 2Award summary and pay guide — MA000112— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 3Annual Wage Review 2026— Fair Work Commission
Last verified: 5 October 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Anita Bell
AuthorFounder & Senior Bookkeeper
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Anita Bell earned her accountancy degree in 2015 and has worked as a senior bookkeeper with Prime Bookkeeping for over 5 years. This built her skills in Australian and New Zealand tax legislation and industry regulations. She is certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One, and works with payroll and rostering software including Gusto, Deputy, Tsheets and KeyPay. She has strong experience in hospitality, building and construction, financial services, real estate, ecommerce, and medical and health services.
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