Pay Rates

Pay rates are set by classification, not by job title. The Pastoral Award 2020 sets six dairy classifications — FLH1, FLH2, FLH3, FLH5, FLH7 and FLH8 — reflecting skills, experience and the work performed. The classification descriptions are in the award and on the Awards page.

Juniors are paid a percentage of the relevant adult rate:

• under 16: 50%
• 16: 60%
• 17: 70%
• 18: 80%
• 19: 90%
• 20: 100%

Under the Pastoral Award 2020, ordinary hours are 152 over a four-week period, even where some fall on weekends. Overtime is only payable once 152 hours have been worked. For full detail, see the Awards section.

• Casual employees: same ordinary hours as full-time; paid the hourly rate plus a 25% loading; a minimum of three hours per shift (two for full-time secondary students aged 18 or under).
• Part-time employees: overtime applies to hours beyond their agreed hours; the same three-hour (or two-hour) minimum shift applies.

Ordinary hours for full-time and casual employees, ordinary hours are 152 over a four-week period (38 per week on average under federal law). These hours are used to determine when overtime rates apply under the Pastoral Award 2020. For full-time employees, ordinary hours are also used to calculate leave entitlements and termination payments.

Overtime under the Pastoral Award 2020 is generally payable once a full-time or casual employee works more than 152 hours in a four-week roster cycle. Unlike many awards, there is no automatic weekend penalty simply because work is performed on a Saturday or Sunday. However, hours worked in excess of the ordinary hours threshold are paid at the applicable overtime rates, including hours worked on weekends once the threshold has been exceeded.

Part-time employees are treated differently, with overtime generally applying when they work beyond their agreed regular hours or outside the hours specified in their employment agreement.

Public Holidays are paid at double time (200% of the base rate) for full-time and part-time farm and livestock hands. Casual employees who work on a public holiday are paid 225% of the base rate, reflecting the public holiday penalty plus the casual loading. Only one penalty applies at a time. If a public holiday falls during overtime, pay the applicable public holiday rate on the base rate rather than applying both public holiday and overtime penalties.

Allowances compensate for hardship, expenses or particular skills (for example, first-aid). The award sets allowances and updates them each 1 July — current amounts are in the Pay Calculator and pay guide.

Award rates are the legal minimum. The actual rate usually needs to match the market, which is often higher. Market rate depends on the responsibilities in the position description, the employee's skills and experience, and rates paid on other farms and in other industries.

For full-time employees, some employers prefer a flat rate that includes overtime and penalty rates. This varies the award, so it can only be done through an Individual Flexibility Agreement or an enterprise agreement, both of which must pass the Better Off Overall Test.

Since March 2020, the award also allows a written agreement to pay an annualised wage or salary instead of an hourly rate. This suits employers who keep excellent time records. See the Awards section for IFAs and annualised salaries, including the calculators.

Business managers are award free if their duties and responsibilities exceed the FLH8 classification. The National Employment Standards still apply, but award overtime and penalty rates do not. A manager working more than 38 hours a week should refer to the National Employment Standards section.

A trainee works under a training contract registered with the relevant state or territory training authority. The National Training Wage Schedule in Schedule E of the Miscellaneous Award 2020 sets trainee wages. The Fair Work Pay Calculator can work out trainee rates.

Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator (Pay and Conditions Tool), or download the current Pastoral Award pay guide. Both are updated each 1 July after the Annual Wage Review.

By classification under the Pastoral Award 2020, based on skills, experience and the work performed — not by job title. The award sets six dairy classifications: FLH1, FLH2, FLH3, FLH5, FLH7 and FLH8.

Casual employees under the Pastoral Award 2020 are paid the ordinary hourly rate plus a 25% loading, with a minimum of three hours per shift (two hours for full-time secondary students aged 18 or under).

For full-time and casual employees, overtime generally applies once more than 152 hours are worked in a four-week roster cycle. Unlike many awards, there is no automatic weekend penalty simply because work is performed on a Saturday or Sunday. However, hours worked after the 152-hour threshold are paid at the applicable overtime rates.

Part-time employees are treated differently. Overtime generally applies when they work beyond their agreed regular hours or outside the hours specified in their employment agreement, rather than only after reaching 152 hours in a four-week period.

Generally no. Super is paid on ordinary time earnings, and overtime is not included if it can be separately identified from ordinary hours. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2025.