Pay Rates
Find the current minimum rate
Minimum rates change on 1 July each year, following the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. Rather than reproduce a table that dates quickly, use the source that is always current.
- Pay Calculator: the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool calculates base rates, allowances, penalties and overtime for the Pastoral Award.
- Pay guide: download the current Pastoral Award pay guide for a single-page summary of rates.
The Pastoral Award 2020 applies to national system employers across Australia. In Western Australia, rates depend on how the business is run — see the Awards section.
The following table has the pay rates which apply from 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027.
| Pastoral Award Classes | Weekly | Hourly Part-time or Full-time | Hourly Casual | |
| FLH 1 | Dairy Operator less than six months' experience | $978.10 | $25.74 | $32.18 |
| FLH 2 | Dairy Operator six to 12 months' experience | $1,004.90 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| FLH 3 | Dairy Operator more than 12 months' experience | $1,006.80 | $26.49 | $33.11 |
| FLH 5 | Dairy Operator more than 2 years' experience | $1,046.90 | $27.55 | $34.44 |
| FLH 7 | Senior Dairy Operator 1 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| FLH 8 | Senior Dairy Operator 2 | $1,202.50 | $31.64 | $39.55 |
Pastoral award classifications
| Pastoral Award 2020 Classification | Typical Role | Job Category | Indicative Training Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLH1 Farm and Livestock Hand Level 1 |
Assistant Farm Hand | Dairy operator grade 1A. Works under supervision. Suitable for new entrants to the dairy industry with less than 6 months' experience. Performs routine farming tasks such as milking, livestock handling, haymaking and fencing under supervision. Progress to FLH2 after 6 months' industry experience. | Certificate II |
| FLH2 Farm and Livestock Hand Level 2 |
Assistant Farm Hand | Dairy operator grade 1B. Works under supervision. Suitable for dairy operators with 6–12 months' industry experience. Performs a broad range of farming tasks under supervision. Progress to FLH3 after 12 months' industry experience. | Certificate II |
| FLH3 Farm and Livestock Hand Level 3 |
Farm Hand | Dairy operator grade 1B. Works under limited supervision. Suitable for dairy operators with more than 12 months' experience. Performs skilled farming operations independently or as part of a team. Progress to higher levels based on competency and role. | Certificate III |
| FLH5 Farm and Livestock Hand Level 5 |
Senior Farm Hand | Dairy operator grade 2. Skilled employee who works independently or as part of a team. Uses technical knowledge and problem-solving skills across dairy operations. | Certificate IV |
| FLH7 Farm and Livestock Hand Level 7 |
Production Manager | Senior dairy operator grade 1. Implements farm policy and sets tactics. Manages production activities on the farm and demonstrates advanced technical and industry knowledge. | Diploma |
| FLH8 Farm and Livestock Hand Level 8 |
Senior Production Manager | Senior dairy operator grade 2. Supervises staff and reports to management. Responsible for production activities, business management tasks, WHS, budgeting and staff supervision. Uses extensive technical knowledge and solves complex problems. | Diploma |
| Award-Free Business Manager | Business Manager | Sets business policy and has significant responsibility for ensuring the dairy enterprise operates successfully. Demonstrates extensive industry knowledge, technical expertise and business management capability. | Advanced Diploma |
Determine the classification
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.
Junior wages
Juniors are paid a percentage of the relevant adult rate:
- under 16: 50%
- 16: 60%
- 17: 70%
- 18: 80%
- 19: 90%
- 20: 100%
Hours, minimum shifts and casual loading
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.
Types of pay
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.
Market rates and award rates
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.
Flat rates and annualised salaries
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 Flat Rates and Annualised Salaries section for IFAs and annualised salaries, including the calculators.
Rates for managers
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.
Rates for trainees
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.
Superannuation
Employers must pay superannuation for all employees, except employees under 18 who work fewer than 30 hours a week, or people doing private or domestic work for fewer than 30 hours a week. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2025.
Super is paid on 'ordinary time earnings', which are defined in the superannuation guarantee law. Overtime is generally not included if it can be separately identified from ordinary hours. See the ATO's list of ordinary time earnings.
Employers must:
- pay contributions to the employee's nominated fund at least quarterly,
- keep accurate records of contributions, and
- pay into a complying fund or retirement savings account.
Employees can choose their fund, and employers should nominate a complying default fund for those who do not. Since 1 November 2021, stapling rules may require paying into an employee's existing 'stapled' fund — see Super for employers (ATO). The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House can help make payments.
Common questions
Where do I find current dairy pay 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.
How are dairy employees classified for pay?
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.
What is the casual loading for dairy employees?
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).
When does overtime apply under the Pastoral Award 2020?
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.
Do employers pay super on overtime?
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.