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Building and Construction General On-site Award Pay Rates 2026

from $26.67 /hour

Minimum pay rates for the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), effective 1 July 2026. 16 classifications, with penalty, casual and junior rates.

This page sets out the minimum pay rates under the Building and Construction General On-site Award, organised by classification. For each role you will find the base hourly and weekly minimum, the casual rate, and the penalty and overtime rates that apply to site work.

The Building and Construction General On-site Award covers labour performed on building and construction sites, including houses and apartments, commercial buildings, civil works such as roads and bridges, and metal and engineering construction. It applies to on-site tradespeople and workers: carpenters, bricklayers, concreters, steel fixers, plant and crane operators, riggers, scaffolders, labourers, forepersons and site supervisors. The classifications are built around trade qualifications and responsibility, from entry-level construction workers through to leading tradespeople and general forepersons who supervise a crew. Off-site work such as joinery shops and the manufacture of building products is generally covered by other awards.

Pay rates by classification

Full-time minimum rates — Building and Construction General On-site Award, effective 1 July 2026
ClassificationHourlyWeeklyAnnualCasual/hr
Level 9 (ECW 9)$34.46$1,309.50$68,277—
Level 8 (CW/ECW 8)$33.86$1,286.70$67,089—
Supervision of 3 or more tradespersons, excluding leading hands — Foreperson/supervisor$31.63$1,202.00$62,672—
Level 7 (CW/ECW 7)$33.06$1,256.30$65,503—
Level 6 (CW/ECW 6)$32.14$1,221.30$63,679—
Supervision of 3 or more tradespersons, excluding leading hands — General foreperson/supervisor$30.78$1,169.50$60,978—
Level 5 (CW/ECW 5)$31.31$1,189.60$62,026—
Level 4 (CW/ECW 4)$30.38$1,154.40$60,190—
Supervision of other than 3 or more tradespersons, excluding leading hands — Foreperson/supervisor$34.29$1,303.00$67,938—
Level 3 (CW/ECW 3)$29.45$1,119.10$58,350—
Level 2 (CW/ECW 2)$28.62$1,087.50$56,702—
Supervision of other than 3 or more tradespersons, excluding leading hands — General foreperson/supervisor$33.57$1,275.50$66,505—
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1)—CW/ECW 1 (level d)$28.05$1,066.00$55,581—
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1)—CW/ECW 1 (level c)$27.56$1,047.30$54,606—
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1)—CW/ECW 1 (level b)$27.20$1,033.50$53,887—
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1)—CW/ECW1 (level a)$26.67$1,013.50$52,844—

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Building and Construction General On-site Award penalty ratesPenalty rate calculatorNational minimum wageAll awards A–Z

Rates current as of 1 July 2026. Source: Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database. Last checked .

Source: Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database, Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020).

General information only — not legal, industrial or financial advice. These are the published minimum rates for information. Your modern award or enterprise agreement prevails if there is any inconsistency. Check the official source above or the Fair Work Ombudsman for your situation.