Shift Loadings · MA000010

Manufacturing Award Shift Loadings — Afternoon & Night

1 Jul 2026 Updated 1 Jul 2026 By Fitz HR 5 min read Reviewed against FWO Pay Guide MA000010

Shift work is the norm in manufacturing, and the shift loadings under MA000010 are where a lot of pay errors live. This guide sets out the afternoon, night and permanent-night loadings for 2026 and how they combine with other entitlements.

Under MA000010, afternoon and night shifts attract a 15% loading on the ordinary rate, and a permanent (non-rotating) night shift attracts 30%. Shift loadings apply to ordinary hours; on weekends and public holidays the penalty rate applies instead, and shift loadings are not stacked on top of overtime for the same hour.

Rates current as at 2026-07-01 (Annual Wage Review), sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000010. Next review 2027-07-01.

Shift Loadings — Manufacturing

Afternoon shift: +15%
Night shift (rotating): +15%
Permanent night shift: +30%
Applies to ordinary hours — not stacked with weekend penalties or overtime

Afternoon and Night Shifts

An afternoon or (rotating) night shift attracts a 15% loading on the ordinary hourly rate. A C10 tradesperson on $29.45/hr earns roughly $33.87/hr on an afternoon shift. The loading recognises the disruption of non-day work and is not discretionary.

Permanent Night Shift

Where an employee works a permanent (non-rotating) night shift — nights only, not part of a rotating roster — the loading rises to 30%. Misclassifying a permanent night worker as rotating (and paying 15% instead of 30%) is a systematic underpayment.

How Loadings Interact with Penalties & Overtime

Shift loadings apply to ordinary hours. On a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the weekend/public-holiday penalty applies instead — you do not pay the shift loading and the weekend penalty on the same hour. When hours become overtime, the overtime rate applies; the higher single entitlement is paid, not both.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits

✗
Paying 15% for a permanent night shift. Permanent (non-rotating) night shift is 30%, not 15%.
✗
Stacking the shift loading on weekend penalties. On weekends the penalty rate applies instead of the shift loading.
✗
Forgetting the loading on ordinary afternoon hours. Every ordinary afternoon/night hour attracts the loading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the afternoon shift loading under MA000010?
15% on the ordinary hourly rate. A C10 tradesperson on $29.45/hr earns about $33.87/hr on afternoon shift.
What is the permanent night shift rate in manufacturing?
30% — double the rotating night loading. It applies where an employee works nights permanently rather than as part of a rotating roster.
Do shift loadings apply on weekends?
No — the weekend or public holiday penalty applies instead. You never pay a shift loading and a weekend penalty on the same hour.
Are shift loadings paid on top of overtime?
No. Shift loadings apply to ordinary hours; once hours become overtime, the overtime rate applies and the higher single entitlement is paid.

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Manufacturing Award Shift Loadings — Afternoon & Night — FAQ

What is the afternoon shift loading under MA000010? 15% on the ordinary hourly rate. A C10 tradesperson on $29.45/hr earns about $33.87/hr on afternoon shift.

What is the permanent night shift rate in manufacturing? 30% — double the rotating night loading. It applies where an employee works nights permanently rather than as part of a rotating roster.

Do shift loadings apply on weekends? No — the weekend or public holiday penalty applies instead. You never pay a shift loading and a weekend penalty on the same hour.

Are shift loadings paid on top of overtime? No. Shift loadings apply to ordinary hours; once hours become overtime, the overtime rate applies and the higher single entitlement is paid.