Every adult classification under the Manufacturing Award (MA000010) with current full-time and casual rates — and how to tell which level a role belongs at. Rates current as at 2026-07-01, sourced from the FWO Pay Guide.
The Manufacturing Award (MA000010) classifies adult employees across the levels below, with 2026 full-time rates from $25.22 to $39.83 per hour; casual rates include the 25% loading. A role's level is set by its actual duties as defined in the award — not its job title. The step from C14 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level I to C13 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level II is $0.70/hour full-time. Full tables below, or ask Fitz to classify a specific role.
| Classification | Full-time /hr | Casual /hr* |
|---|---|---|
| C14 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level I | $25.74 | $32.18 |
| C13 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level II | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| C12 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level III | $27.08 | $33.85 |
| C11 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level IV | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| C11 - Laboratory tester | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| C10 - Engineering/manufacturing tradesperson - level I | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| C10 - Engineering/manufacturing systems employee - level V | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| C9 - Engineering/manufacturing tradesperson - level II | $30.38 | $37.98 |
| C9 - Engineering/laboratory technician - level I | $30.38 | $37.98 |
| C8 - Engineering/manufacturing tradesperson - special class level I | $31.30 | $39.13 |
| C8 - Engineering/laboratory technician - level II | $31.30 | $39.13 |
| C7 - Engineering/manufacturing tradesperson - special class level II | $32.13 | $40.16 |
| C7 - Engineering/laboratory technician - level III | $32.13 | $40.16 |
| C6 - Engineering/laboratory technician - level IV | $33.77 | $42.21 |
| C6 - Advanced engineering tradesperson - level I | $33.77 | $42.21 |
| C5 - Engineering/laboratory technician - level V | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| C5 - Advanced engineering tradesperson - level II | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| C4 - Engineering associate/laboratory technical officer - level I | $35.38 | $44.23 |
| C3 - Engineering associate/laboratory technical officer - level II | $37.24 | $46.55 |
| C2(a) - Principal engineering supervisor/trainer/coordinator | $38.16 | $47.70 |
| C2(a) - Leading technical officer | $38.16 | $47.70 |
| C2(b) - Principal technical officer | $39.83 | $49.79 |
| Advanced Certificate or National Diploma - 0 years of relevant work experience | $26.53 | $33.16 |
| Advanced Certificate or National Diploma - 1 year of relevant work experience | $29.29 | $36.61 |
| Advanced Certificate or National Diploma - 2 years of relevant work experience | $33.08 | $41.35 |
| Advanced Certificate or National Diploma - 3 years of relevant work experience | $34.46 | $43.08 |
| Associate Diploma or National Advanced Diploma - 0 years of relevant work experience | $26.81 | $33.51 |
| Associate Diploma or National Advanced Diploma - 1 year of relevant work experience | $29.42 | $36.78 |
| Associate Diploma or National Advanced Diploma - 2 years of relevant work experience | $33.14 | $41.43 |
| Associate Diploma or National Advanced Diploma - 3 years of relevant work experience | $34.63 | $43.29 |
| Associate Diploma or National Advanced Diploma - 4 years of relevant work experience | $37.24 | $46.55 |
| Technical field - No qualification - 0 years of relevant work experience | $25.22 | $31.53 |
| Technical field - No qualification - 1 year of relevant work experience | $26.73 | $33.41 |
| Technical field - No qualification - 2 years of relevant work experience | $28.86 | $36.08 |
| Technical field - No qualification - 3 years of relevant work experience | $30.38 | $37.98 |
| Completed Diploma of Engineering - 1st year after completion of | $32.74 | $40.93 |
*Casual rates include the 25% casual loading, as published in the FWO Pay Guide MA000010. Junior, apprentice and trainee rates differ — ask Fitz for those.
The award classifies the work, not the title. Whether a process worker, tradesperson or leading hand sits at one level or the next depends on the duties actually performed, the skills and qualifications the role requires, and the responsibility it carries — each defined in the award's classification schedule. Misclassifying downward creates an underpayment that compounds every pay run; misclassifying upward is money you didn't need to spend.
If you're unsure, describe the role to Fitz — the classification wizard walks the Manufacturing Award structure with you and returns the level and current rate. Or start from the full pay-rates tables and the complete award guide.
Describe the job — Fitz maps it to the right Manufacturing Award level with the current rate. Free to start, no card required.
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