MA000010 · Award Guide

Manufacturing Award Guide

The complete reference to the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award MA000010 for Australian manufacturers, workshops and production facilities — coverage, classifications, penalty rates, allowances, minimum engagement and Fair Work compliance.

What the Manufacturing Award Covers

The Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award MA000010 covers general manufacturing, engineering, food and beverage processing, and associated production and maintenance work. It does not cover vehicle manufacturing (a separate award). Getting coverage right matters — it drives the classification structure, penalty rates, and allowances that apply to every shift. Applying the wrong award creates systematic underpayment exposure.

Overview

Manufacturing Award for your business

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Pay Rates

Manufacturing Award Pay Rates 2026

Current classification rates, penalties and allowances from the FWO Pay Guide.

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Fitz HR vs Employment Hero

How Fitz compares for manufacturing businesss on the Manufacturing Award.

Penalty Rates

Penalty rates under MA000010 for weekend and public holiday work, as a percentage of the ordinary hourly rate:

When worked% of ordinary rate
Saturday (FT/PT)150%
Sunday (FT/PT)200%
Public holiday (FT/PT)250%

Casual employees receive a 25% loading in addition to the ordinary rate. Ask Fitz for the exact casual and overtime rates under MA000010.

Classification Rates

A sample of the full-time minimum rates. See the Manufacturing Award pay rates page for the full table, streams and casual rates.

Classification (full-time)HourlyWeekly
C14 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level I$25.74$978.10
C13 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level II$26.44$1004.90
C12 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level III$27.08$1029.10
C11 - Engineering/manufacturing employee - level IV$27.97$1062.90
C11 - Laboratory tester$27.97$1062.90
C10 - Engineering/manufacturing tradesperson - level I$29.45$1119.10
C10 - Engineering/manufacturing systems employee - level V$29.45$1119.10
C9 - Engineering/manufacturing tradesperson - level II$30.38$1154.30
C9 - Engineering/laboratory technician - level I$30.38$1154.30
C8 - Engineering/manufacturing tradesperson - special class level I$31.30$1189.40
C8 - Engineering/laboratory technician - level II$31.30$1189.40
C7 - Engineering/manufacturing tradesperson - special class level II$32.13$1221.10

Showing 12 of 98 full-time classifications. Ask Fitz for any classification, employment type or stream.

Minimum Engagement

The Manufacturing Award sets a minimum period an employee must be paid for each time they are engaged:

Common Allowances

AllowanceAmountUnit
First aid allowance$22.26per week
Meal allowance$19.14per meal
Leading hand allowance (in charge of 3-10 employees, all-purpose)$1.29per hour
Leading hand allowance (in charge of 11-20 employees, all-purpose)$1.93per hour
Leading hand allowance (in charge of more than 20 employees, all-purpose)$2.45per hour
Tool allowance (tradespersons other than carpenter/joiner/shipwright, not vehicle manufacturing, all-purpose)$0.47per hour
Tool allowance (carpenter, joiner and shipwright/boatbuilder, not vehicle manufacturing, all-purpose)$0.89per hour
Cold places allowance$0.82per hour

Fair Work Compliance

Operating under MA000010 creates obligations beyond paying the correct rate:

See the Fair Work compliance pillar guide and how Fitz HR compares for manufacturing businesss.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award MA000010?
It is a modern award under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) that sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances and conditions. It covers general manufacturing, engineering, food and beverage processing, and associated production and maintenance work. It does not cover vehicle manufacturing (a separate award).
What are the penalty rates under MA000010 in 2026?
Saturday 150% and Sunday 200% for full-time and part-time employees, with a public holiday rate of 250%. Casual rates are all-inclusive of the 25% loading. See the full pay rates page.
Which award covers a general manufacturing business?
Most general manufacturing, engineering and production work is covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award MA000010. Vehicle manufacturing and a handful of specialised sectors sit under separate awards — Fitz confirms coverage before answering.
How current are these Manufacturing Award figures?
They are extracted from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000010, current as at 2026-07-01, with the next review due 2027-07-01.

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