Electrical Power Industry Award: Pay Rates & Key Rules (2026)
The electrical power industry award is the modern award that sets minimum pay and conditions for employees who work in the electrical power industry, such as generating, transmitting and distributing electricity. Modern award minimum rates rose 4.75% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
Coverage depends on the work you do and who employs you, so check it before you apply the award to a role.
How the electrical power industry award works
- The award sets minimum rates for each classification level, based on duties, skills and responsibility, and the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide lists the current dollar figures.
- It adds to the National Employment Standards, which still apply, including 4 weeks of annual leave a year for full-time employees and a 38-hour ordinary week.
- It sets rules for overtime, penalty rates, shift work and allowances, so check these sections rather than assuming the base rate is the full pay.
- An enterprise agreement may apply instead, and many large employers in this industry have one, so check for an agreement first.
- Employers must give payslips within 1 working day of payday and keep time and wage records for 7 years.
- Super is paid on top of wages at 12% of ordinary time earnings for 2026-27, and it must reach the fund within 7 business days of payday.
Examples of the award in practice
- A control room operator at a power station works rotating shifts, and the shift and weekend rules in the award or agreement decide the extra pay.
- A network maintenance employee is called out after hours, and the callout and overtime terms decide what is owed.
- An employer pays last year's rate after 1 July, so staff are underpaid until the new rate is applied and any shortfall is corrected.
- An electrician working for an electrical contractor may be covered by a different award, so the work and the employer both matter.
- A labour hire worker placed at a power site is employed by the provider, which must pay at least the award or agreement that covers them.
Electrical power industry award rules and key numbers
The table lists the figures you can check here. For dollar rates, use the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for the award and the right classification.
| Item | What applies | Where to confirm it |
|---|---|---|
| Award minimum rates | Rose 4.75% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026 | Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide |
| Safety net | National minimum wage of $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026 where no award applies | Fair Work Ombudsman minimum wage page |
| Ordinary hours | Up to 38 per week for a full-time employee, plus reasonable additional hours | National Employment Standards and the award |
| Casual loading | 25% under most awards, so check the award's casual terms | Pay guide, casual section |
| Overtime and penalties | Set by the award or enterprise agreement | Pay guide, penalty rates section |
| Super | 12% of ordinary time earnings for 2026-27 | ATO |
Related terms
- Enterprise agreement: a registered agreement that can replace the award for a particular employer, if employees are better off overall.
- Minimum wage: the lowest hourly rate that applies when no award or agreement sets a higher one.
- Mining award: a separate modern award for another industry, with its own classifications and allowances.
- Pay guide: the Fair Work Ombudsman document that lists current rates, loadings, penalties and allowances for an award.
Electrical power award FAQ
Who is covered by the electrical power industry award?
The award covers employees in the electrical power industry, but coverage depends on the work and the employer. Some workers are covered by an enterprise agreement or a different award instead. NSW state public sector employees are in the state system. Check with the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
Where do I find the pay rates?
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a free pay guide for each award at fairwork.gov.au. Choose the award, then the classification and employment type. The guide lists base rates, casual loading, penalties and allowances, and it updates after each 1 July increase.
Does an enterprise agreement override the award?
If an enterprise agreement applies to you, it replaces the award, but it must leave you better off overall than the award. Many employers in this industry have one. Ask your employer which instrument applies, or check with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Applying the award correctly
This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice, so check the Fair Work Ombudsman, the ATO or an employment lawyer for your situation. For the wider picture, read our guide to modern awards explained.
If you are a host employer who wants staff supplied and paid on the right instrument, visit our host employer labour hire page to talk to us.