Mining Award: Pay Rates & Key Rules (2026)
The mining award sets minimum pay and conditions for covered mining employees, and modern award minimum rates rose 4.75% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Your rate depends on your classification level, your employment type, your roster and whether an enterprise agreement or a different award covers your site.
Use the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for the current dollar rate. This guide is part of our modern awards explained series.
Mining award: rates and rules
This table shows how the pay structure fits together. Take dollar rates from the pay guide for your classification.
| Item | What the rule is | 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 for this award |
| Classification levels | Each level reflects duties, skills and responsibility, with its own base hourly rate | Pay guide, classification section |
| Casual loading | 25% on top of the base rate under most awards, paid in place of paid leave | Pay guide, casual section |
| Shift and weekend loadings | Extra pay for afternoon, night and weekend shifts as the award sets out | Pay guide, shift and penalty sections |
| Overtime | Paid above ordinary hours, at rates and thresholds set by the award or agreement | Pay guide, overtime section |
| Allowances | Site, tool, travel and similar allowances may apply for particular work | Pay guide, allowances section |
| Safety net for award-free casuals | At least $33.05 per hour from 1 July 2026, including the 25% loading | Fair Work Ombudsman minimum wage page |
Who the mining award applies to
Coverage depends on the work you do and your employer's industry.
| Employment type | How mining award pay works | Key check |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Base rate for the classification, with 38 ordinary hours per week on average plus reasonable additional hours | Roster pattern and overtime rules |
| Part-time | Same base rate for agreed regular hours, with leave pro rata | Agreed hours in writing |
| Casual | Base rate plus the 25% casual loading, with no paid annual or personal leave | Loading shown separately on the payslip |
| Junior | A percentage of the adult rate, where the award provides for it | Age bracket in the pay guide |
| Apprentice or trainee | Paid under the apprentice or trainee provisions, if they apply to the role | Pay guide or Fair Work Infoline |
| Labour hire worker | Employed by the provider, paid under the award or agreement that covers the work | Provider and host agree the classification |
| Enterprise agreement site | The agreement can replace the award but must leave employees better off overall | Check which instrument covers the site and role |
| NSW state public sector | Covered by the NSW state system, not the national award | Check which system covers your employer |
How to calculate mining award pay
Work from the pay guide, not from an advertised rate, and add each loading in the order the award sets out.
- Identify the classification level that matches your actual duties, such as a general mine worker or a plant operator.
- Take the base hourly rate in the pay guide from the latest 1 July increase.
- For a casual, add the 25% loading to the base rate.
- Apply any shift, weekend or public holiday rate that covers the hours you worked.
- Multiply by paid hours, then add allowances the award lists for your site and task.
- Check the total is not below the minimum wage safety net, then compare it with your payslip.
Worked example of the loading: the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, and adding 25% gives $33.05 per hour. Award rates are different, so use your own pay guide figure at step two.
Employer obligations under the mining award
- Pay at least the pay guide rate for each employee's classification and update rates after every 1 July increase.
- Give each employee a payslip within 1 working day of payday that shows loadings, shift rates and allowances separately.
- Keep time and wage records for 7 years, including roster changes and approved overtime.
- Report payroll information to the ATO through Single Touch Payroll on or before each payday.
- Pay super at 12% of ordinary time earnings for 2026-27, so it reaches the fund within 7 business days of payday.
- Give notice of roster changes in the way the award or agreement requires, and keep a copy.
Mining award worker rights and what to do if you are underpaid
Check your payslip after any roster or classification change.
- Compare your payslip with the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for your classification and employment type.
- Write down the dates, shifts and amounts that look wrong, using your roster or messages as evidence.
- Raise the issue with your employer in writing and ask for a reply by a set date.
- If it is not fixed, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free help.
- Keep copies of payslips and rosters, because employers must hold records for 7 years.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a pre-July rate after the 4.75% increase, which leaves staff underpaid until the next pay run is corrected.
- Assuming the mining award applies when an enterprise agreement or the coal mining award covers the site.
- Rolling shift loadings and allowances into one flat rate that cannot be checked against the pay guide.
- Classifying a worker at a lower level than their actual duties, especially after they take on plant or supervisory tasks.
- Paying super late or in a lump outside the 7 business day payday super window.
- Treating an ongoing worker as a contractor to avoid award costs, which can be illegal sham contracting.
Mining award FAQ
Where do I find the mining award pay guide?
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a free pay guide for each award at fairwork.gov.au. Choose the award, then your classification and employment type. The guide lists base rates, loadings, penalties and allowances, and the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 can help if it is unclear.
Do casuals get a loading under the mining award?
Casuals receive the base rate for their classification plus a 25% loading under most awards, then any shift or weekend rates that apply. Award-free casuals on the national minimum wage get at least $33.05 per hour from 1 July 2026. Check the pay guide for the exact figure.
When did the latest mining award pay rise start?
Modern award minimum rates rose 4.75% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. That means the date your pay period begins matters. If your pay period started before 1 July, the increase applies from the next one.
Does the mining award include super?
Super is paid on top of award wages at 12% of ordinary time earnings for 2026-27. Under payday super it must be paid at the same time as wages and reach your fund within 7 business days of payday. Check your payslip and fund statement to confirm.
Getting mining award pay right
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 bigger picture, read our guide to modern awards explained.