What is the minimum wage for a civil construction worker in Australia?

The minimum wage depends on the classification level under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. For the lowest level (CW/ECW 1 level a), the minimum hourly rate is $26.67, plus an industry allowance of $67.15 per week. This applies to full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate (including the industry allowance).

Are civil construction workers covered by the national minimum wage?

Most civil construction employees are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award, which sets higher minimum rates than the national minimum wage. The award applies to on-site building, engineering and civil construction work. If an employee is award-free (rare in this industry), the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. Always check the award or an enterprise agreement first.

How is the civil construction salary calculated for casual workers?

Casual civil construction workers receive a 25% casual loading on the ordinary hourly rate. The ordinary hourly rate includes the classification rate from the award plus the industry allowance. For example, a Level 1 casual worker would receive approximately $26.67 + ($67.15 / 38) = $28.44 per hour, then plus 25% loading = $35.55 per hour. The exact figure depends on the classification level.

Civil construction salary: award rates and minimum pay in Australia

The minimum hourly rate for a Level 1 civil construction worker under the award is $26.67, plus an industry allowance of $67.15 per week, making the effective ordinary rate higher than the national minimum.

Understanding the civil construction salary

When researching a civil construction salary in Australia, it is essential to distinguish between the legal minimum set by the award, the average earnings reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and any negotiated rate under an enterprise agreement. This guide focuses on the minimum pay floor for employees in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry.

The award that covers civil construction

The Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020) covers employers and employees in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry. This includes general building and construction, civil construction, and metal and engineering construction undertaken on-site. The award is a modern award made by the Fair Work Commission and is enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. It sets minimum wages, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.

Minimum rates under the award

The award contains classification levels from CW/ECW 1 to CW/ECW 9 (and ECW 9 for engineering construction). The minimum weekly and hourly rates for each level are published in clause 19.1(a). For the lowest classification, CW/ECW 1 level a, the minimum weekly rate is $1,013.50 and the minimum hourly rate is $26.67 (as at 1 July 2026). These rates are the classification rates only. In addition, an industry allowance of $67.15 per week must be paid to all employees in the general building and construction, civil construction, and metal and engineering construction sectors (clause 22.1). Therefore, the ordinary hourly rate for a Level 1 employee is $26.67 plus the hourly equivalent of the industry allowance ($67.15 / 38 = $1.77), giving an effective minimum of about $28.44 per hour. This is above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Higher classifications attract higher rates. For example, a CW/ECW 5 (tradesperson level) has a minimum hourly rate of $31.31 plus the industry allowance. The full rate table is available from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide or the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database .

Casual loading and junior rates

Casual employees under the award are entitled to a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate (including the industry allowance). This loading is in lieu of paid leave entitlements such as annual leave and personal leave. For a Level 1 casual, the minimum casual hourly rate would be approximately $28.44 × 1.25 = $35.55.

Junior employees (under 21) who are not apprentices may be paid a percentage of the adult rate based on their age, as set out in the award. However, many civil construction workers are apprentices, who have their own wage progression based on stage of training (see clause 19.7). Apprentice rates are a percentage of the standard rate (currently $1,013.50 per week) and vary by stage and whether the apprentice completed year 12.

How the civil construction salary compares to averages

The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, and all employees average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week. These averages include all industries and are higher than award minimums because they reflect market rates, overtime, and seniority. A civil construction salary can be significantly above the award minimum if an enterprise agreement or individual contract provides higher pay. The award is a floor, not a ceiling.

Superannuation is on top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is an additional cost for the employer and is not included in the hourly or weekly rates quoted above. For example, on a $28.44 per hour ordinary rate, the super contribution is an extra $3.41 per hour.

When the national minimum wage applies

If a civil construction worker is not covered by the award (for example, if they work in a role that falls outside the award's scope, or if the employer is not in the national system), the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week) applies. However, most civil construction employees are award-covered. Always check the award coverage clauses (clause 4 of the award) to confirm.

Enterprise agreements can set higher rates

Many civil construction sites operate under enterprise agreements that provide pay rates above the award. These agreements are negotiated between employers and employees (or their unions) and must pass the better off overall test. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, the agreement rate is your minimum.

Where to get more information

For the exact rates for your classification, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or refer to the award itself. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database provides downloadable spreadsheets of all rates. For general guidance on which minimum wage applies, see Which minimum wage applies. For detailed rate tables, see Rate tables.

Summary

The civil construction salary minimum is set by the Building and Construction General On-site Award. The lowest classification rate is $26.67 per hour, but with the industry allowance the effective minimum is around $28.44 per hour. Casual workers get a 25% loading. Apprentices and juniors have different rates. Superannuation is paid on top. The award minimum is a legal floor; actual salaries may be higher due to enterprise agreements or market conditions.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.