51. Minimum rates

[Varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316]

[51.1 varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

51.1 The minimum rates for Shearers will be:

Minimum rates for shearing (by machine) | If not found employee1 | If found employee1

| $ | $

Flock sheep—wethers, ewes and lambs—rate per 100 | 409.96 | 367.91

Flock sheep—wethers, ewes and lambs—rate per day | 306.28 | 264.23

1 These rates are calculated in accordance with clause A.1.

51.2 Other shearing rates

Description | % of applicable rate

Rams (other than special stud rams) and ram stags | 200% of flock sheep rate

Stud ewes and their lambs | 125% of flock sheep rate

Double-fleeced sheep | 133.33% of the rate prescribed appropriate to the class of sheep

Hand shearing | 7.5% added to the rate for each class of sheep

Shearers required to provide their own stud combs | 25% added to the rate for each class of sheep

Special studs | As agreed

51.3 Rates for crutching

The following rates are arrived at by the formula in clause A.2.

(a) Piecework rates—if not found employee:

[51.3(a) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

| Per 100 At sheds | Per 100 Other than at sheds

| $ | $

Full crutching: shearing the inside parts of the legs, between the legs, and around and above the tail. In addition when required: removing wool that has been struck by blowfly; lifting the bottom leg and shearing that leg prior to turning the sheep around and above the tail; and/or giving up to 2 blows above the tail | 118.89 | 102.49

All other crutching | 94.29 | 81.99

For wigging or ringing | 45.10 | 45.10

For either wigging or ringing in addition to crutching | 12.30 | 12.30

For wigging and ringing | 73.79 | 73.79

For wigging and ringing in addition to crutching—crutching rate plus | 20.50 | 20.50

For cleaning the belly of any ewe above the teats (no more than 2 blows of the machine or shears)—crutching rates plus | 10.25 | 10.25

(b) Lack of amenities allowance

[51.3(b) varied by PR729290, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

An allowance of $13.62 per person per day will be paid for the lack of amenities when crutching is performed other than at sheds in addition to the piecework rates in clause 51.3(a).

(c) Special crutching rates

(i) For crutching stud ewes and their lambs—one and a quarter of the rates prescribed in clause 51.3(a).

(ii) For crutching rams and ram stags—double the rates prescribed in clause 51.3(a).

[51.3(d) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(d) If found employee—the rates prescribed above less the amount of $42.05, which is arrived at by adding the Shearing cook’s daily rate to one fifth of the Shearers’ ration component.

51.4 Rates for shed hands

[51.4(a) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(a) If not found employee:

Adults | Weekly rate (full-time employee) | Per run rate

| $ | $

For adults with less than 65 work days' experience as a shed hand | 1485.04 | 74.25

For adults with 65 or more work days' experience as a shed hand | 1562.75 | 78.14

(b) These amounts are arrived at by using the formula in clause A.3.1.

(c) The rates for junior shed hands are arrived at using the formula in clause A.3.2.

[51.4(d) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(d) If found employee—the rates prescribed above less the amount of $42.05, which is arrived at by adding the Shearing cook’s daily rate to one fifth of the Shearers’ ration component.

51.5 Rates for Woolpressers—if not found employee:

(a) Piecework

[51.5(a) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

| $

By hand—per bale | 25.03

By hand—per kilo | 0.1642

By power—per bale | 16.69

By power—per kilo | 0.1095

These rates are arrived at by using the formula in clause A.4.

[51.5(b) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(b) For weighing and branding bales—$0.56 per bale extra.

[51.5(c) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(c) If the total sum which the Woolpresser would receive under the rates in clause 51.5(a) amounts to less than $82.77 per run multiplied by the number of runs that a time work employee would have been paid for, the employer will pay the deficiency to the employee.

[51.5(d) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(d) If found employee—the rates prescribed above less the amount of $42.05, which is arrived at by adding the Shearing cook’s daily rate to one fifth of the Shearers’ ration component.

(e) Woolpressers engaged at piecework rates will, for all wool pressed by them, be paid wholly per bale or wholly per kilogram and will for greasy wool per kilogram be paid for an average of 140 kg per bale if the bales pressed average less than that weight.

[51.5(f) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(f) The minimum rate to be paid for woolpressing for employees engaged at time work rates will be $82.77 per run if not found employee. If found employee, rates will be the rate prescribed less $42.05 per day, which is arrived at by adding the Shearing cook’s daily rate to one fifth of the Shearers’ ration component.

(g) Provided that where a Woolpresser engaged at time work would have earned more at a particular shearing than the minimum calculation (by multiplying the per run rate by the number of runs the Woolpresser would have been paid for) if the Woolpresser had been engaged at piecework rates, then the Woolpresser will be paid at the piecework rate pursuant to clause 51.5(a).

51.6 Rates for Shearing cooks

[51.6(a) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(a) The minimum rates to be paid to employees for acting as Shearing cook in connection with shearing or crutching operations will be $26.09 per day per found employee for every person excepting themselves for whom the employee cooks.

[51.6(b) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(b) If the total amount which the Shearing cook would receive under clause 51.6 for the term of the employment amounts to less than $339.22 per day per found employee for the work, after paying the necessary offsiders, the employer will pay the deficiency to the employee.

(c) A Shearing cook engaged for a half day will be paid 50% of the rate per day per found employee for every person for whom the employee cooks.

(d) The minimum rates for Shearing cooks are arrived at by the formula provided in clause A.5.

51.7 Woolclassers piecework rates

[51.7(a) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(a) For carrying out the duties described in clause 50.7 of this award, a Woolclasser will be paid at the rate of $477.03 per 1,000 sheep and/or lambs.

(b) All rams and/or ram stags’ wool classed will be paid for at double the rate in clause 51.7(a).

51.8 Woolclassers guaranteed weekly minimum rates

If the piecework earnings from woolclassing over the whole of the employment are less than the relevant weekly amount for the same period, the employer will pay the Woolclasser not less than the minimum weekly rate set out below.

51.9 Woolclassers and Shearing shed experts

[51.9(a) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(a) The following minimum weekly rates will apply to Woolclassers and Shearing shed experts classified under clause 50—Classifications:

Classification | Minimum weekly rate (full-time employee)

| $

Shearing shed expert level 1 | 1590.35

Shearing shed expert level 2 | 1767.05

Woolclasser level 11 | 1767.05

Woolclasser level 21 | 1908.10

Woolclasser level 31 | 1999.80

1 Woolclasser minimum weekly rates are arrived at according to the formulae provided in clause A.6.

(b) Piecework rate

[51.9(b) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

The piecework rate formula is: $1908.10 (Woolclasser level 2)  4 = $477.03.

(c) Shearing shed experts

[51.9(c)(i) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(i) E1—Expert level 1 (experting only) will be paid at 90% of the Woolclasser level 1 rate. The E1 rate is $1590.35 per week.

[51.9(c)(ii) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

(ii) E2—Expert level 2 (experting plus any additional duties except woolclassing) will be paid at Woolclasser level 1 rate. The E2 rate is $1767.05 per week.

(d) For the purpose of clause 51.9:

(i) employment will be deemed to begin at the time at which the employee is instructed to arrive at the station, but if the employee does not arrive until later, then at the time of arrival;

(ii) the number of stands to be taken is the maximum number of stands actually occupied by Shearers during the shearing;

(iii) in calculating the guaranteed amount in respect of employment for part of a week, the employee will be entitled to 20% of the prescribed weekly rate for each day or part of a day;

(iv) employment of experts and Woolclassers will be by the day unless a longer period of engagement is agreed. Unless the Woolclasser or expert has been notified the previous day that their attendance is not required for that day, then providing they present themselves as ready, able and willing to work prior to commencement of work then they will be paid for that day at 20% of the appropriate minimum weekly rate specified in clause 51.9; and

(v) all employees are entitled to work as expeditionary employees.

(e) At the commencement of shearing the employer or a representative will appoint a certain day upon which the employer will, in each and every week, if so required, pay to the employee any sum not exceeding 75% of the amount due over and above one week’s earnings.

(f) Woolclassers allowances

[51.9(f) varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

Allowances included in the Woolclassers’ weekly rate are as follows:

Allowance | $ per week

Conditions | 159.25

Enterprise flexibility | 225.74

Woolrolling | 112.85

Bookkeeping | 73.37

2. Definitions

[Varied by PR734194, PR774744, PR777262, PR795663]

In this award, unless the contrary intention appears:

Act means the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

all purposes means the payment will be included in the rate of pay of an employee who is entitled to the allowance, when calculating any penalties or loadings or payment while they are on annual leave (see clause 18.2(a)).

broadacre field crops means grains, seeds, grasses, silage, legumes, fibre, flowers, and other crops grown as part of a broadacre mixed farming enterprise.

broadacre mixed farming enterprise:

 means a farming enterprise consisting of the growing of broadacre field crops as defined;

 includes the rearing, management, and grazing of livestock;

 means a farming enterprise which combines both; or

 means a farming enterprise which in addition to any of the above grows other crops, for the purposes of crop rotation or the rearing, management, and grazing of livestock as part of a mixed farming enterprise.

[Definition of casual employee inserted by PR734194 from 27Sep21; varied by PR777262 from 27Aug24]

casual employee has the meaning given by section 15A of the Act.

NOTE: Section 15A of the Act was amended with effect from 26 August 2024. Under clause 102(3) of Schedule 1 to the Act, an existing employee who was a casual employee of an employer under section 15A as it was immediately before that date is taken to be a casual employee of the employer for the purposes of section 15A after that date.

casual pieceworker means a Shearer, Crutcher or Woolpresser engaged as a casual employee and paid the piecework rates in accordance with Part 9—Shearing Operations.

crutching includes all the operations for which rates are prescribed in this award. The meanings of the words crutch, Crutcher and crutched are similarly extended.

cut out means the completion of the shearing or crutching of the last sheep shorn or crutched at the termination of the shed.

defined benefit member has the meaning given by the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).

double-fleeced means a sheep carrying 2 years’ fleece.

employee means national system employee within the meaning of the Act.

[Definition of employee organisation inserted by PR774744; substituted retrospectively by PR795663 ppc 01Jul24]

employee organisation has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.

employer means national system employer within the meaning of the Act.

[Definition of enterprise inserted by PR774744 from 01Jul24]

enterprise has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.

exempt public sector superannuation scheme has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).

expeditionary employee means a woolclasser or Shearing shed expert who commences on the day as agreed for commencing shearing and resides on the property for the duration of the shearing. Expeditionary employees are entitled to free board and lodging.

experience in the industry means all and any experience in the industry as described in clause 4.2 of this award.

farm and livestock hand means an employee performing the work described in the classifications which apply to such work in Part 6—Broadacre Farming and Livestock Operations of this award and who is not a piggery attendant, poultry worker or any employee classified under Part 9—Shearing Operations.

found employees are employees who are supplied with up to 5 meals per day during the course of shearing or crutching; such meals are to be provided by the employer together with suitable accommodation.

keep is where a farm and livestock hand is employed on the ‘with keep’ rate as prescribed in this award, ‘keep’ will mean good and sufficient living accommodation and good and sufficient rations of sufficient quantity; sound, well-cooked and properly served by the cook or the cook’s offsider; but it will not include accommodation under a roof or cooking when circumstances render such accommodation or cooking impracticable.

livestock means all animals used in primary production including insects.

MySuper product has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).

NES means the National Employment Standards as contained in sections 59 to 131 of the Act.

on-hire means the on-hire of an employee by their employer to a client, where such employee works under the general guidance and instruction of the client or a representative of the client.

ordinary hourly rate means the minimum hourly rate for an employee’s classification specified in clauses 32, 37, 47 and 51—Minimum rates plus any allowances specified as being included in the employee’s ordinary hourly rate or payable for all purposes.

pastoral industry has the meaning given in clause 4.2.

piggery attendant means an employee who is employed by an employer who is exclusively, wholly or substantially engaged in the raising and breeding of pigs, and who performs duties described in the classifications in Part 7—Pig Breeding and Raising of this award.

poultry worker means an employee who is employed by an employer who is exclusively, wholly or substantially engaged in the raising and breeding of poultry, and who performs duties described in the classifications in Part 8—Poultry Farming of this award.

ram stags are rams that have been castrated when they are 18 months or older.

rams are male sheep that are more than 6 months old.

shearing is where:

 the employee takes off the belly wool first and lays it aside, and, when required by the employer, the employee shears over the tail when shearing the first side; and

 in opening the fleece at the neck and belly, the machine or both blades of the shears will be kept under the wool and close to the skin, so as to avoid twice cutting and where the employee does not run the machine or shears through the fleece so as to break it down the centre or the back.

shearing cook means an employee who cooks for 6 or more employees who are engaged for shearing or crutching operations.

shearing shed expert or expert means an employee who is competent to perform experting duties at a shearing shed as described in clause 50.8 in accordance with the requirements of the employer or a representative (such requirements to be specified at the time of engagement).

shed means shearing shed or, in relation to crutching work performed other than at a shed, the property, station or location where crutching work is or will be undertaken.

silviculture and afforestation means planting, pruning, fertilising and any other activity in or in connection with the establishment or cultivation of trees in forests.

[Definition of small business employer inserted by PR774744 from 01Jul24]

small business employer has the meaning given by section 23 of the Act.

standard rate means the hourly rate payable to a farm and livestock hand level 2 in clause 32.1.

station cook means an employee who cooks for station hands and/or other station personnel.

stud ewes are ewes with tags in their ears from which rams are bred for sale or station use. The term does not include ewes of the flock which have tags in their ears for the purpose of identification other than for stud purposes.

wet place means a place where the clothing of the employee becomes wet or a place where the employee has to stand in water or slush so that the employee’s footwear becomes saturated.

woolclasser means a person who is registered as such and who is employed in or in conjunction with a shearing operation. A woolclasser who performs the additional duty of shearing shed experting at the one shearing will, for the purposes of this award, be deemed to be employed as a woolclasser and not as an expert.

woolpresser means a person who presses wool shorn or crutched; weighs, brands and stores the wool; presses and closes the bales; and performs additional duties as directed.

[Definition of workplace delegate inserted by PR774744 from 01Jul24]

workplace delegate has the meaning given by section 350C(1) of the Act.

Award Code: MA000035 Effective: 01/07/2026 Published: 18/08/2026 1

Pay Guide - Pastoral Award

[MA000035]

Published 18 August 2026

When do the rates in the pay guide apply from? The first full pay period starting on or after 01 July 2026.

What is in this pay guide? It’s a summary of the award rates. Go to the award for information about coverage, classifications, conditions and the

operation of minimum rates, allowances, penalty rates and overtime.

Where can I go for more information? Our Pay and Conditions Tool can help you work out pay rates, leave, notice and redundancy minimum

entitlements based on the information you provide. Our website also provides useful templates, best practice guides, fact sheets and online courses.

Disclaimer

The Fair Work Ombudsman is committed to ensuring that information available through this pay guide including data is accurate and incorporates

changes to minimum rates of pay, allowances and penalty rates in the award as soon as they come into effect.

However, we cannot guarantee or accept any liability for the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of the information available in this pay

guide. This is because, for example, there may be a delay between when a change takes effect, and when the information available in the guide is

updated.

When considering information available in the pay guide about awards you should also have regard to the terms of the relevant award, which can be

found through our Awards page. If our information is inconsistent with the award, then the award applies.

If you need further assistance you can contact us. Alternatively, you may wish to get independent advice from a union, employer association or lawyer

on your particular circumstances.

We encourage you to subscribe to email updates to receive alerts when pay rates and entitlements change in this pay guide.

Award Code: MA000035 Effective: 01/07/2026 Published: 18/08/2026 4

Poultry farm worker - Full-time & part-time

Classification Weekly pay

rate

Hourly pay

rate

Public holiday Overtime -

Monday to

Saturday

Overtime -

Sunday - not

for the

purpose of

feeding and

watering

stock

Overtime -

Sunday - for

the purpose

of feeding

and watering

stock

Delayed meal

break

Poultry farm worker level 1 $978.10 $25.74 $51.48 $38.61 $51.48 $38.61 $51.48

Poultry farm worker level 2 $1,006.80 $26.49 $52.98 $39.74 $52.98 $39.74 $52.98

Poultry farm worker level 3 $1,046.90 $27.55 $55.10 $41.33 $55.10 $41.33 $55.10

Poultry farm worker level 4 $1,119.10 $29.45 $58.90 $44.18 $58.90 $44.18 $58.90

Woolclasser

Classification Weekly pay rate Daily pay rate Per 1000 sheep

and lambs pay

rate

Per 1000 rams

and ram stags

pay rate

Public holiday –

sheep and lambs

Public holiday –

rams and ram

stags

Woolclasser level 1 $1,767.05 $353.41 $477.03 $954.06 $954.06 $1,908.12

Woolclasser level 2 $1,908.10 $381.62 $477.03 $954.06 $954.06 $1,908.12

Woolclasser level 3 $1,999.80 $399.96 $477.03 $954.06 $954.06 $1,908.12

Shearing shed expert

Classification Weekly pay rate Daily pay rate Public holiday - per hour in

addition to weekly or daily

payment

Shearing shed expert level 1 $1,590.35 $318.07 $41.83

Shearing shed expert level 2 $1,767.05 $353.41 $46.47

Woolpresser

For found employees deduct $42.05 per day from the rates below.

Classification Per bale pay rate Per kilo pay rate Per run pay rate Public holiday -

per bale payment

Public holiday -

per kilo payment

Woolpresser - by hand $25.03 $0.1642 $82.77 $50.06 $0.3284

Woolpresser - by power $16.69 $0.1095 $82.77 $33.38 $0.219