Meat Industry Award pay guide 2026/2027
A simple, practical guide for abattoirs, boning rooms, smallgoods makers and butcher shops
Updated • FY2026/27 rates — effective the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026
Written by
Steve Harris
Summarise with AI
This guide provides general information about the Meat Industry Award 2020 [MA000059] and related Australian workplace laws as at the date of publication.
It does not constitute legal, financial, payroll or employment advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Pay rates, penalty rates and allowance amounts under modern awards change periodically, particularly following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review. This guide includes indicative minimum figures based on rates effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. The calculator and rate tables model the meat processing establishment; meat manufacturing and meat retail establishments use a similar structure with some different penalty windows. Employers must always check the current Fair Work pay guide before setting or paying wages.
This award covers the meat industry. General factory and food manufacturing may fall under the Manufacturing Award, retail butchers in some settings under the General Retail Award, and on-farm livestock work under the Pastoral Award. Always confirm award coverage (e.g. using Fair Work’s Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT)).
If you need award-specific guidance, see:
Looking for MA000059?
This is it. MA000059 is the official Fair Work code for the Meat Industry Award 2020. This guide covers its pay rates, classifications, penalties and compliance for 2026/27.
View official MA000059 on Fair Work →Award rate calculator
See how RosterElf interprets the Meat Industry Award
This is an educational example showing how the Meat Industry Award penalty rates work. It demonstrates how RosterElf automatically calculates correct pay rates based on classification level, employment type, and shift times.
Award penalty rates
Example weekly cost (38 hours)
Example only - not for payroll use
This is a demonstration of how RosterElf calculates award-compliant rates.
The actual cost for your employees will depend on:
- Their specific classification level and employment type
- Actual hours worked and shift times
- Any additional allowances, overtime, or enterprise agreement provisions
- Current award rates (which change annually in July)
For accurate payroll calculations, always:
- Verify current rates with the official Fair Work pay guide
- Confirm your employees' correct award coverage and classification
- Use award interpretation software or consult a payroll professional
- Review your specific enterprise agreement (if applicable)
Do not rely on this example for actual wage payments.
Stop calculating penalty rates manually
Let RosterElf handle award compliance automatically
Manual award calculations are time-consuming and error-prone. One mistake can lead to underpayments, compliance issues, and Fair Work penalties. RosterElf's award interpretation engine does the work for you.
How RosterElf automates award calculations
Create pay templates
Create pay templates for each classification level with award-compliant base rates and penalty multipliers. RosterElf applies the correct template to each shift automatically.
Award interpretation →Define rate rules
Configure when different penalty rates apply (evenings, weekends, public holidays). The system detects which rate to use based on shift times and days.
Penalty rates guide →Auto-apply to shifts
Every rostered shift calculates the correct pay rate based on the employee's classification, employment type, and shift timing. No manual work required.
Payroll integration →Quick casual pay rates reference 2026/27
Casual rates for ordinary weekday hours in a meat processing establishment, generated from the current Fair Work pay guide:
FY2026/27 rates are in effect
All modern award rates rose 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, and the national minimum wage is now $26.44/hr. The rates below and in the calculator reflect the current Fair Work pay guide.
Casual hourly rates 2026/27 (meat processing, ordinary weekday hours)
| Level | Example roles | Casual hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level: labouring, packing, general hands | $32.18 |
| Level 2 | Basic slaughtering/boning duties, some experience | $33.05 |
| Level 3 | Slaughtering, boning, slicing with competency | $33.25 |
| Level 4 | Skilled slaughtering/boning, multi-task operators | $34.04 |
| Level 5 | Advanced skilled operators, leading hands | $34.64 |
| Level 6 | Highly skilled / supervisory operators | $35.35 |
| Level 7 | Trade-qualified / specialist meat workers | $36.81 |
Weekend, public holiday & shift rates are higher
On top of the ordinary rates above: Saturday +50%, Sunday +100%, and public holidays from +150% (up to +200% on Christmas Day, Anzac Day and Good Friday after the first 4 hours). Shiftwork (afternoon, night and fixed-night) and cold-work attract separate loadings. See the penalty & shiftwork section below, and use the calculator for the ordinary/weekend/public-holiday figures.
Quick summary for time-poor employers
Important: This guide models the meat processing establishment (abattoirs and boning rooms). Meat manufacturing (smallgoods) and meat retail (butcher shops) use the same level structure with some different weekend windows — confirm which establishment type applies (see the disclaimer above).
If you only skim one section, make it this one:
- The Meat Industry Award 2020 [MA000059] covers three establishment types — meat processing (abattoirs, boning rooms), meat manufacturing (smallgoods) and meat retail (butcher shops) — across Levels 1–7.
- Minimums are reviewed each July. The FY2026/27 pay guide took effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, lifting all rates by 4.75%.
- Example 2026/27 adult minimum pay (meat processing):
- Level 1: full-time/part-time $25.74/hr, casual $32.18/hr.
- Level 7: full-time/part-time $29.45/hr, casual $36.81/hr.
- Weekend penalties are 150% (Saturday) and 200% (Sunday); public holidays from 250%.
- Junior, apprentice, shiftwork and cold-work rates all apply on top — see below.
- Get establishment type, level, employment type and shift type right for every employee.
Bottom line: with establishment types, shiftwork, cold-work and junior/apprentice scales, manual calculation is error-prone — check your underpayment risk. Award-aware rostering software with award interpretation keeps it correct automatically. See our guide on how to roster meat industry staff.
Who the award covers (and who it doesn't)
The Meat Industry Award covers employers and employees in three establishment types:
- Meat processing establishment: abattoirs, slaughtering, boning rooms and wholesale meat processing.
- Meat manufacturing establishment: smallgoods, bacon, ham and processed-meat manufacturing.
- Meat retail establishment: retail butcher shops and the meat departments of independent retailers.
Important — who’s covered by other awards: general food and factory manufacturing may fall under the Manufacturing Award; meat departments in larger supermarkets/retailers may fall under the General Retail Award; and on-farm livestock work under the Pastoral Award. Confirm coverage with Fair Work’s PACT tool before applying rates.
2026/27 pay rates overview: what you must pay
A snapshot of the current FY2026/27 meat processing rates, generated from the same data that powers the calculator above. Meat manufacturing and retail establishments use the same Levels 1–7 base rates — check the pay guide for the weekend windows that apply to each establishment type.
What changed from 2025/26
The FY2026/27 Annual Wage Review lifted all modern award minimum rates by 4.75%. For this award, for example: Level 1 is now $25.74/hr (full-time/part-time) and Level 7 is $29.45/hr. Penalty, shiftwork, junior and apprentice rates rose proportionally. Always confirm against the current pay guide.
Adult – full-time & part-time
Ordinary weekday rates for meat processing classifications:
| Level | Example roles | Weekly pay | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level: labouring, packing, general hands | $978.10 | $25.74 |
| Level 2 | Basic slaughtering/boning duties, some experience | $1,004.90 | $26.44 |
| Level 3 | Slaughtering, boning, slicing with competency | $1,010.90 | $26.60 |
| Level 4 | Skilled slaughtering/boning, multi-task operators | $1,034.60 | $27.23 |
| Level 5 | Advanced skilled operators, leading hands | $1,052.90 | $27.71 |
| Level 6 | Highly skilled / supervisory operators | $1,074.50 | $28.28 |
| Level 7 | Trade-qualified / specialist meat workers | $1,119.10 | $29.45 |
Meat processing establishment. Trade-qualified juniors must be paid the appropriate adult rate.
Adult – casual
Casuals receive the same base rate plus a 25% loading. Ordinary weekday casual rates:
| Level | Example roles | Casual hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level: labouring, packing, general hands | $32.18 |
| Level 2 | Basic slaughtering/boning duties, some experience | $33.05 |
| Level 3 | Slaughtering, boning, slicing with competency | $33.25 |
| Level 4 | Skilled slaughtering/boning, multi-task operators | $34.04 |
| Level 5 | Advanced skilled operators, leading hands | $34.64 |
| Level 6 | Highly skilled / supervisory operators | $35.35 |
| Level 7 | Trade-qualified / specialist meat workers | $36.81 |
Casual rates shown are the ordinary weekday rate (base + 25% loading). Weekend, public-holiday, shiftwork and cold-work loadings apply on top — use the calculator above.
Apprentices
Apprentice rates (meat processing, started on or after 1 January 2014, did not complete year 12). Apprentices who completed year 12 are paid higher rates — see the pay guide.
| Stage | Weekly pay | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year / Stage 1 (did not complete year 12) | $559.55 | $14.73 |
| 2nd year / Stage 2 | $671.46 | $17.67 |
| 3rd year / Stage 3 | $951.24 | $25.03 |
| 4th year / Stage 4 | $1,063.15 | $27.98 |
Stage/year rates. Apprentices who completed year 12, and those who started before 1 January 2014, are paid different rates — check the pay guide or PACT.
How to classify your staff
Classification follows duties, skills and responsibility — not job title.
- Levels 1–7 progress from entry-level labouring and packing (Level 1) through competent slaughtering, boning and slicing roles to highly skilled, leading-hand and trade-qualified meat workers (Levels 6–7).
- Establishment type matters: the same level can attract different weekend windows in a processing vs manufacturing vs retail establishment.
- Juniors (under 20) are paid a percentage of the adult rate; trade-qualified juniors must be paid the full adult rate.
- Apprentices are paid stage/year-based rates.
Write each employee’s establishment type, level, age/apprentice stage and employment type into your payroll/rostering system. If unsure, confirm the right level.
Penalty rates, shiftwork & overtime
Meat processing establishment penalties (on the ordinary rate):
- Saturday: 150% (full-time/part-time and casual)
- Sunday: 200% (full-time/part-time and casual)
- Public holiday: 250% for most public holidays (300% on Christmas Day, Anzac Day, and Good Friday after the first 4 hours); casual public-holiday work is generally 200%.
- Shiftwork loadings (separate from the calculator): afternoon shift (starts at/after 2pm, finishes at/before midnight) and night shift (finishes after midnight and at/before 9am) attract a loading, with a higher fixed night shift loading. Non-continuous shifts of fewer than 5 successive shifts attract a higher loading again.
- Overtime: time-and-a-half for the first 3 hours then double time; all Sunday overtime at double time.
The calculator above covers ordinary, Saturday, Sunday and public-holiday rates for the meat processing establishment. For shiftwork, overtime and the meat manufacturing/retail windows, use Fair Work’s PACT tool or award-interpreting software.
Stop calculating shiftwork and penalties by hand
RosterElf's award interpretation engine applies Meat Industry Award weekend, public-holiday, shiftwork and overtime rates automatically from each shift's times.
See award interpretationFull-time vs part-time vs casual
Full-time & part-time
- Full-time is around 38 hours per week, ongoing; part-time has a regular agreed pattern.
- Both receive paid annual and personal/carer’s leave (pro-rata for part-time) and other NES entitlements. Part-time hours should be agreed in writing.
- Daily hire is a distinct engagement type used in some meat processing establishments — check the award for daily-hire conditions.
Casual
- Paid a 25% casual loading on the ordinary rate instead of paid leave, with a minimum engagement per shift.
- Under this award, casual weekend rates are defined as flat amounts (the loading is not stacked on top of the weekend penalty) — casual Saturday is 150% and Sunday 200%, the same headline as permanents, while casual ordinary weekday work is 125%.
Casuals working regular, ongoing hours may be eligible for casual conversion to permanent employment.
Allowances
The Meat Industry Award has some distinctive allowances, especially for cold work:
- Cold work – about $0.77/hr (below 0°C), rising with temperature: $1.33/hr (below −16°C), $1.88/hr (below −18°C) and $2.56/hr (below −21°C).
- Clothing – about $0.74 per day (max $3.70/week) in a meat processing establishment.
- First aid – about $4.18 per day.
- Leading hand – about $17.91/week (supervising 3–9 employees) or $25.74/week (10 or more).
- Meal allowance (overtime) – about $19.14.
Exact amounts update each pay guide — see the Fair Work pay guide.
Step-by-step compliance plan
- Confirm the award and establishment type (meat processing, manufacturing or retail; not Manufacturing, General Retail or Pastoral).
- Download the latest pay guide (FY2026/27).
- Classify each employee by establishment type, level and age/apprentice stage.
- Set base rates and apply Saturday/Sunday/public-holiday penalties, shiftwork loadings, cold-work and overtime.
- Use award-interpreting software so shiftwork and overtime are calculated automatically, and keep records for 7 years.
Final takeaways
- Three establishment types: meat processing, meat manufacturing and meat retail — confirm which applies.
- Levels 1–7 plus junior and apprentice scales — trade-qualified juniors get the full adult rate.
- Cold work and shiftwork are distinctive to this award and easy to miss.
- Sunday is 200% in meat processing — higher than many awards.
- Update every July and keep good records.
For official guidance, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Industries using this award
Explore rostering solutions for businesses covered by the Meat Industry Award
Run the Meat Industry Award on autopilot
RosterElf builds the award rules into your rosters, timesheets and payroll.
Award interpretation
Automatically applies weekend, public-holiday, shiftwork and overtime rates from shift times.
Rostering software
Build award-aware rosters in minutes with live wage cost and compliance warnings.
Time & attendance
Capture exact start and finish times with a kiosk time clock and live attendance.
Payroll integration
Send award-interpreted timesheets straight to Xero, MYOB and other payroll systems.
Meat Industry Award knowledge base
Step-by-step help for applying the award inside RosterElf.
Related award rate guides
Explore other Australian Modern Award pay rate guides
Stop calculating the Meat Industry Award by hand
RosterElf applies Meat Industry Award (MA000059) penalty, shiftwork, overtime and public holiday rates automatically based on shift times.
Meat Industry Award FAQ
-
The Meat Industry Award 2020 (MA000059) covers employers and employees across three establishment types: meat processing (abattoirs, slaughtering, boning rooms and wholesale processing), meat manufacturing (smallgoods, bacon and ham) and meat retail (butcher shops and retail meat departments). Staff are classified into Levels 1–7 based on skill and duties, with separate junior and apprentice scales.
-
A meat processing establishment is an abattoir or boning room handling slaughtering and wholesale meat. A meat manufacturing establishment makes smallgoods and processed meats. A meat retail establishment is a butcher shop or retail meat counter. They share the same Levels 1–7 base rates but apply different Saturday and Sunday penalty windows, so it’s important to confirm which establishment type your business is.
-
Juniors are paid a percentage of the adult Level 1 rate — about 50% under 17, 60% at 17, 75% at 18 and 85% at 19, reaching the full adult rate at 20. Trade-qualified juniors must be paid the full adult rate regardless of age. Apprentices are paid stage/year-based rates, with higher rates for apprentices who have completed year 12.