Pastoral Award pay guide 2026/2027
A simple, practical guide for farms, stations and livestock employers
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 Pastoral Award 2020 [MA000035] 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. The calculator and rate tables model the farm and livestock hand stream; the award also covers piggery and poultry attendants (with weekend penalties), shearers and pieceworkers, and broadacre/grain work, which have their own rules. This guide includes indicative minimum figures effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Employers must always check the current Fair Work pay guide before setting or paying wages.
Horticulture and fruit/vegetable growing are usually covered by the Horticulture Award, and meat processing by the Meat Industry 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 MA000035?
This is it. MA000035 is the official Fair Work code for the Pastoral Award 2020. This guide covers its pay rates, classifications, penalties and compliance for 2026/27.
View official MA000035 on Fair Work →Award rate calculator
See how RosterElf interprets the Pastoral Award
This is an educational example showing how the Pastoral 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 hours for farm and livestock hands, 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 (farm & livestock hand, ordinary hours)
| Level | Example roles | Casual hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| FLH 1 | Entry-level farm/station hand | $32.18 |
| FLH 2 | Some experience / basic competencies | $33.05 |
| FLH 3 | Experienced hand | $33.11 |
| FLH 4 | Skilled hand / machinery operation | $33.85 |
| FLH 5 | Advanced skilled hand | $34.44 |
| FLH 6 | Highly skilled / leading hand duties | $34.96 |
| FLH 7 | Specialist / supervisory | $36.81 |
| FLH 8 | Senior specialist / overseer | $39.55 |
Weekend work is overtime; public holidays are higher
Farm and livestock hands have no ordinary weekend penalty — Saturday and Sunday work is overtime (Saturday 1.5×, Sunday 2×). Public holidays are 200% (250% for some streams such as piggery/poultry). Casual rates are higher again. Piggery and poultry attendants do have ordinary weekend penalties — see the penalty section.
Quick summary for time-poor employers
Important: This guide models the farm and livestock hand stream. Piggery/poultry attendants, shearers and pieceworkers, and broadacre work have their own rules — confirm which applies (see the disclaimer above).
If you only skim one section, make it this one:
- The Pastoral Award 2020 [MA000035] covers farming and pastoral work — farm and livestock hands (levels 1–8), piggery and poultry attendants, shearers and pieceworkers.
- 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 (farm & livestock hand):
- Level 1: full-time/part-time $25.74/hr, casual $32.18/hr.
- Level 8: full-time/part-time $31.64/hr, casual $39.55/hr.
- Weekend work is overtime for farm hands (Saturday 1.5×, Sunday 2×); public holidays 2×.
- Keep/found deductions apply where board and lodging are provided.
- Get stream, level, employment type and overtime right for every employee.
Bottom line: with multiple streams, overtime-based weekends, piecework and keep/found deductions, manual calculation is error-prone — check your underpayment risk. Award-aware rostering software with award interpretation keeps it correct automatically.
Who the award covers (and who it doesn't)
The Pastoral Award covers farming and pastoral operations:
- Farm and livestock hands (Levels 1–8): general farm, station and livestock work.
- Piggery and poultry attendants: with their own weekend penalty structure.
- Shearers, crutchers, shed hands and wool classers: often paid by piecework.
- Broadacre/grain and other pastoral operations.
Important — who’s covered by other awards: horticulture (fruit/vegetable/nursery growing) → Horticulture Award; meat processing → Meat Industry 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 farm-and-livestock-hand rates, generated from the same data that powers the calculator above.
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: farm & livestock hand level 1 is now $25.74/hr and level 8 is $31.64/hr (full-time/part-time). Penalty and casual rates rose proportionally. Always confirm against the current pay guide.
Adult – full-time & part-time
Ordinary rates for farm and livestock hand levels 1–8:
| Level | Example roles | Weekly pay | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLH 1 | Entry-level farm/station hand | $978.10 | $25.74 |
| FLH 2 | Some experience / basic competencies | $1,004.90 | $26.44 |
| FLH 3 | Experienced hand | $1,006.80 | $26.49 |
| FLH 4 | Skilled hand / machinery operation | $1,029.10 | $27.08 |
| FLH 5 | Advanced skilled hand | $1,046.90 | $27.55 |
| FLH 6 | Highly skilled / leading hand duties | $1,062.90 | $27.97 |
| FLH 7 | Specialist / supervisory | $1,119.10 | $29.45 |
| FLH 8 | Senior specialist / overseer | $1,202.50 | $31.64 |
Farm and livestock hand stream. Piggery/poultry attendants, shearers and pieceworkers have separate rates — see the pay guide.
Adult – casual
Casuals receive the same base rate plus a 25% loading. Ordinary casual rates:
| Level | Example roles | Casual hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| FLH 1 | Entry-level farm/station hand | $32.18 |
| FLH 2 | Some experience / basic competencies | $33.05 |
| FLH 3 | Experienced hand | $33.11 |
| FLH 4 | Skilled hand / machinery operation | $33.85 |
| FLH 5 | Advanced skilled hand | $34.44 |
| FLH 6 | Highly skilled / leading hand duties | $34.96 |
| FLH 7 | Specialist / supervisory | $36.81 |
| FLH 8 | Senior specialist / overseer | $39.55 |
Casual rates shown are the ordinary rate (base + 25% loading). Overtime and public-holiday rates apply on top — use the calculator above.
How to classify your staff
Classification follows skill, responsibility and the type of work:
- Farm and livestock hands Levels 1–8 progress from entry-level station hands through skilled machinery operators to overseers.
- Piggery and poultry attendants are classified separately and do attract ordinary weekend penalties.
- Shearers, shed hands and wool classers are often paid by piecework (per animal/per run) rather than hourly.
- Keep/found arrangements (board and lodging) allow set deductions from wages.
Write each employee’s stream, level and employment type into your payroll/rostering system. If unsure, confirm the right level.
Overtime, weekends & public holidays
Farm and livestock hands work a wide spread of ordinary hours and have no ordinary weekend penalty — weekend work is overtime (on the ordinary rate):
- Saturday (overtime): 150%.
- Sunday (overtime): 200%.
- Public holiday: 200% (full-time/part-time); casual higher again.
- Piggery and poultry attendants instead have ordinary Saturday (150%), Sunday (200%) and public holiday (250%) penalties.
- Keep/found deductions: where board and lodging are provided, set amounts may be deducted (about $165.86/week for keep, $42.05/day for found employees).
The calculator above covers ordinary hours, Saturday/Sunday overtime and public holidays for farm and livestock hands. For piggery/poultry, shearing piecework and other streams, use Fair Work’s PACT tool or award-interpreting software.
Stop calculating farm overtime by hand
RosterElf's award interpretation engine applies Pastoral Award overtime, weekend and public-holiday 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 (averaged), 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. Seasonal patterns are common in pastoral work.
Casual
- Paid a 25% casual loading instead of paid leave, with a minimum engagement per shift.
- Casual overtime and public-holiday rates are higher than the permanent rates because the loading is added to the penalty.
Casuals working regular, ongoing hours may be eligible for casual conversion to permanent employment.
Allowances & deductions
The Pastoral Award’s distinctive arrangements include:
- Keep – where board and lodging are provided, the employer may deduct about $165.86 per week.
- Found – for found employees, deduct about $42.05 per day.
- Leading hand and first aid allowances apply — calculate these via Fair Work’s PACT tool, as the headline rates exclude them.
- Shearing has its own piecework rates and a shearing-cook allowance.
Exact amounts update each pay guide — see the Fair Work pay guide.
Step-by-step compliance plan
- Confirm the award and stream (farm/livestock hand, piggery/poultry, shearing; not Horticulture or Meat).
- Download the latest pay guide (FY2026/27).
- Classify each employee by stream and level.
- Set base rates and apply overtime, public-holiday rates and any keep/found deductions.
- Use award-interpreting software so overtime is calculated automatically, and keep records for 7 years.
Final takeaways
- Farm & livestock hands Levels 1–8, plus piggery/poultry, shearing and broadacre streams.
- Farm hands have no ordinary weekend penalty — weekend work is overtime (Saturday 1.5×, Sunday 2×).
- Public holidays are 2× (2.5× for piggery/poultry).
- Keep/found deductions apply where board and lodging are provided.
- 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 Pastoral Award
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Award interpretation
Automatically applies overtime, weekend and public-holiday 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.
Pastoral 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 Pastoral Award by hand
RosterElf applies Pastoral Award (MA000035) overtime, weekend and public holiday rates automatically based on shift times.
Pastoral Award FAQ
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The Pastoral Award 2020 (MA000035) covers farming and pastoral operations — farm and livestock hands (Levels 1–8), piggery and poultry attendants, and shearers, shed hands and wool classers (often paid by piecework). Horticulture (fruit/vegetable growing) and meat processing are covered by separate awards.
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Farm and livestock hands have no ordinary weekend penalty — they work a wide spread of ordinary hours, and Saturday/Sunday work is paid as overtime (Saturday 150%, Sunday 200%). Piggery and poultry attendants are different: they attract ordinary Saturday (150%), Sunday (200%) and public-holiday (250%) penalties. Always confirm which stream applies.
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Where an employer provides keep (board and lodging), they may deduct a set amount — about $165.86 per week — from the employee’s wages. For found employees, a deduction of about $42.05 per day applies. These reflect the value of accommodation and meals provided on farms and stations.