Rates
Building and Construction Award Levels (2026)
The building and construction award levels run from CW1 to CW8 (plus ECW9 for engineering construction) under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020). General labourers usually start at CW1, scaffolders and traffic controllers sit at CW2, and qualified tradespeople such as carpenters at CW3. Confirm current rates on Fair Work.
This guide explains each level in plain English, the 1 July 2026 minimum rates, the allowances that sit on top, and how to classify a labourer correctly. General information, not legal advice. Yakka Labour is the hiring marketplace, not the workwear brand with a similar name.
What are the construction award levels and rates?
The table shows the minimum classification rates in clause 19.1 of the Building and Construction General On-site Award, as varied from 1 July 2026, with example roles taken from the award's broadbanded classification lists.
| Level | Example roles in the award | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| CW1 (level a), new entrant | General hand, builders' labourer, tradesperson's labourer, demolition labourer, landscape labourer | $1,013.50 | $26.67 |
| CW1 (level b), after 3 months | As above | $1,033.50 | $27.20 |
| CW1 (level c), after 12 months | As above | $1,047.30 | $27.56 |
| CW1 (level d) | Completed CW1 skills test or structured training | $1,066.00 | $28.05 |
| CW2 | Scaffolder, steelfixer, concrete finisher, traffic controller, landscaper, spotter | $1,087.50 | $28.62 |
| CW3 | Carpenter, bricklayer, rigger, dogger, other certificated trades | $1,119.10 | $29.45 |
| CW4 | Inspector, joiner-setter out, excavator up to 0.5 cubic metres | $1,154.40 | $30.38 |
| CW5 | Grader, excavator above 0.5 cubic metres, mobile crane over 10 up to 100 tonnes | $1,189.60 | $31.31 |
| CW6 | Electronics tradesperson, mobile crane over 100 up to 140 tonnes | $1,221.30 | $32.14 |
| CW7 | Dogger-crane hand (fixed cranes), tower crane operator, sub-foreperson | $1,256.30 | $33.06 |
| CW8 | Foreperson, carpenter-diver | $1,286.70 | $33.86 |
These classification rates are not the whole wage. The award's ordinary hourly rate adds the industry allowance, and casuals add 25% on top. Use the Fair Work pay guide for the exact daily hire, weekly hire and casual figures.
What does each construction level mean in plain English?
- CW1: works under general supervision. Levels a to c are time-based (start, 3 months, 12 months in the industry). Level d applies once the worker has passed a construction skills test or relevant structured training. Indicative tasks include basic material handling, operating small plant and hand tools, and assisting tradespeople.
- CW2: works under limited supervision, can interpret plans relevant to their work, may supervise CW1 workers and applies quality checks to their own work.
- CW3: the trade level. Covers certificated trades and skilled operators with a sound understanding of the construction process.
- CW4 to CW6: higher precision trade or operator skills, more complex plant and construction sequencing.
- CW7 and CW8: advanced trade, crane and supervisory roles, up to foreperson.
How do you classify a labourer under the construction award?
Classify by the work actually done, not the job title. The award's classification principles say employers must consider the nature and skill requirements of the position, the employee's skills and certification, and their experience against the indicative tasks for each level.
Example: Josh starts his first construction job on a townhouse project in Marsden Park with a white card and no prior site experience. He is CW1 (level a). After 3 months in the industry he moves to level b, and after 12 months to level c. If he completes a relevant structured training program or passes a construction skills test, he moves to CW1 (level d). If he later works as a scaffolder, he should be paid at CW2 from the day he performs that work, not when he asks.
Common errors include paying a scaffolder or traffic controller as a CW1, forgetting time-based increments, and copying a rate from a different award. The decision guide in what award a labourer comes under helps where the work is not on a building site.
What allowances apply on top of the construction award levels?
The award adds several allowances from 1 July 2026. Key ones:
| Allowance | Amount from 1 July 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Industry allowance: general building, civil and metal and engineering construction | $67.15 per week | Paid for all purposes |
| Industry allowance: residential building and construction | $53.72 per week | Single or dual occupancy, not multistorey |
| Tool allowance: carpenter, tilelayer, stonemason and others | $41.22 per week | Paid for all purposes |
| Multistorey allowance | $0.77–2.24 per hour | Scaled by floor level on buildings of 5 or more storeys |
| Overtime meal allowance | $19.74 | After at least 1.5 hours of overtime |
The award also requires employers to reimburse steel-capped boots on commencement where they are required, and to provide or reimburse other protective clothing. Project-based site allowances usually come from enterprise agreements rather than the award; see site allowance explained.
How do casual and daily hire work under the construction award?
The award recognises daily hire, weekly hire, part-time and casual employees. A daily hire employee is a tradesperson or labourer engaged on terms that include a follow-the-job loading, built into the hourly rate calculation. Casuals receive a 25% loading for ordinary hours and a minimum of 4 hours' pay per engagement, plus fares and travel entitlements. For casual overtime and weekend work, 150% becomes 175% and 200% becomes 225%, and a public holiday is 275%. Worked examples are in casual loading explained.
Do market rates for construction workers match the award levels?
Rarely. Award levels set the legal floor; market rates for casual site labourers in capital cities commonly sit around $35–48/hr and carpenters higher, as indicative 2026 market observations. Large commercial projects often pay under enterprise agreements with higher rates and allowances. Whatever you pay, it must never fall below the award for the correct level, including allowances and penalties. Compliance basics are in labour hire compliance in Australia.
How do I read the construction award pay guide?
The construction award's rates depend on several choices, so work through them in order before you read a figure from the pay guide:
- Pick the employment type first: daily hire, weekly hire, part-time or casual. Rates differ because daily hire includes a follow-the-job loading.
- Pick the sector: general building and construction, civil, metal and engineering, or residential. This changes the industry allowance built into the hourly rate.
- Find the level, including CW1 sub-levels a to d.
- Check whether a tool allowance applies to the trade, such as carpenters, tilers and painters.
- Read across for overtime, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday columns.
Save the guide with the date you downloaded it, because figures change each July.
How do I hire construction workers on Yakka?
Post the job with the suburb, start time, tasks, required tickets (white card, scaffolding or traffic control) and an AUD hourly rate at or above the award level for that work. Workers apply directly; you message them, agree the rate in writing in the app and pay through the platform with no agency margin on top. Start at general labourers near you or carpenters near you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a white card enough to be classified above CW1?
No. A white card is a safety induction required for construction work, not a skills qualification. Movement from CW1 level a to level c is based on time in the industry, and level d requires a construction skills test, structured training or equivalent assessed skills. Higher levels depend on the work performed and relevant qualifications or competencies.
Does the construction award apply to residential builders?
Yes. The Building and Construction General On-site Award covers general building and construction, including residential work, undertaken on site. Residential work on single or dual occupancy buildings that are not multistorey attracts a lower industry allowance than general building. Off-site joinery and prefabrication work may fall under the Joinery and Building Trades Award instead.
When do construction award rates change?
Award minimum rates usually change from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year, following the Fair Work Commission annual wage review. Allowances linked to the standard rate change at the same time. Download the updated pay guide each July and update rates in your payroll system before the first affected pay run.
Can an apprentice carpenter be paid at CW1?
No. Apprentices have their own minimum rates in the award, set as percentages based on the year of apprenticeship and whether they completed year 12, with separate rates for adult apprentices. Check the apprentice tables in the Fair Work pay guide for the Building and Construction General On-site Award rather than using the CW levels.
What happens if a worker is classified at the wrong level?
If the work matches a higher level, the employer owes the difference for every hour worked at the wrong rate, plus any penalties and super calculated on the correct rate. Underpayments can lead to back pay and penalties. Review classifications when duties change and keep records of qualifications and time in the industry.
Official sources
Award rates, licences and safety rules change. Check the official source before you hire or take on a shift.
- Fair Work Ombudsman — pay guidesMinimum award rates, casual loading and penalty rates
- Fair Work Pay CalculatorWork out the minimum pay for a specific award and shift
- Safe Work AustraliaNational work health and safety framework, including high-risk work licences
