Building & Construction Award, explained for shift work.
Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 · Reviewed July 2026 by the MyGig compliance team
On-site building, civil, and engineering construction work, from general labouring to trades, with industry-specific allowances that materially change effective rates.
Penalties and loadings to know
- Casual loading of 25% where casual engagement is used (daily-hire is more common on site)
- An industry allowance and often tool/special allowances fold into the effective rate
- Overtime at time-and-a-half then double time; RDO systems are standard
Roles typically covered
Casual hourly rates under the Building & Construction Award
| Classification | Casual $/hr |
|---|---|
| Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) (level a) | $35.10 |
| Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) (level b) | $35.76 |
| Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) (level c) | $36.21 |
| Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) (level d) | $36.83 |
| Level 2 (CW/ECW 2) | $37.54 |
| Level 3 (CW/ECW 3) | $38.58 |
| Level 4 (CW/ECW 4) | $39.74 |
| Level 5 (CW/ECW 5) | $40.90 |
| Level 6 (CW/ECW 6) | $41.94 |
| Level 7 (CW/ECW 7) | $43.09 |
| Level 8 (CW/ECW 8) | $44.09 |
| Level 9 (ECW 9) | $44.84 |
Adult casual hourly rates including the 25% casual loading, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, covering all 12 casual classifications in MyGig's award engine. Source: MyGig award engine, built from Fair Work Commission pay guides. Penalties, overtime, and allowances apply on top per the award.
Free download:the 2026 Casual Rates Card puts every award’s entry casual rate on one printable sheet.
Get the rates cardCurrent minimum rates
Entry-level adult casual: $35.10/hr as at 1 July 2026, from MyGig's award engine (the same data that prices every shift). Award rates change with every annual wage review (first full pay period on or after 1 July). For the full classification tables, use the official pay guide, or let MyGig apply them for you: every shift estimate uses current rates, penalties included, clause cited.
Building & Construction Award FAQs
Why do construction rates look higher than the base award table?
Because industry and special allowances fold into the ordinary rate on site: the published classification minimum is only the starting point. Estimates on MyGig include the applicable allowances.
Is casual common on construction sites?
Less than in other industries: daily-hire and weekly-hire (with their own loadings) are the traditional forms. Where casuals are used, the 25% loading and award conditions apply.
What tickets do site workers need?
A White Card (general construction induction) at minimum, plus task-specific high-risk licences where relevant. MyGig verifies tickets before workers can accept site shifts.
General information only, not legal advice. The award itself (Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, MA000020) and the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay tools are the authoritative sources: read the award. Back to all award guides or MyGig compliance & EOR.
Stop interpreting awards by hand.
MyGig employs your casual workers as EOR and applies this award automatically: rates, loadings, penalties, and super, with the clause cited.