Clerks Award, explained for shift work.
Clerks - Private Sector Award 2020 · Reviewed July 2026 by the MyGig compliance team
Clerical and administrative work in the private sector across industries: an occupation-based award that follows the work, not the industry.
Penalties and loadings to know
- Casual loading of 25% on the ordinary hourly rate
- Penalties for Saturday and Sunday work
- A span of ordinary hours; work outside it attracts overtime or penalties
Roles typically covered
Current minimum rates
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.
Clerks Award FAQs
When does the Clerks Award apply instead of an industry award?
When the employee’s work is principally clerical/administrative and the employer’s industry award does not cover clerical staff. It is one of the most commonly misapplied awards; MyGig’s award engine classifies each role before a shift is posted.
Do casual admin staff get weekend penalties?
Yes, the award provides higher rates for Saturday and Sunday work, on top of the 25% casual loading, per its penalty tables.
Where are the current Clerks Award rates?
In the official Fair Work pay guide for MA000002, updated each 1 July. MyGig applies current rates automatically to every clerical shift.
General information only, not legal advice. The award itself (Clerks - Private Sector Award 2020, MA000002) 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.