General information only — not legal advice. First speak with your employer, then if unsuccessful contact Fair Work or an employment lawyer.
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Is My Black Coal Mining Award Pay Rate Legal?

Rates effective 1 July 2025 · MA000006

Your hourly rate under the Black Coal Mining Award is not a single number. It depends on your classification level, whether you are full-time, part-time, or casual, and what day and time you work. If you have never checked your rate against the award, there is a good chance something is off.

Common roles covered: Mine workers, shot firers, deputies, coal preparation plant operators. If that sounds like your job — check the rates below.

Minimum hourly rates at a glance

Rate typeLevel 1Level 2
Full-time / Part-time (base)$25.44/hr$26.27/hr
Casual (incl. 25% loading)$31.80/hr$32.84/hr
Sunday — casual$63.60/hr$65.68/hr
Public holiday — casual$79.50/hr$82.10/hr

These are minimums. Your employer can pay more — but never less. See the full rate schedule at Black Coal Mining Award pay rates.

What determines your rate

1. Your classification level

Your level is based on the duties you actually perform, not what your job title says. If your responsibilities have grown but your classification has not been reviewed, you may be on the wrong level — and the wrong rate. The gap between Level 1 and Level 2 alone is $0.83/hr. See Black Coal Mining Award classifications.

2. Your employment type

Casuals receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate to compensate for no paid leave. If you are casual but not seeing a rate at least 25% above the full-time base, something is wrong. Level 1 base is $25.44/hr — casual must be at least $31.80/hr.

3. When you work

Weekends and public holidays attract penalty rates that are significantly higher than weekday rates. If your payslip shows the same rate on a Tuesday as on a Sunday, penalties are not being applied.

If your rate is below the minimum

You are owed the difference — for every hour you have been underpaid, going back up to 6 years. Even a shortfall of $1–2/hr adds up to thousands over time. The Fair Work Ombudsman can recover it at no cost to you.

Not sure if your rate is right?

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Not sure if your Black Coal Mining Award pay is right?

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Frequently asked questions

What determines my hourly rate under the Black Coal Mining Award?

Three things: your classification level (based on your duties and experience), your employment type (full-time, part-time, or casual), and when you work (weekdays, weekends, public holidays, early mornings, late nights). Each combination has a specific minimum rate.

What if my employer pays above the award rate?

If your employer pays above the minimum for all hours including penalties, overtime, and allowances, that is fine. The award sets the floor, not the ceiling. But make sure the higher rate genuinely covers everything — a rate that looks generous on weekdays can still be an underpayment when penalties apply.

How often do award rates change?

Award rates are reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission and typically increase on 1 July each year. If your pay has not increased since the last review, you may be below the current minimum.

Can I be paid different rates on different days?

Yes — and you should be. The award sets different minimum rates for weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and various time bands. If your rate is the same regardless of when you work, penalty rates are likely missing.

Your rate is not a rough estimate — it is a legally defined minimum. If you are being paid less, that is underpayment. Check now.

Not sure if your Black Coal Mining Award pay is right?

Enter your shifts and find out in 2 minutes. Free, instant, based on official Fair Work rates.

Check my pay now

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Rates sourced from the Fair Work Commission pay guide for the Black Coal Mining Award (MA000006), effective 1 July 2025. General information only — not legal advice. Verify at fairwork.gov.au.