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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Dredging Industry Award Classification Levels 2025–26

Rates effective 11 November 2025 · MA000085

Your classification level under the Dredging Industry Award determines your minimum pay rate. Being classified one level too low can cost you $2–4 per hour — more than $3,000 per year for a full-time worker.

Classification levels

Non Propelled Dredge

Level 1Chief engineer

Base rate: $32.02/hr · Casual: $40.03/hr

Level 2Chief operator

Base rate: $32.02/hr · Casual: $40.03/hr

Level 3First engineer

Base rate: $31.38/hr · Casual: $39.23/hr

Level 4First operator

Base rate: $31.38/hr · Casual: $39.23/hr

Level 5Drilling technician

Base rate: $30.52/hr · Casual: $38.15/hr

Level 6Engineer

Base rate: $29.92/hr · Casual: $37.40/hr

Level 7Mechanical attendant

Base rate: $29.92/hr · Casual: $37.40/hr

Level 8Crane operator (mechanical)

Base rate: $29.64/hr · Casual: $37.05/hr

Level 9Electrician

Base rate: $29.56/hr · Casual: $36.95/hr

Level 10Leading driller

Base rate: $29.35/hr · Casual: $36.69/hr

Level 11Second engineer

Base rate: $28.70/hr · Casual: $35.88/hr

Level 12Second operator

Base rate: $28.70/hr · Casual: $35.88/hr

Level 13Leading hand (reclamation)

Base rate: $28.70/hr · Casual: $35.88/hr

Level 14Driller

Base rate: $27.93/hr · Casual: $34.91/hr

Level 15Third engineer

Base rate: $27.43/hr · Casual: $34.29/hr

Level 16Dredgehand

Base rate: $26.99/hr · Casual: $33.74/hr

Level 17Greaser

Base rate: $26.99/hr · Casual: $33.74/hr

Level 18Assistant driller

Base rate: $26.99/hr · Casual: $33.74/hr

Level 19Crew attendant

Base rate: $26.99/hr · Casual: $33.74/hr

Other Dredge Not Fully Operational

Level 1Trailer master

Base rate: $34.04/hr · Casual: $42.55/hr

Level 2Chief engineer

Base rate: $34.04/hr · Casual: $42.55/hr

Level 3Trailer shift master

Base rate: $33.09/hr · Casual: $41.36/hr

Level 4Tug master (W.H. Reliance or equivalent)

Base rate: $33.09/hr · Casual: $41.36/hr

Level 5First engineer

Base rate: $33.09/hr · Casual: $41.36/hr

Level 6Electrical engineer (Humber River or equivalent)

Base rate: $33.09/hr · Casual: $41.36/hr

Level 7Trailer mate

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 8Tug master

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 9Tug engineer

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 10Second engineer

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 11Electrical engineer

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 12Pump operator

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 13Welder

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 14Deckhand/welder

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 15Dredgehand/welder

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 16Bosun/driller

Base rate: $30.43/hr · Casual: $38.04/hr

Level 17Launch driver

Base rate: $29.48/hr · Casual: $36.85/hr

Level 18Assistant pump operator

Base rate: $28.90/hr · Casual: $36.13/hr

Level 19Driller

Base rate: $28.90/hr · Casual: $36.13/hr

Level 20Deckhand/driller

Base rate: $28.90/hr · Casual: $36.13/hr

Level 21Bosun

Base rate: $28.90/hr · Casual: $36.13/hr

Level 22Chief cook

Base rate: $28.90/hr · Casual: $36.13/hr

Level 23Deckhand

Base rate: $28.19/hr · Casual: $35.24/hr

Level 24Assistant driller

Base rate: $28.19/hr · Casual: $35.24/hr

Level 25Able seaman

Base rate: $28.19/hr · Casual: $35.24/hr

Level 26Dredgehand

Base rate: $28.19/hr · Casual: $35.24/hr

Level 27Greaser

Base rate: $28.19/hr · Casual: $35.24/hr

Level 28Firefighter

Base rate: $28.19/hr · Casual: $35.24/hr

Level 29Motorman

Base rate: $28.19/hr · Casual: $35.24/hr

Level 30Crew attendant

Base rate: $28.19/hr · Casual: $35.24/hr

Level 31Second cook

Base rate: $28.19/hr · Casual: $35.24/hr

See also: Pay rates by classification | Am I being underpaid?

Source: Classification levels are defined in the Dredging Industry Award (MA000085), published by the Fair Work Commission.

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