On-site Award 2020 — free pay calculator | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the minimum pay rates under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020?

  From 1 July 2025, minimum rates start at AUD $30.16/hr for CW/ECW Grade 1 (general labourer) and reach AUD $38.48/hr for Grade 9 (advanced supervisor). An industry allowance of approximately $2.87/hr also applies to all on-site workers. Rates were increased by 3.5% following the 2025 FWC Annual Wage Review.

• How much redundancy pay am I entitled to under the Building and Construction General On-site Award?

  The NES (Fair Work Act 2009, Schedule 4 s.119) provides: 4 weeks for 1 year of service, scaling to 16 weeks for 9 years, then capped at 12 weeks for 10+ years. The BCGOS Award Clause 41 also provides a project-based redundancy scheme capping at 8 weeks. Workers receive whichever entitlement is higher. Small businesses with fewer than 15 employees may be exempt from NES redundancy pay.

• How many days annual leave do construction workers get under this award?

  Full-time construction workers are entitled to 4 weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave under the NES (Fair Work Act 2009 s.87). Shiftworkers under the BCGOS Award are entitled to 5 weeks. Annual leave loading of 17.5% applies to the base rate during annual leave (Clause 34).

• What is the notice period for construction workers under the Building and Construction General On-site Award?

  Daily hire workers (common in construction) are entitled to 1 day's notice under BCGOS Award Clause 25. Weekly hire workers receive notice under Fair Work Act 2009 s.117: 1 week for less than 1 year, 2 weeks for 1-3 years, 3 weeks for 3-5 years, and 4 weeks for 5+ years. Employees over 45 with 2+ years of service receive an additional 1 week.

• How much superannuation does my employer pay for construction workers?

  From 1 July 2025, the Superannuation Guarantee rate is 12.0% of ordinary time earnings. This is paid on top of wages. Cbus Super is the default industry fund for construction workers, but you can choose your own complying fund (Fair Work Act s.149A). The concessional contributions cap is $30,000/yr for 2025-26.

• Does the Building and Construction General On-site Award provide casual loading?

  Yes. Casual workers receive a 25% loading on top of the base pay rate (NES s.67B). A casual Grade 1 worker at $30.16/hr receives an effective rate of $37.70/hr. Casuals do not accrue annual leave, personal/carer's leave, or redundancy pay.

• What is the Long Service Leave entitlement for construction workers in Australia?

  LSL entitlements are state-specific. VIC and ACT: 7 years qualifying period, 6.067 weeks. NSW, QLD, WA and TAS: 10 years, 8.667 weeks. SA and NT: 10 years, 13 weeks. Most states have a portable Construction Industry LSL scheme (Incolink in VIC/TAS, QLeave in QLD, Mates in Construction in NSW) where entitlements are portable between construction employers.

• What is the industry allowance under the Building and Construction General On-site Award?

  BCGOS Award Clause 37 provides an industry allowance of approximately $2.87/hr for all on-site workers. A fares and travel allowance of approximately $17.20/day (Clause 40) also applies. These are paid in addition to the base classification rate.