Local Government Industry Award 2020 — free pay & entitlements calculator 2026 | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the current pay rates under the Local Government Industry Award 2020?

  Pay rates under the Local Government Industry Award 2020 (MA000112) range from AUD $25.88/hour (Level 1) to AUD $46.87/hour (Level 11) as of 1 July 2025, following the 2024-25 Annual Wage Review. Standard full-time ordinary hours are 38 per week. Weekly rates range from AUD $983.40 (Level 1) to AUD $1,781.00 (Level 11).

• How much redundancy pay am I entitled to under the Local Government Industry Award 2020?

  The Local Government Industry Award 2020 incorporates the NES genuine redundancy scale (Fair Work Act 2009, Sch 4, s.119). There is no award-specific enhancement above the statutory minimum. Under the NES, redundancy pay ranges from 4 weeks' pay (after 1 year of service) to a maximum of 16 weeks (after 9 years), with a capped 12 weeks for 10 or more years. Small business employers with fewer than 15 employees are generally exempt from paying NES redundancy pay.

• How many days annual leave do local government workers get?

  Under the NES and the Local Government Industry Award 2020, full-time employees are entitled to 4 weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave per year. Shiftworkers who are regularly rostered to work on Sundays and public holidays are entitled to 5 weeks per year. Part-time employees receive leave on a pro-rata basis. Annual leave loading of 17.5% of the minimum weekly rate is also payable under the award (clause 23.4).

• What is the notice period under the Local Government Industry Award 2020?

  The Local Government Industry Award 2020 applies the NES minimum notice scale (Fair Work Act 2009, s.117). Employees with less than 1 year of service receive 1 week's notice; 1 to 3 years: 2 weeks; 3 to 5 years: 3 weeks; 5 years or more: 4 weeks. Employees aged 45 or over with 2 or more years of service are entitled to an additional 1 week's notice supplement. The award does not provide for a longer notice period above this statutory minimum.

• How much superannuation does my employer have to pay?

  Employers must contribute at least 12% of your ordinary time earnings to superannuation from 1 July 2025, in line with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. The Local Government Industry Award 2020 (clause 20.2) requires contributions at the SG rate. You have the right to choose your own complying superannuation fund under Fair Work Act 2009, s.149A. Default funds named in the award include Vision Super, Aware Super and AustralianSuper.

• Does the Local Government Industry Award 2020 apply to all local government workers?

  No. The Local Government Industry Award 2020 is a federal instrument that only applies to employers in the national Fair Work system. Local government employees in New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia are generally covered by their respective state industrial instruments, not this federal award. The award covers most local government workers in Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory, and also covers labour-on-hire employers and group training organisations in the sector.

• What is the casual loading under the Local Government Industry Award 2020?

  Casual employees under the Local Government Industry Award 2020 receive a 25% casual loading on top of their base hourly rate, in accordance with NES s.67B (effective from 26 August 2022). This loading compensates for the absence of paid leave entitlements. The minimum engagement period for casual employees is 2 consecutive hours per engagement. Overtime and penalty rates for casual employees are calculated on the base rate before applying the casual loading.

• What are the penalty rates on weekends and public holidays under the Local Government Industry Award 2020?

  Under the Local Government Industry Award 2020, Saturday work attracts 150% of the ordinary hourly rate and Sunday work attracts 175%. Work on public holidays is paid at 250%. Overtime rates are 150% for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter. Note that employees at recreation centres and some community service facilities may work Saturday and Sunday between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm at ordinary rates, with time-off-in-lieu arrangements in place instead.