Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award pay rates 2026
Minimum rates for the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award (MA000026) from 1 July 2026: 8 classifications on 8 distinct hourly rates, with casual and weekend rates.
This page sets out the published minimum pay rates under the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award. You will find the minimum rate for each classification level, along with casual rates and the penalty rates that apply to shift, weekend and public holiday work.
The Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award covers the printing and publishing industry. It applies to commercial and digital printers, prepress and platemaking studios, bindery and finishing operations, packaging and label printers, and publishing houses. The workforce it covers includes press operators and machinists, prepress and graphic reproduction staff, binders and finishing hands, and the apprentices working towards a trade qualification. Classification levels step up in line with formal qualifications, from entry roles through certificate-based trade levels to higher technical grades, so the award reflects both the machine-room trades and the design and prepress side of producing printed work.
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly | Annual | Casual/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic arts employee level 1 | $25.74 | $978.10 | $50,998 | $32.18 |
| Graphic arts employee level 2 | $26.44 | $1,004.90 | $52,395 | $33.05 |
| Graphic arts employee level 3 | $27.08 | $1,029.10 | $53,657 | $33.85 |
| Certificate II — level 4 | $27.97 | $1,062.90 | $55,420 | $34.96 |
| Trade Certificate/ Certificate III — level 5 | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | $36.81 |
| Graphic arts employee level 6 | $30.38 | $1,154.30 | $60,185 | $37.98 |
| Graphic arts employee level 7 | $31.30 | $1,189.40 | $62,015 | $39.13 |
| Certificate IV (except as set out in clause 17.3) — level 8 | $32.13 | $1,221.10 | $63,668 | $40.16 |
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award run from $25.74 an hour (Graphic arts employee level 1) to $32.13 (Certificate IV (except as set out in clause 17.3) — level 8), a spread of $6.39 an hour or 24.8%, $243.00 a week full-time.
The award’s 8 classifications in this dataset share 8 distinct hourly rates.
A casual Graphic arts employee level 1 is paid $32.18 an hour, 25% above the full-time hourly rate, in place of paid leave.
What changed on 1 July 2026
For the entry classification, Graphic arts employee level 1:
The hourly rate rose $1.46 (6%) from $24.28 on 30 June 2026 to $25.74, and the full-time weekly rate rose $55.40.
Penalty rates
| Day | Graphic arts | Median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 200% | 150% | 1 of 19 |
| Sunday | 200% | 187.5% | 1 of 20 |
| Public holiday | 250% | 250% | 1 of 22 |
The Saturday rate of 200% is higher than the median of 150% across the 19 awards with a Saturday rate for their entry classification, and ranks 1st.
The Sunday rate of 200% is higher than the median of 187.5% across the 20 awards with a Sunday rate for their entry classification, and ranks 1st.
Every Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award penalty rate, by classification
Compared with related awards
| Award | Entry classification | Hourly | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award | Manufacturing grade C14 / V1 | $25.74 | 200% |
Allowances
The pay database lists 6 wage-related allowances and 1 expense-related allowance for this award. All-purpose allowances count towards penalty rates, overtime and leave.
| Allowance | Amount | Paid | All-purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior apprentice proficiency payments—for the course requirement passed at that standard | $9.62 | per week | no |
| Junior apprentice proficiency payments—for the second course requirement passed at that standard—instead of amount in clause 19.3(a)(i) | $19.25 | per week | no |
| Junior apprentice proficiency payments—for the third course requirement passed at that standard—instead of amount in clause 19.3(a)(ii) | $28.87 | per week | no |
| Visual display terminal allowance | $55.96 | per week | yes |
| Inserting allowance | $33.57 | per week | yes |
| First aid allowance | $22.72 | per week | no |
| Meal allowance | $19.79 | per occasion | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award 2020 (MA000026), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.