Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award penalty rates 2026
Saturday, Sunday, public holiday and evening rates for every classification in the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award (MA000026), from 1 July 2026.
Higher rates generally apply to shift work, weekend work on Saturdays and Sundays, public holidays, and overtime worked beyond the ordinary hours.
Full-time and part-time penalty rates
| Classification | Saturday(agreed ordinary hours) | Sunday(agreed ordinary hours) | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic arts employee level 1 | $51.48 | $51.48 | $64.35 |
| Graphic arts employee level 2 | $52.88 | $52.88 | $66.10 |
| Graphic arts employee level 3 | $54.16 | $54.16 | $67.70 |
| Certificate II — level 4 | $55.94 | $55.94 | $69.93 |
| Trade Certificate/ Certificate III — level 5 | $58.90 | $58.90 | $73.63 |
| Graphic arts employee level 6 | $60.76 | $60.76 | $75.95 |
| Graphic arts employee level 7 | $62.60 | $62.60 | $78.25 |
| Certificate IV (except as set out in clause 17.3) — level 8 | $64.26 | $64.26 | $80.33 |
Casual penalty rates
Casual figures include the casual loading.
| Classification | Saturday(agreed ordinary hours, on the casual rate) | Sunday(agreed ordinary hours, on the casual rate) | Public holiday(on the casual rate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic arts employee level 1 | $64.36 | $64.36 | $80.45 |
| Graphic arts employee level 2 | $66.10 | $66.10 | $82.63 |
| Graphic arts employee level 3 | $67.70 | $67.70 | $84.63 |
| Certificate II — level 4 | $69.92 | $69.92 | $87.40 |
| Trade Certificate/ Certificate III — level 5 | $73.62 | $73.62 | $92.03 |
| Graphic arts employee level 6 | $75.96 | $75.96 | $94.95 |
| Graphic arts employee level 7 | $78.26 | $78.26 | $97.83 |
| Certificate IV (except as set out in clause 17.3) — level 8 | $80.32 | $80.32 | $100.40 |
Where these rates come from
The pay database carries no weekend or public holiday rows for the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award. The rates above apply the percentages in the award (consolidated to 1 July 2026) to each classification’s minimum hourly rate, rounded to the cent, and every figure matches the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide.
- Full-time and part-time: Saturday (agreed ordinary hours), 200% (clause 13.3(e)(iii))
- Full-time and part-time: Sunday (agreed ordinary hours), 200% (clause 13.3(e)(iii))
- Full-time and part-time: Public holiday, 250% (clause 36.3)
- Casual: Ordinary hours (25% casual loading), 125% (clause 11.1(a))
- Casual: Saturday (agreed ordinary hours, on the casual rate), 200% (clause 13.3(e)(iii), 11.1(b))
- Casual: Sunday (agreed ordinary hours, on the casual rate), 200% (clause 13.3(e)(iii), 11.1(b))
- Casual: Public holiday (on the casual rate), 250% (clause 36.3, 11.1(b))
Rates are for day workers outside daily newspaper offices. Weekend rates apply only where ordinary hours on a Saturday or Sunday have been agreed under clause 13.3(e)(ii); other weekend work is overtime (clause 28.3). The casual loading forms part of the casual all-purpose rate (11.1(b)), so casual weekend and public holiday percentages apply to the casual rate.
How the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award compares
| 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.
What one shift pays
| Shift | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday (7.6 hours) | $195.62 | $244.57 |
| Saturday (7.6 hours) | $391.25 | $489.14 |
| Sunday (7.6 hours) | $391.25 | $489.14 |
| Public holiday (7.6 hours) | $489.06 | $611.42 |
A full-time saturday shift pays $391.25, $195.63 more than the same shift on a weekday.
A full-time sunday shift pays $391.25, $195.63 more than the same shift on a weekday.
A full-time public holiday shift pays $489.06, $293.44 more than the same shift on a weekday.
Work out a shift
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.