Which Award Am I Under?

Which modern award covers a job depends on the industry the business operates in and the kind of work being done. Most Australian employees are covered by one of the modern awards.

Modern awards work in two main ways. Many are industry awards: they cover a whole business in a given sector, such as hospitality, retail, or building and construction, and most staff in that business fall under the one award. Others are occupation awards: they follow a particular kind of work wherever it is done, such as clerical or professional roles across many different industries. To find the right award, start with the main activity of the employer, then look at the actual duties of the role.

Coverage is broad. The great majority of employees in Australia are covered by a modern award, unless they are on a registered enterprise agreement or fall into a small group of award-free roles, which are often higher-paid managerial or professional positions. AwardScale lists 25 of the most common awards, together covering 422 classifications, so a great many everyday jobs can be matched here directly.

When more than one award looks possible, the classification descriptions are the tie-breaker. Each award sets out classifications with short descriptions of the duties and the skill or qualification level at each pay point, and the one that best matches the real work usually settles both the award and the pay level. A job title on its own is not enough, since the same title can sit under different classifications, and two people with the same title can be on different rates.

It helps to separate the two questions. First, which award covers the work; second, which classification within that award fits the role. The first is about the business and the broad type of job, the second is about the specific duties and experience. Getting both right is what gives an accurate minimum rate, which is why AwardScale lists the classifications under each award rather than a single figure.

When it is still unclear, the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes tools and an official pay guide that confirm award coverage and the current minimums, and it is the place to check an unusual or borderline case. It is also worth checking whether the workplace has a registered enterprise agreement, since an agreement can apply in place of an award. AwardScale is a general reference to help you find the likely award and its published rates, not a ruling on coverage.

Browse awards by industry

Rates current as of 1 July 2026. Source: Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database. Last checked 17 July 2026.

General information only — not legal, industrial or financial advice. These are the published minimum rates for information. Your modern award or enterprise agreement prevails if there is any inconsistency. Check the official source above or the Fair Work Ombudsman for your situation.