Changes to entry-level classifications in awards

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Published 29 November 2024

Some awards will have new definitions and minimum pay rates for entry-level classifications from 2025.

On this page:

What's changing

There are key changes happening for some awards, including:

The changes apply from:

  • 1 January 2025 for most awards
  • 1 April 2025 for the Horticulture Award and Pastoral Award.

The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) has made changes to these awards as part of its Review of C14 and C13 rates in modern awards. The Commission is the national workplace relations tribunal. They review awards to ensure they provide a fair and relevant minimum safety net of terms and conditions.

Find out if your award is affected at List of affected awards. Make sure you also check whether the changes take effect from 1 January or 1 April 2025 for you.

We’ve updated our Pay and Conditions Tool and pay guides with the new rates.

Introductory classifications can only apply for a limited time

Some awards currently contain pay rates that are less than the National Minimum Wage. These are usually pay rates that apply to an introductory classification or entry-level job.

Introductory classifications are called different names including ‘C14’ or ‘introductory’ and sometimes ‘Level 1’. These classifications typically only apply on a temporary basis.

From 1 January or 1 April 2025, introductory classifications in affected awards can only apply for a limited time. 

Introductory classifications apply to the first stage of a job. The first stage of a job includes:

  • an initial induction period
  • time spent undertaking training, or
  • enough time to gain basic skills and experience required for the job.

All employment classifications that aren’t introductory classifications must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage.

The new maximum time limit for introductory level classifications varies between awards but is never longer than 6 months.

Some awards allow an employee to progress to the next classification before they’ve reached the maximum time limit for the introductory classification. This may be based on the employee demonstrating their competency or achieving a required qualification. Employees will generally move to a higher classification based on what happens first.

Example: Entry-level classification in Manufacturing Award

Zac is a full-time employee that has just started work at a metal fabrication company.

Zac is covered by the Manufacturing Award. He comes to the role without any industry experience.

Because he has no prior experience Zac is classified as a Level C14, which is the entry-level classification under the Manufacturing Award. He is expected to perform basic tasks under supervision while undertaking training and gaining experience.

During his induction, Zac’s manager, Peter, explains to him the process for progression to the next classification called Level C13. Peter tells Zac that he will progress to Level C13 after 3 months or earlier if he can demonstrate the skills required for the job.

Zac continues with his training. He’s a quick learner and after 2 months Peter determines that he’s demonstrated all the required skills for the job. Zac progresses to a Level C13 at this time and remains at this level in an ongoing capacity.

New rules and minimum pay for introductory rates

Minimum pay rates for some employees under affected awards may go up on the first full pay period on or after:

  • 1 January 2025
  • 1 April 2025 for employees under the Horticulture Award and Pastoral Award.

This is because employees who have been employed at their award introductory level for more than the maximum period on 1 January or 1 April 2025 may move to the next classification.

Any changes to an existing employee’s classification or expected progression to another classification should be discussed with the employee before 1 January or 1 April 2025.

Example: Level 1 Classification in Pest Control Award

Sabrina recently started working at a pest control company covered by the Pest Control Award. She has no previous experience in pest control.

The entry-level classification under the award is Level 1. As a Level 1 employee, Sabrina assists senior technicians with basic tasks like setting up equipment and preparing treatment areas.

Sabrina's manager, Jordan, will provide training on:

  • safety procedures
  • equipment handling
  • customer interaction.

Over time, Sabrina becomes more familiar with the daily operations and begins to work more independently.

After 6 months, Sabrina must move from level 1 to level 2 in the Pest Control Award.

Prepare for the changes

We’ve updated our Pay and Conditions Tool and pay guides with the new minimum rates.

Tip: How to check your award now

Employers and employees are encouraged to check their award and see if they’re affected.

If you know your award and want to read the changes before they start, you can read the final determination. A final determination is a formal ruling by the Commission that sets out what has to happen, by law, after a decision is made.

Go to Review of C14 and C13 rates in modern awards and select ‘Determinations’. You’ll be able to access the final determination for your award, such as the Manufacturing Award.

Before 1 January 2025, we recommend you:

List of affected awards and pay guides

From 2025, awards will include updated entry-level classifications. The changes will vary between awards.

Awards with new introductory level rules

Below are awards that have new rules for introductory classifications from 1 January 2025 or 1 April 2025:

1 January 2025

  • Airline Ground Staff Award
  • Amusement Award
  • Animal and Veterinary Services Award
  • Australian Government Award
  • Dry Cleaning and Laundry Award
  • Fitness Award
  • Food and Beverage Manufacturing Award
  • Funeral Award
  • Graphic Arts and Printing Award
  • Joinery Award
  • Live Performance Award
  • Manufacturing Award
  • Marine Tourism and Charter Vessels Award
  • Meat Award
  • Pest Control Award
  • Port Authorities Award
  • Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award
  • Timber Award
  • Travelling Shows Award
  • Vehicle Award

1 April 2025

  • Horticulture Award

Awards with new introductory level rules and minimum pay rates

Below is a list of awards that have changes from 1 January 2025 or 1 April 2025 to:

  • introductory level classifications
  • minimum pay rates for some levels.

The new pay guides for these awards are also available below.

Reminder: Pay rates apply from 2025

The minimum pay rates in these pay guides apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2025 or 1 April 2025.

1 January 2025

1 April 2025

Other enterprise and public sector awards changing from 1 January 2025

Below is a list of enterprise awards and public sector awards that are affected:

  • Australia Post Enterprise Award
  • Australian Capital Territory Public Sector Enterprise Award
  • Christmas Island Administration Enterprise Award
  • Metropolitan Newspapers (South Australia and Tasmania) Printing Award
  • Northern Territory Public Sector Enterprise Award 
  • Note Printing Australia Award
  • Nurses and Midwives (Victoria) State Reference Public Sector Award
  • Printing Industry – Herald & Weekly Times – Production Award
  • Victorian Local Government (Early Childhood Education Employees) Award
  • Victorian State Government Agencies Award

Enterprise agreements

Some employers and employees may be covered by an enterprise agreement and not an affected award.

If an employee is covered by an enterprise agreement and paid introductory rates, they will still be required to be paid in line with the new classification rate under the award that would otherwise apply to them. This change will apply from 1 January or 1 April 2025.

The industry the enterprise agreement sits in will determine when this rule applies from:

  • for industries listed above (except for horticulture and pastoral) this will apply from 1 January 2025
  • for the horticulture and pastoral industries, this will apply from 1 April 2025.

Employers should check their enterprise agreement and applicable award to ensure that any introductory rates meet at least the minimum base rates in their relevant award. Payroll systems should be updated accordingly.

Employers can use our Pay and Conditions Tool to help determine what award applies and to calculate these new rates. Award pay guides are also available.

Enterprise agreements can be found from the Commission database: Find an agreement.

Keep up to date

To stay up to date and be notified with updates that are relevant to you, subscribe to our email updates. It only takes a few moments to sign up and will help you stay in the loop with changes to workplace laws.

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Tools and resources

Fair Work Commission resources

Learn more about the changes on the Commission's Review of certain C14 rates in modern awards page. You can also access final determinations for your award and other related documents.

Pay rates

Our Pay and Conditions Tool has been updated with the new introductory rates and classifications. You can also access pay guides that include the 1 January 2025 rates.

Awards

Not sure of your award? Use our 3-step tool to help you determine your award coverage.

If you want help understanding award classifications, use our Award classifications guide. It includes examples and practical tips.