PayCheckR / Modern awards / MA000006
These are the current minimum pay rates under the Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award 2020 (MA000006), as published by the Fair Work Commission. They set the least an employer can pay someone the award covers. A contract or agreement can pay more, but not less.
Rates last updated 28 April 2026.
Full-time pay runs from $1,266.60 per week ($33.33 per hour) at the entry level up to $2,915.65 per week at the top, across 25 classifications. A few examples:
| Classification | Weekly (full-time) | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Level A Step 1 | $1,266.60 | $33.33 |
| Level A Step 2 | $1,317.37 | $34.67 |
| Level A Step 3 | $1,368.08 | $36.00 |
The rate for every classification, plus casual rates, is in the pay checker below.
The exact penalty multipliers and allowance amounts are applied when you check your pay.
Enter your hours and what you were paid, and we'll compare it against these rates, including penalties and overtime. It takes a couple of minutes and it's free.
Check my payRates are sourced from Fair Work Commission data and shown as a guide. They can change, and your circumstances may differ. Verify against your payslip and the official instrument before acting. For advice, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 or a registered employment lawyer.