Rigger salary: minimum rates under the Building and Construction Award
The minimum hourly rate for a construction rigger under the Building and Construction General On-site Award is $31.31 (Level 5), with higher rates for higher classifications.
What is a rigger salary?
A rigger salary in Australia depends on the award or agreement that covers the job. Most construction riggers are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates for different skill levels. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the full award, including classification definitions and allowances. If no award applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) is the legal floor.
Legal minimum under the award
The Building and Construction General On-site Award has nine classification levels. A qualified construction rigger is typically classified at Level 5 (CW/ECW 5). The minimum weekly rate for Level 5 is $1,189.60, which works out to $31.31 per hour for a 38-hour week. More experienced or specialised riggers may be classified at Level 6 ($32.14/h), Level 7 ($33.06/h), Level 8 ($33.86/h), or Level 9 ($34.46/h). These rates include the industry allowance but do not include other allowances such as travel, height work, or dirty work. The award also requires employers to pay superannuation on top of ordinary time earnings at the current rate of 12%.
How to check your rate
To see if your rigger salary meets the legal minimum, compare your ordinary hourly rate (before overtime, penalties, or allowances) to the award rate for your classification. If you are not sure which level applies, ask your employer or check the classification definitions in Schedule A of the award. If you are award-free (for example, working in a state system or in a role not covered by the award), the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. Note that junior employees, apprentices, and trainees may be paid less under specific award provisions.
Super and other entitlements
Superannuation is an employer payment on top of your ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. So if your base rate is $31.31 per hour, your employer must contribute an extra $3.76 per hour into your super fund. Casual employees also receive a 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $39.14 per hour for Level 5. Remember that award rates are minimums; your employer can always pay more.
When a higher rate applies
A modern award or enterprise agreement can set a higher rate than the award minimum. If you work under an enterprise agreement, check that agreement for your specific rate. Individual contracts can also offer more, but they cannot undercut the award or the national minimum wage. If you are unsure which instrument covers you, the Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice.
No official median earnings
Jobs and Skills Australia does not publish median weekly earnings for construction riggers at the 6-digit ANZSCO level. The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) provides medians for broader groups like Structural Steel Construction Workers, but not specifically for riggers. Therefore, the best benchmark for a rigger salary is the award rate for your classification.
Practical check
If you are offered a rigger job, ask for the classification level and the ordinary hourly rate. Compare it to the award table. For example, a Level 5 rate of $31.31 per hour is the minimum; anything less is unlawful. Add 12% super to see the total employer cost. For more details on how minimum wages work, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.
For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.
Questions people ask next
What is the minimum rigger salary under the Building and Construction Award?
The minimum hourly rate for a Level 5 construction rigger is $31.31 per hour, or $1,189.60 per week. Higher levels (up to Level 9 at $34.46/h) apply for more skilled work. These rates include the industry allowance but not other allowances like travel or height work.
How do I know which classification level applies to my rigger job?
The award classifies riggers under the Construction Worker/Engineering Construction Worker levels. Level 5 typically covers a qualified rigger. Check Schedule A of the award or ask your employer. If you are not covered by the award, the national minimum wage of $26.44/h applies.
Does the rigger salary include superannuation?
No. Super guarantee is paid on top of your ordinary time earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026). For example, on a $31.31/h rate, your employer must contribute an extra $3.76/h into your super fund.
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