If your business provides architectural services and employs architecture students, graduates of architecture, or registered architects, you’ll need to understand and comply with the Architects Award 2020 [MA000079].
From 1 July 2025, the Fair Work Commission increased modern award minimum wages by 3.5%. That annual wage review affects minimum hourly rates under the Architects Award and flows through to overtime calculations and other rate-based entitlements.
Award coverage in architecture depends on the work an employee actually performs, not their job title. Some roles in an architecture practice, such as administrative staff or draughtspersons, may be covered by different awards. Misclassifying employees, assuming a flat salary absorbs overtime, or overlooking annual leave loading can quickly lead to underpayment.
In this guide, we explain who the Architects Award covers, how to classify employees correctly, and what pay, overtime, allowance, and leave rules apply.
The Architects Award: A Quick Summary for Busy Managers
Here’s what employers need to know about the Architects Award in Australia:
- The Architects Award, officially called the Architects Award 2020 [MA000079] and informally the Fair Work Architects Award, is a set of regulations that establishes employment standards in the architecture industry in Australia.
- To make sure your business is compliant, check:
- Award coverage: Which employees are covered by the Architects Award. For instance, employers might assume that it covers draughtspersons, but those individuals would actually be covered by the Manufacturing Award.
- Employee type: The different rates for different types of employees, such as full-time, part-time, and casual.
- Employee classification: The category that determines pay rates and ranges from Level 1 (entry-level) to Level 2(b) (Registered Architects).
- Hours and timing of work: How to correctly compensate for ordinary and non-ordinary hours of work, including overtime and public holidays.
- The Architects Award doesn’t cover academic or training staff, even if they’re engaged in architectural work.
- The biggest hurdle is often assessing coverage. You might imagine a designer to be covered, for example, but unless they’re also a registered architect, they will likely be covered by another award.
Award Basics
The Architects Award covers most employees in the architecture industry. That means general coverage for entry-level graduates and high-level Registered Architects alike.
The Award provides a detailed breakdown of the minimum employment conditions and pay rates for every employee covered by the Award. This includes minimum hourly pay rates, break rules, overtime penalties, allowances, and more.
Did You Know?
The Architects Award 2020 works in conjunction with the National Employment Standards (NES). These are a more general set of employment standards for all employees, regardless of which Modern Award they fall under. The NES covers aspects like leave entitlements, too.
Who is covered under the Architects Award?
The Architects Award 2020 covers three main employee types (although this list isn’t comprehensive):
- Architecture students:
- Architecture student interns
- Student architectural assistants
- CAD/BIM student assistants
- Architecture graduates:
- Graduate architects
- Architectural graduates
- Junior architectural designers
- Registered Architects:
- Architects
- Senior architects
- Project architects
Who isn’t covered under the Architects Award?
Just because someone is conducting work for an architecture company doesn’t automatically cover them under the Architects Award. Some specific workers are excluded, although they’ll still be covered by a different award.
While this list isn’t comprehensive, the following aren’t covered by the Architects Award:
- Academic staff (at the university or college level)
- Designers
- Non-architectural employees
- Draughtspersons
Coverage self-check: Does the Architects Award apply?
Here’s a handy checklist that should help you easily determine whether or not an employee is covered by the Architects Award. Consider whether:
- You operate a business that provides architectural or related professional design services. For example, an architectural practice, multidisciplinary design firm, or consultancy offering architectural design, documentation, or project delivery services.
- The employee directly performs architectural work or supports architectural services. That could cover documentation, modelling, BIM, project coordination, technical support, research, or architectural administration.
- The employee falls into one of the following groups: an architecture student (undertaking work experience or part-time work), an architecture graduate (who’s completed an accredited architectural qualification but isn’t yet registered), or a Registered Architect.
- The employee’s role is architectural in nature (and not, say, primarily engineering or surveying).
- The employee isn’t covered by a more specific Modern Award. Sometimes there’s a “better fit” for an employee, like the Engineering Award or Clerks Award, for example.
- The employee isn’t genuinely a senior executive or high-level manager. These employees are often outside of Award coverage.
- There is no enterprise agreement covering the employee. An enterprise agreement is an agreement made between a business and its employees on minimum conditions and rates. If there’s one in place, it replaces the Modern Award.
If the answer is yes to all of these, the Architects Award likely applies.
Coming up: Award dates and deadlines you need to know
There are no proposed changes taking place in 2026. However, the Fair Work Commission reviews wages every year, so look out for pay rate changes coming on 1 July 2026.
Determining Architects Award [MA000079] Requirements
The important thing for employers to remember is that Architects Award coverage isn’t determined by job title. Instead, it depends on actual duties (as well as employment type). This makes the Award more complex. But it also makes it fairer: employees get paid based on their level of skill and responsibility rather than titles.
The Architects Award separates employees into various categories. Firstly, by employee type, which determines the hours they typically work. Then, into “classifications,” which are more detailed descriptions of employee responsibilities.
Let’s take a look:
Employment types
The Architects Award covers three main employment types:
- Full-time employees: Those who work on a full-time contract of 38 hours per week or more.
- Part-time employees: Employees who work less than 38 hours per week. Note that part-time employees are entitled to the same conditions and minimum pay rates as full-time employees. However, they’re on a pro-rata basis, which means that although they have the same per-hour rates, they will probably make less overall.
- Casual employees: Workers who work irregular hours only when needed, with no guarantee of ongoing work. Casual employees get a specific hourly rate based on their experience level plus a 25% loading rate. This loading rate makes up for a lack of leave entitlements.
Classifications and levels
Someone’s employment type—whether they work as a full-time, part-time, or casual employee—doesn’t cover their level of skill and responsibility. So, the Award further separates employees into “classifications” which outline specific roles in ascending “levels” that more accurately explain what each employee actually does.
For the Architects Award, those levels are:
| Classification | Role and Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level graduates: Those who work under very close supervision and are training in architecture |
| Level 2(a) | Experienced graduates: Those who are working without detailed supervision but who might need occasional guidance |
| Level 2(b) | Registered Architects: Those who plan and conduct work without any supervision |
Note that each of these levels is also separated into further classifications (for example, Level 1 1st pay point, or Level 1 2nd pay point) when it comes to Architects Award rates. But we’ll cover those distinctions when we discuss minimum rates in the next section.
Architects Award Pay Rates and Entitlements
The following sections will break down the current pay rates and entitlements for employees covered by the Architects Award in Australia. We’ll cover minimum wages, penalty rates (including overtime rules and rates), break regulations, allowances, and leave entitlements.
Minimum base rates
| Classification | Minimum Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Level 1—Entry | $32.84 |
| Level 1—1st pay point | $34.58 |
| Level 1—2nd pay point | $36.31 |
| Level 2(a) | $37.97 |
| Level 2(b)—Entry | $37.97 |
| Level 2(b)—1st pay point | $39.14 |
| Level 2(b)—2nd pay point | $40.32 |
The above Architects Award rates apply to Graduate and Registered Architects only. Architecture students under the age of 21 have these minimum rates:
| Work Experience | Minimum Rate (Percentage of Level 1 – Entry Rate) |
|---|---|
| First 13 weeks | 35% |
| Next 13 weeks | 50% |
| Next 26 weeks | 65% |
| 2nd year | 70% |
| 3rd year | 75% |
Overtime rules and rates
Fortunately, overtime rules are relatively simple in the Architects Award compared to other Modern Awards. Employers and employees both benefit from a very straightforward set of rules:
| Employee Type | Overtime Rate |
|---|---|
| All levels—including full-time, part-time, and casual | 150% of minimum rate |
Here, “overtime” refers to any hours worked outside of ordinary rostered hours.
However, there are a few important specifications to note:
- Employers and employees can make alternative overtime arrangements at their own discretion. However, these arrangements must fulfil overtime payment obligations. They cannot be unfair to the employee. They must also be recorded in writing and documented.
- Casual employees don’t receive their standard 25% loading payment during overtime work, but they do get the 150% overtime rate.
Breaks and allowances
There is no rule or clause regarding breaks in the Architects Award. In the absence of any such clause in the Architects Award, employers should still follow the general National Employment Standards (NES) guidelines:
- Under the NES, employers must provide unpaid meal breaks and paid rest breaks when they are a term of an employee’s contract (including an enterprise agreement or award). If the award doesn’t include breaks, they may still be set by a piece of legislation, a contract, or another agreement.
- This means there’s no award-mandated unpaid meal break after a certain number of hours unless it’s written into the contract or enterprise agreement. A relevant state award or other award could also apply.
Did You Know?
There is no rule or clause about breaks in the Architects Award. Most Modern Awards specifically outline break conditions for both paid and unpaid breaks: For example, “An employee must not be required to work more than 5 hours without an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes.”
Let’s turn to allowances. Allowances are extra payments made to employees for expenses. The Fair Work Architects Award specifically outlines several such allowances employers must give:
| Employees Covered | Allowance Amount |
|---|---|
| All employees using their own vehicle for work travel | $0.98 per kilometre |
| All employees working somewhere other than their usual place of work | Reimbursement of all fares in excess of normal work commute fares |
| All employees in economy air travel (who don’t receive a meal in-flight) | $12.07 for each meal period during travel |
| All employees travelling in excess of normal travel time | Minimum rate for every hour spent travelling |
| All employees sleeping elsewhere for work purposes | All reasonable expenses |
| All employees required to relocate for work | All fares, including for employee’s family |
| All employees who require special or protective clothing | Full reimbursement |
Leave entitlements
Leave is governed by the National Employment Standards (NES). It’s largely the same across all Modern Awards. All employees are entitled to the same leave coverage. Here’s a general overview:
| Leave Type | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Annual Leave |
|
| Personal/Carer’s Leave |
|
| Compassionate Leave |
|
| Parental Leave |
|
| Community Service Leave |
|
| Family & Domestic Violence Leave |
|
| Public Holidays |
|
This gives an overview but doesn’t outline all the specific leave provisions unique to the Architects Award. For example, the Architects Award also outlines special leave provisions for students and graduates for specific study-related events.
How to Determine Architects Award Coverage
Sifting through the Architects Award and finding out exactly what an individual employee is entitled to can seem like a complex task. But it doesn’t have to be difficult. You can speed things up by following a simple process.
Check out our detailed, practical example below.
Architects Award [MA000079]: A Practical, Real-World Example
A Sydney-based architecture company is hiring Ben. Ben is a graduate architect who will be working full-time.
Firstly, let’s confirm Ben’s classification:
- He has completed an accredited architecture degree.
- He has less than 12 months’ experience.
- He works under supervision.
We should classify Ben as a Graduate of Architecture at Level 1—Entry. We now know that his minimum hourly rate for ordinary hours will be $32.84 and his minimum weekly pay will be $1247.90.
Let’s say Ben works 41 hours in one week. His ordinary hours only cover 38 of those hours, so he worked 3 overtime hours:
- Overtime rate: Overtime multiplier of 1.5 x $32.80 = $49.20
- Total overtime pay: 3 hours x $49.20 = $147.60
Common Scenarios and Compliance Tips
Even once you’ve determined an employee’s classification and minimum rate, there are still many smaller hurdles to face along the way. The Architects Award pay guide should explain everything you need to know.
However, to help make things easier, we’ve compiled some common scenarios architecture employers might face, complete with tips:
Architecture practice hires a “graduate architect” on a flat annual salary
Key checks:
- Confirm the employee is correctly classified under the Graduate of Architecture levels. Base this on experience and responsibilities, not job title.
- Ensure the salary covers minimum award pay for 38 ordinary hours plus any overtime worked.
- Check whether the salary also compensates for 17.5% annual leave loading.
Pro Tip
Perform and document a better off overall test (BOOT-style check) to determine which set of entitlements would leave the graduate architect better off.
Practice employs casual architectural staff for project spikes
Key checks:
- Confirm the employee is genuinely casual (irregular work, no firm advance commitment).
- Pay 25% casual loading for ordinary hours only.
- Track hours diligently: casuals still accrue overtime.
- Make sure casuals are offered casual conversion in line with the NES.
Graduate or student employee requests time off for exams or study
Key checks:
- Determine whether the employee qualifies as a student or graduate.
- Apply paid exam or study leave where required (see section 13.6 of the Award). Don’t forget that this is specific to the Architects Award and won’t be found in the NES guidelines.
- Distinguish this leave from annual leave or personal leave in payroll systems.
- Request reasonable notice and evidence for the time off.
Registered architect regularly works long hours to meet deadlines
Key checks:
- Identify when hours exceed 38 per week and trigger overtime.
- Check whether any time off instead of overtime (TOIL) arrangement is in writing.
- Make sure overtime isn’t being “absorbed” into salary without clear contractual terms.
- Monitor fatigue and possible violation of Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, especially where the Award is silent on breaks.
Common Employer Mistakes to Avoid
Some employers find it difficult to stay compliant with the Architects Award—not just because it’s a detailed document, but also because it changes frequently. Employers can sometimes miss small (but often significant) updates.
To make the process a little easier, we’ve created a simple, no-fuss list of common Architects Award employer mistakes, plus how to avoid them:
- Misclassifying employees: Perhaps the most common error in all Awards, many employers mistakenly classify employees by title (for example, “graduate” or “senior architect”). Always remember that classifications are based on experience and actual duties. Go through Schedule A – Classification Definitions in the Architects Award 2020 [MA000079] and carefully select the right level.
- Assuming a flat salary “covers everything”: Salaries don’t automatically cover extra entitlements like overtime penalties and allowances, so flat annual salaries are rarely sufficient. Regularly perform better off overall (BOOT-style) checks and record overtime diligently to avoid this mistake.
- Getting casual overtime wrong: Many employers forget that casual workers are also entitled to 150% overtime penalties—although they don’t receive the 25% loading rate they do in ordinary hours.
- Forgetting annual leave loading: Some employers mistakenly pay annual leave at the employee’s base rate only. Remember that the Architects Award requires 17.5% annual leave loading as well as NES annual leave pay when leave is taken.
- Failing to review arrangements: Award coverage isn’t “set and forget.” Various aspects can change: the Award itself, employee classifications, you name it. It’s your responsibility as the employer to regularly review classifications as employees progress to make sure you’re compensating them fairly in line with the Award.
Glossary
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the terms you’ll find in the Architects Award 2020.
Ordinary hours
Non-overtime hours worked that are in line with an employee’s contract or arrangement. For example, 38 hours per week for full-time employees, or up to 38 hours per week for part-time employees.
Leave loading
An extra payment employers must give employees while they’re on leave.
Enterprise agreement
An agreement made between a business and its employees that outlines agreed-upon minimum standards and rates. An enterprise agreement often supersedes any Modern Awards.
Better off overall test (BOOT)
A process businesses use to test whether employees would be better off (make more money) overall under either an enterprise agreement or the Modern Award.
Pro-rata
This means ‘in proportion’ and usually applies to part-time employees. It means they make the same per-hour as a full-time equivalent, but less overall. If the full-time employee works 38 hours a week and receives $80,000, for example, a part-time pro-rata employee working 19 hours a week would make $40,000 (exactly half).
Resources and Links
This Architects Award pay guide gives a general overview of the Architects Award in Australia. However, employers should also take the time to read through detailed resources such as:
- Architects Award [MA000079]: The Fair Work Ombudsman’s overview of who the Architects Award does and doesn’t cover.
- Architects Award 2020: The official, current, and full text of the Architects Award, containing all rates and entitlements.
- Downloadable Pay Guide: A downloadable Architects Award pay guide (PDF) from the Fair Work Commission.
- Architects Award variation (AM2023/15): The Fair Work Commission’s latest updates to the Architects Award.
FAQs
Looking for something specific? Try our FAQs. These should help answer common questions about the Architects Award 2020.
What is the Architects Award?
The Architects Award is a document that outlines minimum pay rates and other employee entitlements, like break rules and allowances, for employees in the architecture industry in Australia. The most recent version is the Architects Award 2020 [MA000079].
How much do architects get paid in Australia?
Pay varies a lot for architects in Australia. Minimum hourly rates of architects range from $32.84 (entry-level) to $40.32 (experienced Registered Architects). However, these are minimums. Pay can exceed this with special arrangements.
Who regulates the Architects Award in Australia?
The Fair Work Commission creates and regulates the Architects Award in Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman is a similar (but independent) government organisation that’s responsible for educating and promoting the Fair Work Commission’s regulations.
Does the Architects Award cover architecture students?
Yes. Provided the student is working as an employee (whether part-time or full-time) in an architecture company in Australia, and their work is covered by the Award, students are covered.