Aquaculture Industry Award

The Aquaculture Industry Award (MA000114) is a modern award that sets minimum pay and conditions for the employees and employers within its coverage under the Fair Work system. Coverage is determined by the work performed and the industry, not job titles. To confirm whether it applies to your business and roles, check the coverage clause of the Aquaculture Industry Award on the Fair Work website.

Minimum rates under the Aquaculture Industry Award are set by classification level, based on the duties, skills and responsibility of each role. They are reviewed by the Fair Work Commission every year and rise from the first full pay period on or after 1 July — the 2026 Annual Wage Review lifted modern award minimum wages by 4.75%. Because the exact dollar figure changes each year, confirm the current rate for the classification on the Fair Work Pay Calculator.

Most modern awards, including the Aquaculture Industry Award, set overtime and penalty rates for work outside ordinary hours — commonly weekends, public holidays and overtime — and many include allowances and a casual loading (commonly 25%). The exact percentages depend on the classification and employment type and can change at the annual review, so confirm the current figures for your situation on the Fair Work Pay Calculator.

Rates under the Aquaculture Industry Award change at the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review, taking effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year. The 2026 review increased modern award minimum wages by 4.75%. Allowances are also reviewed annually, so re-check both rates and allowances each July rather than relying on last year's figures.

You can pay an above-award salary, but the employee must be better off overall than under the Aquaculture Industry Award — the "better off overall" test means the salary has to cover what they would earn including overtime, penalties, loadings and allowances. Keep records reconciling the salary against the award and review it at each 1 July increase. Check the award's terms on the Fair Work website.

You generally have to back-pay the full shortfall, and the Fair Work Ombudsman can investigate, issue compliance notices and pursue penalties, with larger fines for serious or deliberate breaches. Underpayments under the Aquaculture Industry Award commonly stem from misclassification or missed penalties and allowances rather than intent. Accurate records and correct classification are the best protection, and any error should be rectified promptly.

Classify each employee correctly, apply the right minimum rate, penalties, overtime and allowances, update rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July, and keep accurate time-and-wages records and payslips. The mechanics change every year, which is where errors creep in. Valont's People Hub runs award-compliant payroll, including under the Aquaculture Industry Award, so classifications, rates and annual increases are handled for you.