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🐑 NSW · Pastoral Award · Updated 2026

Shearer Salary,
New South Wales

Live New South Wales pay rates for shearers, sourced directly from the Fair Work Pastoral Award (MA000035). Updated for the 2025–2026 financial year.

$27.80
Per hour (base)
$34.75
Casual loading
$1056.40
38-hr week
$54k
Indicative yearly
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What does a shearer earn in New South Wales?

As of 1 July 2025, the base hourly rate for shearers working under the Pastoral Award (MA000035) classification "Farm Hand Level 4" is $27.80/hr in New South Wales. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top.

$27.80/hr
Base ordinary hours
Mon–Fri ordinary daytime hours under the farm hand level 4 classification.
$34.75/hr
Casual rate (incl. 25% loading)
Most seasonal farm work in New South Wales is engaged on a casual basis with a 25% loading in lieu of leave.
$41.70/hr
Saturday penalty
Saturday ordinary hours attract a 50% penalty under most agricultural awards.
$55.60/hr
Sunday / public holiday
Sundays attract a 100% loading. Public holidays often double-and-a-half.
Piece-rate note: Most shearers are paid per 100 sheep. Workers on piece rates must average at least 15% above the minimum hourly under Fair Work rules.

Compare across Australian states

Hourly rates are largely standardised by the federal Modern Award, but seasonal demand and remoteness allowances cause real-world variation between states.

StateHourly baseWeekly (38hr)
Victoria $27.80/hr $1056.40/wk
New South Wales This page $27.80/hr $1056.40/wk
Queensland $28.36/hr $1077.53/wk
South Australia $27.24/hr $1035.27/wk
Western Australia $29.19/hr $1109.22/wk
Tasmania $26.69/hr $1014.14/wk

Rates shown are estimates based on the published Modern Award + per-state demand multipliers. Always confirm pay against the latest Fair Work Ombudsman figures before signing.

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About this rate

Modern Award: Pastoral Award (MA000035)
Classification: Farm Hand Level 4
Effective from: 1 July 2025 (next review July 2026)
Source: Fair Work Commission — National Wage Decision 2025

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