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Rate Calculator
The hourly rate your worker takes home is only part of the story. Superannuation, workers comp, payroll tax, leave accruals, and compliance costs add 30–45% on top. Use our calculator to see exactly where your money goes — or browse the published rate tables below.
Published Rate Reference
Standard indicative charge rates (excl. GST) published by Harrison Barratt Group for the 2025/26 financial year. Rates cover all major trade classifications supplied across Australia. Use the interactive calculator above to build a personalised estimate including all oncost components.
Warehouse / Entry charge rates range from $48/hr to $54/hr (excl. GST, standard day shift).
| Trade / Role | Charge Rate (ex GST) |
|---|---|
| Warehouse Admin | $48/hr |
| Forklift Op (Warehouse) | $48/hr |
| High Reach Forklift | $50/hr |
| Pick Packer | $53/hr |
| Wait Staff | $53/hr |
| Warehouse Labourer | $54/hr |
| Counterbalance Forklift | $52/hr |
General Labour charge rates range from $56/hr to $62/hr (excl. GST, standard day shift).
| Trade / Role | Charge Rate (ex GST) |
|---|---|
| General Labour | $56/hr |
| Scaffold Labourer | $58/hr |
| Scaffolding Labourer | $57/hr |
| Traffic Controller | $59/hr |
| Trade Assistant | $60/hr |
| Ticketed Labourer | $62/hr |
| Driver (MR) | $62/hr |
| HR Driver | $62/hr |
| MR Driver | $62/hr |
| Forklift Driver | $62/hr |
| RIW Labourer | $60/hr |
| Clamp Truck Operator | $60/hr |
Ticketed / Driver charge rates range from $63/hr to $68/hr (excl. GST, standard day shift).
| Trade / Role | Charge Rate (ex GST) |
|---|---|
| Roller Operator | $64/hr |
| Demolition Labourer | $63/hr |
| Landscape Labourer | $63/hr |
| Civil Labourer | $65/hr |
| Asbestos B Labourer | $65/hr |
| EWP Operator | $65/hr |
| Handyman | $65/hr |
| Dogman | $65/hr |
| Welder (Stick) | $65/hr |
| Skilled Labourer | $66/hr |
| Scaffolder (Advanced) | $66/hr |
| Moxy Operator | $66/hr |
| Dump Operator | $67/hr |
| MC Driver | $68/hr |
| Telehandler | $67/hr |
| Welder (Workshop MIG) | $65/hr |
| TIG Stainless/Aluminium | $65/hr |
Operator / Mid-Trades charge rates range from $69/hr to $75/hr (excl. GST, standard day shift).
| Trade / Role | Charge Rate (ex GST) |
|---|---|
| Painter | $69/hr |
| Roofer | $69/hr |
| Rigger | $70/hr |
| Formworker | $70/hr |
| Machine Op (Civil) | $70/hr |
| Machine Op (Demo) | $70/hr |
| Pressure Welder | $70/hr |
| Rope Access | $70/hr |
| Landscaper | $70/hr |
| Asbestos A Labourer | $71/hr |
| Operator | $72/hr |
| Hoist Operator | $72/hr |
| Scaffolder | $72/hr |
| Arborist | $72/hr |
| RIW Electrician | $75/hr |
| RIW Operator | $75/hr |
| Pipe Layer | $75/hr |
| Plumber | $75/hr |
Skilled Trades charge rates range from $76/hr to $86/hr (excl. GST, standard day shift).
| Trade / Role | Charge Rate (ex GST) |
|---|---|
| Boilermaker (Workshop) | $76/hr |
| Manitou Operator | $76/hr |
| Fabricator | $77/hr |
| Carpenter | $79/hr |
| Brick Labourer | $79/hr |
| Steel Fixer | $79/hr |
| Fencer | $80/hr |
| Driver (C to MR) | $80/hr |
| Boilermaker (Site) | $83/hr |
| Electrician | $84/hr |
| Crane Operator | $85/hr |
| Leading Hands | $86/hr |
Senior / Management charge rates range from $90/hr to $126/hr (excl. GST, standard day shift).
| Trade / Role | Charge Rate (ex GST) |
|---|---|
| Bricklayer | $90/hr |
| Site Supervisor | $95/hr |
| Project Manager | $126/hr |
Payroll tax is a state-based employer obligation that applies above an annual wages threshold; rates range from 0% (NZ) to 6.85% (ACT) and is included in all published charge rates.
| State / Territory | Payroll Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| NSW | 5.45% |
| QLD | 4.85% |
| VIC | 4.85% |
| WA | 5.5% |
| SA | 4.95% |
| TAS | 4% |
| NT | 5.5% |
| ACT | 6.85% |
| NZ | N/A |
All charge rates are per hour, exclusive of GST. Penalty rates (overtime, weekend, public holiday) apply per the relevant Modern Award and are not reflected in the standard day-shift figures above. Rates effective 1 July 2025. Contact HBG for a formal quote tailored to your specific requirements.
Common Questions
Answers to the most common questions about how labour hire charge rates are structured.
The pay rate is the hourly amount the worker takes home. The charge rate is the total amount the client pays to the labour hire agency per hour. The difference covers mandatory oncosts — superannuation (12%), workers compensation insurance (varies by trade), payroll tax (varies by state), leave accruals, and the agency's compliance and administration margin. Oncosts typically add 30–45% on top of the base pay rate.
Australian labour hire charge rates include: superannuation (12% of ordinary time earnings, legislated), workers compensation insurance (premium varies by trade classification and state — higher-risk trades like scaffolding attract higher rates), payroll tax (applies above the annual wages threshold in each state, ranging from 4% in Tasmania to 6.85% in the ACT, with no equivalent in New Zealand), annual leave and personal leave accruals, public holiday entitlements, and agency administration costs covering recruitment, compliance, licencing verification, and payroll processing.
Yes. Payroll tax rates and thresholds differ by state and territory — this is one of the primary reasons charge rates vary by location. Workers compensation premium rates also differ by state scheme. New Zealand has no payroll tax, making it distinct from all Australian jurisdictions. The interactive rate calculator on this page adjusts for each jurisdiction automatically.
Workers compensation insurance premiums are risk-rated by trade classification. Higher-risk roles such as scaffolding, crane operation, and plant operation attract higher workers compensation premiums, which flow through to the charge rate. Additionally, different Modern Awards set different minimum pay rates for different trade classifications, which affects the base pay component of the charge rate.
Penalty rates are set by the relevant Modern Award and apply to afternoon shifts (typically +15%), night shifts (+30%), Saturday work (+50%), and Sunday/public holiday work (typically +100%). These multipliers are applied to the base pay rate before oncosts are calculated, so the charge rate increases proportionally for penalty shift work.
Adjust inputs to see the cost breakdown update in real time.
Estimated Charge Rate
$52.00/hr
above base rate of $35.00/hr
Minimum charge rate of $52.00/hr applied
Even at lower base rates, regulatory compliance costs (workers compensation, superannuation, payroll tax, leave accruals, insurance, and payroll processing) create a cost floor. Below $52.00/hr, the margin becomes unsustainable after accounting for all mandatory employer obligations.
Daily Cost(8 hrs)
$416.00
Weekly Cost(38 hrs)
$1,976
Annual Cost(48 weeks)
$94,848
Estimates only. Rates shown are indicative and based on standard assumptions. Actual charge rates may vary depending on award classification, site allowances, specific insurance premiums, and other factors. Contact us for an exact quote tailored to your specific requirements.
What You’re Paying For
When you engage a labour hire worker through HBG, these are the mandatory and operational costs built into every charge rate.
The Superannuation Guarantee requires employers to contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings into the worker's nominated super fund. This is a non-negotiable statutory obligation.
Premium rates vary by trade classification and state. Higher-risk roles like scaffolding attract higher premiums. HBG manages all claims and return-to-work programs.
A state-based tax on wages paid above a threshold. Rates and thresholds differ by state — from 4% in TAS to 6.85% in ACT. New Zealand has no payroll tax.
Annual leave, personal/carer's leave, and public holidays are accrued as a percentage of ordinary hours. These entitlements accumulate whether the worker takes leave or not.
Recruitment, onboarding, induction management, licence verification, PPE, payroll processing, invoicing, and account management — the operational cost of supplying compliant labour.
$20M public liability, professional indemnity, and workers compensation coverage. All certificates of currency maintained and available on request. You carry zero employer risk.
These estimates give you a starting point. For an exact charge rate based on your specific award classification, site allowances, and volume requirements, get in touch with our team.
Licensed labour hire provider — NSW, QLD, VIC, WA & NZ. ABN 81 638 914 824.