For Australian employers
Fair Work award rate checker for Australian employers
AwardGuard is an Australian-built award rate checker for employers. It compares a rate you enter with the current adult base minimum for a supported classification from the Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database. It is independent from the FWC and FWO and provides general information only.
Who is this award rate checker for?
This page is for Australian employers, payroll teams, bookkeepers, HR practitioners, and advisers who want a repeatable first check before a pay run. It is useful when a roster export or saved role needs to be compared with an adult base minimum, but it is not a substitute for deciding which award or classification applies.
How do I check an award rate in Australia?
- Confirm the likely award and classification using official Fair Work guidance.
- Choose a supported award and classification in AwardGuard.
- Enter the hourly rate being paid and compare it with the published adult base minimum.
- Record the operative date and verify penalties, loadings, allowances, and coverage separately.
Which awards does AwardGuard support?
| Award | Code | Public scope |
|---|---|---|
| General Retail Industry Award 2020 | MA000004 | Adult base classifications |
| Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 | MA000009 | Adult base classifications |
| Fast Food Industry Award 2020 | MA000003 | Adult base classifications |
| Cleaning Services Award 2020 | MA000022 | Adult base classifications |
| Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 | MA000100 | Adult base classifications |
What the result means
A result identifies a rate that may need review against the selected adult base minimum. It does not make an underpayment finding and it cannot tell you whether the selected classification is correct. Use the methodology page to see how source rows and operative dates are handled.
What AwardGuard does not determine
AwardGuard does not decide which award, coverage clause, classification, employment arrangement, or entitlement applies to a person. It does not replace the award instrument, Fair Work Ombudsman tools, payroll advice, workplace-relations advice, or legal advice.
- Apprentice rates are not covered.
- Junior results, where available, are estimates and need pay-guide verification.
- Penalties, allowances, overtime, breaks, and other conditions need separate review.
- Enterprise agreements and above-award arrangements are outside this general comparison.
Verify figures and coverage in the Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database, the relevant Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide, and the applicable award instrument.
Common questions
- What is an FWC award rate checker?
- An FWC award rate checker compares an entered rate with published award rate data sourced from the Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database. AwardGuard is an independent checking tool and does not operate or speak for the FWC.
- Does AwardGuard determine which award applies?
- No. AwardGuard checks a selected supported classification. Employers must investigate coverage and classification using the applicable award, Fair Work guidance, and professional advice where needed.