As an artist or performer, you must comprehend what your rights are when it comes to standards of pay. Understanding award wage rates and their application is essential to ensuring that you are paid correctly. Additionally, as the employer, you must know your obligations regarding the minimum wages you owe your employees. It serves as a guide to help meet your obligations under employment law. This article will explain the basics of an award wage and then discuss the award wage schemes for artists and performers.
What are award wages?
Award wages are the minimum pay rates an employer owes to an employee. An award is an industrial instrument that outlines minimum terms and conditions of employment for any applicable employees.
Awards are updated and reconsidered regularly to reflect their industry’s state accurately. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the new award wage conditions on 1 July each year, so check then to ensure that employers are up to date. An award wage generally includes:
- Minimum wages: If an award covers your employee, their minimum wage will be higher than the national minimum wage. The actual amount will depend on the relevant award. The award will also include rates such as overtime and penalty rates; and
- Allowances: Depending on the industry, an award may require that employers provide allowances for employees to purchase training materials, travel, and other costs associated with their role, among other things.
Artist award wages
Artists may be covered by the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award.
Who does it apply to?
The award applies to employers and employees in the graphic arts, printing, publishing and associated industries and occupations. The Fair Work Commission declares a more complete description of the types of employees included in award coverage.
Pay
The award requires a higher minimum wage than the national minimum wage. You can use this calculator to calculate your pay or an employee’s pay.
Allowances
The Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award requires that employers provide certain allowances to particular employees. These include:
- allowances for reimbursing prescribed textbooks/training fees in connection to training agreed to by the employer;
- one-hour payment of the minimum hourly rate in addition to the relevant amount of pay/overtime for employees whose employers call back in to work in specific circumstances;
- allowance for employees appointed by the employer to perform first aid duty, who have first aid training, paid hourly;
- meal allowances in specific circumstances; and
- reimbursements for protective clothing and equipment are required by state law.
Whether and in what amount an employee is entitled to an allowance depends on their role. You can find the entire list of allowances here.
Continue reading this article below the formPerformer award wages
In the live performance industry, performers may be covered by the Live Performance Award.
Who does it apply to?
The award applies to employers in the live performance industry and employees who fit within its classifications. This encompasses a relatively wide range of employees, from actors and opera singers to producers and prop-makers. The Fair Work Commission declares a more complete description of the types of employees covered by the award.
Pay
The award requires a higher minimum wage than the national minimum wage. You can use this calculator to calculate your pay or an employee’s pay.
Allowances
The Live Performance award provides a comprehensive and extensive range of allowances. Some key allowances to be aware of are:
- accommodation allowances – If employees are required to stay at a particular location, your employer may need to provide them with an accommodation allowance. The amount of the allowance will differ depending on the role;
- meal, laundry and transport allowances – Only in specified circumstances;
- role-specific allowances – Certain roles have their own specific allowances that must be paid. For example, assistant stage managers receive specific extra allowances; and
- rude allowances – Employees receive an allowance for time spent nude or semi-nude.
Whether a particular employee is entitled to an allowance and the amount they are entitled to depends on their role. You can find the entire list here.
As an employer, understand your essential employment obligations with this free LegalVision factsheet.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the contents of the relevant award wages is crucial for artists and performers as well as their employers. Key considerations include:
- award wages set industry-specific standards of pay, as well as other conditions, including allowances;
- for artists, the Graphic Arts, Printing, and Publishing Award may set out the relevant minimum wage and allowances; and
- for performers, the Live Performance Award may set out the relevant minimum wage and allowances.
If you need help managing your obligations or entitlements under an award wage, our experienced employment lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 1300 544 755 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Award wages ensure that workers receive the minimum standards that align with the nature of their industry.
There are many different awards that are categorised into various sectors and specific jobs. For example, nurses and hospitality workers have different award wages and conditions to align with their respective positions.
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