What industry award wages apply?

Stuart Primrose

Hey employers, what industry award wages apply for the arboriculture industry?

I'm paying $25 p.h. for casuals...is that about right?

cheers.

Drouin Tree Service

Heres a copy paste of what i was informed a while back,keep in mind this is Victoria.

Hi Jason

Have just got off the phone to VECCI after an hour of them searching awards, they don't think there is one.

Therefore as long as you are paying them over the minimum adult award rate of $15.00 per hour

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

redmower

Anyone have a better idea for the relevant award for workers in suburban arboriculture/tree work. I tend to think it is OK to use "Horticulture Award 2010 (MA000028)" an Australian wide award.

Here is an extract of base rates of pay $Aust.
Classification Min. week. wage Min hrly wage
Level 1 543.90 14.31
Level 2 560.50 14.75
Level 3 577.20 15.19
Level 4 600.10 15.79
Level 5 637.60 16.78

I had a look at the Timber Industry award but it doesn't seem to fit with our line of work IMO


Any other ideas??

RM

Garry Brockley

i have to say if you can get a level 3 for 15.19 ph good luck they're either not worth it or they will be with you for a day if they start at all, as for level 5 for 16.78 ph thats laughable to be honest a level 5 should be able to run the business for you. i know level 3's that can run the day to day business of a standard tree business they earn double that+ ph.

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redmower

Garry

For this purpose Level 3 and 5 are defined within this award. They do not relate to AQF Certificate or Diploma levels for Arborists. And I agree that good staff are worth heaps more than this award seems to suggest.

I am still looking for a base award to consider as relevant to arboriculture in Aust. accepting that market forces and common sense will often dictate higher rates of pay.

RM

Josh Wrigley

I was under the assumption that it was $18 per hour across the board as of the start of last year (for casuals), but that just be in my industry.

Either way, I have found it better to pay a higher rate as people will be more willing to go that little bit further if they are getting a bit extra.

Eric Frei

This website helps.

There is an occupational category for tree climber and chainsaw operator. Use the "launch Pay Check" blue button.

http://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay/findi...s/default.aspx

From the same site I found 3 similar areas that have awards.

https://extranet.deewr.gov.au/ccmsv8..._CODE=MA000040

https://extranet.deewr.gov.au/ccmsv8..._CODE=MA000033

https://extranet.deewr.gov.au/ccmsv8..._CODE=MA000101

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Victor Lindsay

Keep your labor cost under 25%. It is a business that you run.

Ace Master

Lopa,

Ha,ha,VECCI, dont ring then at lunch time because all employees are on the line then had many talks with VECCI about wages.Lopa ,that's right we come under a garden award that starts at $ 15.00 per hour which is a joke, should be more around the $22 per hr rate.But if you are paying $ ?? per you should be charging out at least 3x more to cover the costs, which is made up of tax,super,AL,SickL,Public Holidays,work cover leave, LSL coinvest,PersonslL, 20% Loading if casual, plus PPE, uniforms, training, it all adds up,we should have a realistic set rate for the arbor industry, just like a plumber,builder,electrician,etc.Our work is more dangerous then the local electrician wiring in a powerpoint with his big expensive screwdriver set from the big expensive van layout, so what should be the lowest to the highest paying rates..........................any ideas welcome?

I think start at $22 base level?

Qualifications brings service up to a fair playing level.



Need a

ACE

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Website: The Mt Dandenong Ranges Tree Specialists

YouTube: Ace Tree Master

Apocalypsse

Base minimum I'd say for FT, $18 an hour (base, not ideal rate), for someone just doing plain groundie duties, chipper operator etc.

Ace Master

$ 18 a start.

Ace

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YouTube: Ace Tree Master

Eric Frei

Struth, I'll have to ask for a pay rise!

Just kidding.

Factory worker at TipTop bakery gets more than that, more dough in bread eh.

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Jeff Darby

So does a garbo with no training at all...l think the base rate for level two should be $25 per hr

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Member: Australian Tree Association

Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard !

Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others

© Jeffrey J Darby 2011

Drouin Tree Service

Casual ----$20 start,$25 heavy ridgid truck licence,red card, limits of aproach and can work unsupervised.

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

Stuart Primrose

Jesus ! that's pretty cheap... I'm paying $22.75 p.h. for groundies, plus super etc. In Hobart it seems to be the going rate for climbers as well. Unless you are subcontracting. One unqualified lopper who regularly performs unsavoury work practices down here pays his climbers $70p.h. ! with limited experience and very basic skills.....whereas another company with all the OH&S procedures and shmicko machinery & good reputation pays their climbers $22.75 p.h. !

Eric Frei

At the end of the day supply and demand determines the local market.

Staffing is always a tough one. Paying according to competency doesn't always work either. Why?

Because productivity is what counts and there's some lesser qualified who'll whip some ass .... so pay them more.

Hard when everyone on the crew has different pay rates, and they talk, "why is So-and-So getting $2/hour more than me when I'm a level 4 and he's a level 2?

Because you are lazy mate and I'd rather two of him to one of you, it's about productivity and your job not what papers you have.

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Josh Wrigley

Well said!

aimee

like!