Construction · New South Wales
Construction NSW Labour Hire Rates 2026
$57 – $95/hr ex-GST
EIR's 2026 published charge rates for construction labour hire in New South Wales (NSW). Rates cover commercial and civil construction sites across Sydney, Newcastle and regional NSW. All rates are all-inclusive: base pay, 12% superannuation, icare NSW workers' compensation, NSW payroll tax (5.45%), casual loading, public liability insurance, and EIR's agency margin. GST is not included in the rates below.
Current Charge Rates
All rates ex-GST · Award: Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2020 (BOCGO) · Effective July 2026
| Role / Classification | Standard | 1.5× OT | 2× OT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Labourer CW1C | $57.00/hr | $71.20/hr | $91.60/hr |
| Trade Assistant 1D | $58.00/hr | $72.50/hr | $93.00/hr |
| Carpenter (Full Tools) | $95.00/hr | $115.00/hr | $130.00/hr |
All rates are all-inclusive: base Award or EBA pay, 12% superannuation (SG), icare NSW workers' compensation premium, state payroll tax, 25% casual loading, public liability insurance, and EIR's agency margin. GST is not included and will be added to invoices.
What's included in the charge rate?
- ✓Award or EBA base wage (set by Fair Work Australia)
- ✓12% superannuation (Superannuation Guarantee)
- ✓icare NSW workers' compensation insurance
- ✓New South Wales payroll tax (5.45%)
- ✓25% casual loading
- ✓Public liability and professional indemnity insurance
- ✓EIR Labour Hire agency margin
You do not need to manage payroll, super, workers' comp claims, or employment obligations for labour hire workers. EIR is the employer of record — your obligation is to provide a safe workplace.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction labourer cost through labour hire in NSW?
A CW1C construction labourer engaged through EIR in NSW costs $57.00/hr ex-GST at standard time, $71.20/hr at 1.5× overtime, and $91.60/hr at 2× overtime. The rate is all-inclusive of 12% super, icare workers' compensation, NSW payroll tax, and EIR's margin.
What is the charge rate for a carpenter through labour hire in Sydney?
A carpenter with full tools engaged through EIR in NSW costs $95.00/hr ex-GST at standard time. Overtime rates are $115.00/hr (1.5×) and $130.00/hr (double time). EBA sites may carry higher rates — call 1800 LABOUR for a site-specific quote.
Does EIR hold a labour hire licence to operate in NSW?
NSW does not currently require labour hire licensing (unlike SA, QLD and VIC). EIR operates under Fair Work Australia obligations across NSW and complies with the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2020.
Are these rates for EBA or Award sites?
These are the standard Award (BOCGO 2020) rack rates. EBA projects — typically large infrastructure, government, or union-site construction — carry separately negotiated rates. Contact EIR for an EBA site quote.
Other sector rate guides
- Construction SA — $56.50 – $80.50/hr ex-GST
- EBA Adelaide — $83.70 – $95.13/hr ex-GST
- Food and Bev QLD — $48.60 – $57.35/hr ex-GST
- Food and Bev SA — $45.35 – $53.53/hr ex-GST
- Manufacturing QLD — $46.70 – $53.41/hr ex-GST
- Manufacturing SA — $47.32 – $54.12/hr ex-GST
- NSW Restoration — $52.50 – $54.20/hr ex-GST
- Restoration QLD — $50.51 – $54.70/hr ex-GST
- Restoration SA — $50.69 – $52.35/hr ex-GST
- Roads and Transport — $49.39 – $51.15/hr ex-GST
- SA Civil — $53.54 – $73.02/hr ex-GST
- Storage and Warehouse QLD — $47.81 – $54.27/hr ex-GST
- Storage and Warehouse SA — $50.81 – $52.73/hr ex-GST
See also: Full 2026 Labour Hire Rates Guide and Labour Hire Rates by State.
Need a site-specific quote?
These are published rack rates. Your actual rate may differ based on shift volume, site location, EBA coverage, and role mix. Call EIR for a tailored quote — usually confirmed within the hour.
Call 1800 LABOURAustralian family-owned since 2003 · SA, NSW & QLD
Rates effective July 2026. EIR reviews charge rates annually and following Fair Work Australia wage decisions. Last updated 27 July 2026. All rates exclude GST.