Black Coal Award [MA000001]

This page is a summary of who the Black Coal Award covers and doesn’t cover. Find a copy of the award at Black Coal Award.

Learn how to calculate pay rates and check entitlements from Find pay rates and entitlements.

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Who the Black Coal Award covers

The Black Coal Award cover coal mining employees and their employers.

Coal mining employees:

  • work in the black coal mining industry and are employed by an employer in the black coal mining industry, or
  • are employed in the black coal mining industry and work at or near the location where black coal is mined, and whose work is:
    • directly linked to the day to day operations of a black coal mine, and
    • is covered by one of the classifications or types of work mentioned in the award.

The black coal mining industry includes:

  • extracting or mining black coal on a coal mining lease (through either underground or surface mining methods)
  • processing black coal at a coal handling or processing plant on or next to a coal mining lease
  • transporting black coal on a coal mining lease
  • other work on a coal mining lease that is directly connected to extracting, mining, and/or processing of black coal.

The definition of the black coal mining industry comes from the courts and industrial tribunals, including the Coal Industry Tribunal.

Examples of employers and employees covered by the Black Coal Award includes:

  • mineworkers
  • electrical and mechanical engineer assistants
  • surveyors, laboratory and technical assistants
  • administrative and clerical workers whose work is linked to the day to day operations of the mine
  • surveyors
  • draftspersons
  • forepersons
  • geologists
  • metallurgists
  • engineers
  • environmental scientists.

Check the award for full information on who is covered and the classification descriptions.

Source reference: Black Coal Mining Industry Award [MA000001] clause 4 and schedules A and B

Who the Black Coal Award doesn't cover

The following employers and employees are not covered by the Black Coal Award:

  • employers in the brown coal mining industry, if the mining is connected to operating a power station
  • administrative and clerical workers working in head office or corporate officers
  • construction workers
  • catering employees
  • employers who supply shotfiring or other explosive services who mainly work outside the black coal mining industry
  • employers who operate a coal export terminal.

Check the award for full information on coverage and classifications.

Source reference: Black Coal Mining Industry Award [MA000001] clause 4 and schedules A and B

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