Mobile Crane Hiring Award

Coverage under this award depends on the hire activity and the correct award boundary, not simply on the presence of cranes on a site.

• Confirm the business is in the mobile crane hire service industry described by the award.
• Check the overlap exclusions with manufacturing and building and construction awards before locking coverage in.
• Do not assume coverage just because cranes or access equipment are used.
• If more than one award could apply, use the classification that is most appropriate to the work and work environment.

The award is highly classification driven. Engagement type, licences, equipment band and higher duties all need to be set correctly from day one.

• Employees are engaged either as full time weekly hire employees or casual employees.
• The employer must inform the employee at engagement which category applies.
• Schedule A ties each level to defined tasks and minimum qualifications.
• The higher duties clause matters where an employee performs work in a higher classification on a day.

Depot hours and the method used to implement the 38 hour week need to be chosen deliberately and then administered consistently.

• Ordinary hours are based on a 38 hour week worked Monday to Friday within the ordinary span.
• The award allows several methods for working the 38 hour week, including rostered days off.
• Regular depot starting and finishing times must be fixed and are not to be changed without notice.
• Ordinary hours above 8 in a day require the agreement of the majority of employees involved and cannot exceed the award limit.

Roster mechanics are a real compliance issue under this award because the rostered day off system is detailed and not just a payroll convention.

• Rostered day off arrangements have detailed accrual and substitution rules.
• Rostered days off can only be accumulated within the award limits.
• Emergency work on a rostered day off has special consequences under the award.
• Make up time only operates through the facilitative provision process.

Allowance and overtime handling under this award is specialised. Payroll should keep classification pay, industry allowance, task allowances and premium time separate.

• The award includes an all purpose industry allowance in addition to the minimum classification rate.
• It also contains task based and expense related allowance provisions, including specific rules for multiple cranes, pile driving, fares and travel and protective equipment.
• Overtime applies to time worked outside ordinary hours and the award contains minimum payments for certain overtime work.
• Casual penalty treatment is dealt with expressly and should not be guessed.

Casual engagement paperwork and licence management are practical risk areas under this award and need their own controls.

• Casual employees must be told in writing that they are casual and given key engagement details.
• Casuals have a minimum daily engagement under the award.
• Loss of licence or certificate triggers a specific process rather than an automatic termination outcome.
• Weekend and public holiday overtime has minimum payment rules that should be built into payroll settings.

PR799280, PR799313, PR799470

The current consolidated award incorporates these recent variation determinations. Use the consolidated wording when checking any affected clause, schedule, rate or allowance.

Affected: 15 - Breaks, 16 - Minimum rates, 18 - Allowances, Schedule B - Summary of Hourly Rates of Pay, Schedule C - Summary of Monetary Allowances, Schedule D - Supported Wage System, Schedule E - National Training Wage