Every year we get hundreds of inquiries from people asking about award rates for graphic designers.

The quick (and potentially highly misleading) answer is...

If you work for a "Graphic Arts" company (either a printing company, or a company in a printing-related industry such as a repro house, etc.) then there are two Federal Awards that cover all non-clerical and non-managerial positions in those types of companies. Graphic designers who work in these types of companies are covered by one of the two Awards.

The type of Award you would be covered by depends on whether the organization is a 'Constitutional Corporation' or not. For example, most 'Pty Ltd' companies would typically be a Constitutional Corporation.

To understand the government's definition of a Constitutional Corporation, see: https://www.workchoices.gov.au/ourplan/publications/html/WorkChoicesandwhoiscovered.htm

For the Award covering employees of Constitutional Corporations, see: http://www.workplace.gov.au/ims/FED/Awards/AP/78/25/05/support/AP782505_TOC_EX.htm

For the Award covering other employees, see: http://www.workplace.gov.au/ims/FED/Awards/AT/78/25/05/support/AT782505_TOC_EX.htm

If you are confused (like I was when investigating these Awards), the easiest thing to do is call the Workplaces Infoline on 1300 363 264, 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday. I used the phone service and they were very helpful.

The real answer is that most graphic designers work in professional firms or inhouse design departments, and therefore are not covered by the award. Professionals (eg. accounting, architecture, law, etc.) tend to not have award rates.

For this reason, AGDA has partnered with Aquent to run an annual Salary Survey so that our members can see what the estimated salaries are for specific positions. You can access these articles from the Getting Work section menu.

Depending on the context of your inquiry, it may also be worthwhile checking with a recruitment firm that specialises in graphic design to get a feel for current market rates, which will vary according to a lot of different criteria such as experience, portfolio quality, breadth of expertise, overseas experience, market demand for particular positions, supply for particular positions, etc.