Pharmacy Award Pay Rates by Level
Adult minimum rates for full-time and part-time employees under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees at their classification — the difference is hours, not rate. The casual column adds the 25% loading (cl 11.2).
| Classification level | Weekly (38 hrs) | Hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $1,056.80 | $27.81 | $34.76 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $1,081.00 | $28.45 | $35.56 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $1,165.10 | $30.66 | $38.33 |
| Pharmacy student — 1st year of course | $1,056.80 | $27.81 | $34.76 |
| Pharmacy student — 2nd year of course | $1,081.00 | $28.45 | $35.56 |
| Pharmacy student — 3rd year of course | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Pharmacy student — 4th year of course | $1,165.10 | $30.66 | $38.33 |
| Pharmacy intern — 1st half of training | $1,291.50 | $33.99 | $42.49 |
| Pharmacy intern — 2nd half of training | $1,335.50 | $35.14 | $43.93 |
| Pharmacist | $1,586.30 | $41.74 | $52.18 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $1,737.40 | $45.72 | $57.15 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $1,778.40 | $46.80 | $58.50 |
| Pharmacist manager | $1,981.60 | $52.15 | $65.19 |
Weekly rates are the award’s minimum weekly rate for a full-time employee (cl 16.1, Table 3); hourly is the weekly rate divided by 38.
Which level am I?
- Pharmacy students: Paid by year of course, which begins on the first day of the academic term. A first-year Master of Pharmacy student is treated as being in the 3rd year of a course, and progression follows passing all subjects for the year (cl 16.3).
- Pharmacy interns: Paid by half of training — the first and second halves of the internship carry different rates.
Casuals do not get the loading on overtime — and junior pharmacy assistant rates rise from 1 December 2026
The Pharmacy award says in terms that the casual loading is not payable on overtime (cl 11.3), which is the opposite of the Fast Food and Clerks awards. And from 1 December 2026 pharmacy assistants at levels 1–2 aged 18–20 with more than 6 months' service move up on an annual schedule — 18-year-olds to 75%, then 85% from 1 July 2027 — reaching the adult rate on 1 July 2029. That is a different, slower-stepped schedule from retail and fast food.
Pharmacy Award Pay Guide 2026-27: Every Level, Every Day
The hourly rate for each classification at each penalty band, in the layout of the Fair Work pay guide. Find your level, then the day you worked.
Full-time and part-time
| Classification | Mon–Fri 8am–7pm100% | Mon–Fri 7pm–9pm125% | Sat 8am–6pm125% | Sun 7am–9pm150% | Public holiday225% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $34.76 | $41.72 | $62.57 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $28.45 | $35.56 | $35.56 | $42.68 | $64.01 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $66.26 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $30.66 | $38.33 | $38.33 | $45.99 | $68.99 |
| Pharmacy student — 1st year of course | $27.81 | $34.76 | $34.76 | $41.72 | $62.57 |
| Pharmacy student — 2nd year of course | $28.45 | $35.56 | $35.56 | $42.68 | $64.01 |
| Pharmacy student — 3rd year of course | $29.45 | $36.81 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $66.26 |
| Pharmacy student — 4th year of course | $30.66 | $38.33 | $38.33 | $45.99 | $68.99 |
| Pharmacy intern — 1st half of training | $33.99 | $42.49 | $42.49 | $50.99 | $76.48 |
| Pharmacy intern — 2nd half of training | $35.14 | $43.93 | $43.93 | $52.71 | $79.07 |
| Pharmacist | $41.74 | $52.18 | $52.18 | $62.61 | $93.92 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $45.72 | $57.15 | $57.15 | $68.58 | $102.87 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $46.80 | $58.50 | $58.50 | $70.20 | $105.30 |
| Pharmacist manager | $52.15 | $65.19 | $65.19 | $78.23 | $117.34 |
Casual
| Classification | Mon–Fri 8am–7pm125% | Mon–Fri 7pm–9pm150% | Sat 8am–6pm150% | Sun 7am–9pm175% | Public holiday250% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $34.76 | $41.72 | $41.72 | $48.67 | $69.53 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $35.56 | $42.68 | $42.68 | $49.79 | $71.13 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $73.63 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $38.33 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $53.66 | $76.65 |
| Pharmacy student — 1st year of course | $34.76 | $41.72 | $41.72 | $48.67 | $69.53 |
| Pharmacy student — 2nd year of course | $35.56 | $42.68 | $42.68 | $49.79 | $71.13 |
| Pharmacy student — 3rd year of course | $36.81 | $44.18 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $73.63 |
| Pharmacy student — 4th year of course | $38.33 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $53.66 | $76.65 |
| Pharmacy intern — 1st half of training | $42.49 | $50.99 | $50.99 | $59.48 | $84.98 |
| Pharmacy intern — 2nd half of training | $43.93 | $52.71 | $52.71 | $61.50 | $87.85 |
| Pharmacist | $52.18 | $62.61 | $62.61 | $73.05 | $104.35 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $57.15 | $68.58 | $68.58 | $80.01 | $114.30 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $58.50 | $70.20 | $70.20 | $81.90 | $117.00 |
| Pharmacist manager | $65.19 | $78.23 | $78.23 | $91.26 | $130.38 |
Casual figures are the award's casual percentages, which already include the 25% loading where it applies. Figures are rounded to the cent. A dash means the column does not apply to that classification.
Pharmacy Award Penalty Rates
| When worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Pharmacy assistant level 1 | Casual | $ casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday — 7.00 am to 8.00 am | 150% | $41.72 | 175% | $48.67 |
| Monday to Friday — 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm | 125% | $34.76 | 150% | $41.72 |
| Monday to Friday — 9.00 pm to midnight | 150% | $41.72 | 175% | $48.67 |
| Saturday — 7.00 am to 8.00 am | 200% | $55.62 | 225% | $62.57 |
| Saturday — 8.00 am to 6.00 pm | 125% | $34.76 | 150% | $41.72 |
| Saturday — 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm | 150% | $41.72 | 175% | $48.67 |
| Saturday — 9.00 pm to midnight | 175% | $48.67 | 200% | $55.62 |
| Sunday — 7.00 am to 9.00 pm | 150% | $41.72 | 175% | $48.67 |
| Sunday — before 7.00 am and after 9.00 pm | 200% | $55.62 | 225% | $62.57 |
| Public holidays — all dayPublic holiday pay calculator & dates by state → | 225% | $62.57 | 250% | $69.53 |
Source: cl 22.3, Table 6.
Pharmacy penalties depend on the time of day as well as the day — a Saturday shift can cross three different rates.
Ordinary hours can be worked on any day between 7.00 am and midnight (cl 13.1). Penalty rates are not cumulative on overtime rates (cl 22.2).
Pharmacy Award Overtime Rates
| Overtime worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Pharmacy assistant level 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday — first 2 hours | 150% | $41.72 |
| Monday to Saturday — after 2 hours | 200% | $55.62 |
| Sunday — all day | 200% | $55.62 |
| Public holiday — all day | 250% | $69.53 |
Source: cl 21.4, Table 5.
The casual loading is not payable on overtime worked by a casual employee (cl 11.3 NOTE) — the opposite of the Fast Food and Clerks awards.
Pharmacy Award Junior Rates
Junior rates are a percentage of the adult rate for the classification (cl 16.2, Table 4), and apply to pharmacy assistant levels 1 and 2 only. The dollar columns apply the percentage to Pharmacy assistant level 1 ($1,056.80 a week) and divide by 38. The full adult rate applies from age 21.
| Age | % of adult rate | Weekly on Pharmacy assistant level 1 | Hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 45% | $475.56 | $12.51 | $15.64 |
| 16 | 50% | $528.40 | $13.91 | $17.39 |
| 17 | 60% | $634.08 | $16.69 | $20.86 |
| 18 | 70% | $739.76 | $19.47 | $24.34 |
| 19 | 80% | $845.44 | $22.25 | $27.81 |
| 20 | 90% | $951.12 | $25.03 | $31.29 |
| 21 and over | 100% | $1,056.80 | $27.81 | $34.76 |
Junior rates from 1 December 2026: a phase-in, not the adult rate
Determination PR813656, made on 26 August 2026 under [2026] FWCFB 222 (implementing [2026] FWCFB 75), replaces the junior table for employees aged 18, 19 and 20 who have been employed by their employer for more than 6 months. Each step takes effect from the first full pay period starting on or after the date shown. Under-18 rates and the rates for the first 6 months with an employer do not change.
| Age (more than 6 months with the employer) | Now | 1 Dec 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 | 1 Jul 2027 – 30 Jun 2028 | 1 Jul 2028 – 30 Jun 2029 | From 1 Jul 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 70%$19.47 | 75%$20.86 | 85%$23.64 | 95%$26.42 | 100%$27.81 |
| 19 | 80%$22.25 | 85%$23.64 | 95%$26.42 | 100%$27.81 | 100%$27.81 |
| 20 | 90%$25.03 | 95%$26.42 | 100%$27.81 | 100%$27.81 | 100%$27.81 |
Dollar figures are the hourly rate on Pharmacy assistant level 1 ($1,056.80 a week at current rates), before any future Annual Wage Review increase. Employees aged 18–20 with 6 months or less with the employer stay on 70%, 80% and 90%. Source: determination PR813656.
For how junior scales compare across awards and against the National Minimum Wage, see our junior pay rates guide.
Pharmacy Award Allowances
Fixed-dollar allowances in cl 19, operative from 1 July 2026. Each is paid only where the clause’s conditions are met.
| Allowance | Amount | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Home medicine reviews / residential medication management reviews | $106.40 per week | cl 19.2 |
| Meal allowance (overtime without notice on or before the previous day) | $24.72 per occasion | cl 19.3(b)(i) |
| Further meal allowance (that overtime exceeds 4 hours) | $22.15 per occasion | cl 19.3(c) |
| Laundry of clothing — full-time | $6.42 per week | cl 19.5(b)(i) |
| Laundry of clothing — part-time or casual | $1.28 per shift | cl 19.5(b)(ii) |
| Motor vehicle allowance | $1.01 per km | cl 19.7 |
| Broken Hill allowance | $47.90 per week | cl 19.9 |
Minimum Shifts and Hours
- Casuals must be rostered for a minimum of 3 consecutive hours (cl 11.1), reduced to 2 hours for a full-time secondary school student working between 3.00 pm and 6.30 pm on a school day where the conditions in cl 11.5 are met.
- The maximum ordinary hours on any day is 12 (cl 13.3).
What does a pharmacy award rate take home?
- Take-home on $27.81/hr (Pharmacy assistant level 1)
- Take-home on $28.45/hr (Pharmacy assistant level 2)
- Take-home on $29.45/hr (Pharmacy assistant level 3)
- Take-home on $30.66/hr (Pharmacy assistant level 4)
- Take-home on $27.81/hr (Pharmacy student — 1st year of course)
- Take-home on $28.45/hr (Pharmacy student — 2nd year of course)
- Take-home on $29.45/hr (Pharmacy student — 3rd year of course)
- Take-home on $30.66/hr (Pharmacy student — 4th year of course)
- Take-home on $33.99/hr (Pharmacy intern — 1st half of training)
Working a mix of shifts? Enter your hours in the weekly pay calculator, or turn a salary into net pay with the take-home pay calculator.
What This Page Does Not Cover
These parts of the award carry rules or rates we have not verified line by line, so we publish no figures for them:
- The pharmacist on-call and after-hours provisions in cl 19.4
- Annualised wage arrangements for pharmacists and pharmacy assistant level 4 (cl 18)
- National Training Wage (Schedule E of the Miscellaneous Award) trainee rates
An enterprise agreement, if one covers your workplace, replaces these award rates — though it must leave you better off overall.
When These Rates Took Effect
Applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, not universally 1 July. If your pay period began before 1 July 2026, the previous rate lawfully applies to that whole period and the rise starts with the next one. The award was varied by determination PR799293 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If you have been paid below these rates, our backpay calculator works out what is owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pharmacy Award questions and answers
What are the pharmacy award pay rates for 2026-27?
Under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012), adult minimum rates run from $27.81 an hour ($1,056.80 a week) for Pharmacy assistant level 1 to $52.15 an hour ($1,981.60 a week) for Pharmacist manager. They apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
What is the casual rate under the Pharmacy Award?
Casuals receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate, so Pharmacy assistant level 1 becomes $34.76 an hour. Casual penalty rates add the loading rather than multiplying by it — the casual column in the award is the permanent percentage plus 25 percentage points.
What allowances are paid under the Pharmacy Award?
The award's allowances clause (cl 19) includes: home medicine reviews / residential medication management reviews $106.40 per week; meal allowance (overtime without notice on or before the previous day) $24.72 per occasion; further meal allowance (that overtime exceeds 4 hours) $22.15 per occasion; laundry of clothing — full-time $6.42 per week; laundry of clothing — part-time or casual $1.28 per shift. Allowances are paid on top of the classification rate when the employee meets the clause's conditions.
What are the junior rates under the Pharmacy Award?
Junior rates are a percentage of the adult rate for the classification (cl 16.2, Table 4): Under 16 45%, 16 50%, 17 60%, 18 70%, 19 80%, 20 90%. The full adult rate applies from age 21. They apply to pharmacy assistant levels 1 and 2 only.
Are pharmacy award junior rates changing on 1 December 2026?
Yes, but it is a phase-in, not an immediate move to the adult rate. Determination PR813656, made on 26 August 2026 under [2026] FWCFB 222, lifts rates for employees aged 18 to 20 who have been employed by their employer for more than 6 months. From the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026, 18-year-olds move from 70% to 75%, 19-year-olds from 80% to 85% and 20-year-olds from 90% to 95%, reaching 100% by 1 Jul 2029. Employees with 6 months or less with the employer, and all under-18s, stay on the current percentages.
When did the new pharmacy award rates start?
Applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, not universally 1 July. The MA000012 rates were varied by determination PR799293 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If your pay period started before 1 July 2026, the old rate lawfully applies to that whole period.
How much does a pharmacist earn under the award?
A pharmacist earns at least $41.74 an hour ($1,586.30 a week). An experienced pharmacist earns $45.72, a pharmacist in charge $46.80 and a pharmacist manager $52.15. A pharmacy intern earns $33.99 in the first half of training and $35.14 in the second.
What are the pharmacy award penalty rates?
Monday to Friday: 7–8am 150%, 7–9pm 125%, 9pm–midnight 150%. Saturday: 7–8am 200%, 8am–6pm 125%, 6–9pm 150%, 9pm–midnight 175%. Sunday: 7am–9pm 150%, and before 7am or after 9pm 200%. Public holidays are 225%. Casuals are paid 25 percentage points more in each band.
Do junior rates apply to all pharmacy employees?
No. Junior percentages apply only to pharmacy assistants at level 1 or level 2. A junior employed in any other classification — including a pharmacy assistant at level 3 or 4, or a pharmacy student — must be paid the adult rate.
What is a pharmacy student paid?
Pharmacy students are paid by year of their course: $27.81 in first year, rising to $30.66 in fourth year. A first-year Master of Pharmacy student is treated as being in the 3rd year of a course.
How these rates were verified▼
Every figure comes from one constants file transcribed on 23 September 2026 from the Fair Work Commission’s consolidated MA000012 award text, which incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 July 2026 (PR810422, PR799280, PR799293 and PR799450). Clause numbers are cited against each table. Hourly is the published weekly rate divided by 38; derived dollar figures are rounded half up to the cent.
Automated tests pin the published rates, check every hourly rate against its weekly rate, and assert the rules this award is most often modelled wrongly on — including that casual penalties add the loading rather than multiplying by it. Parts of the award we have not verified are listed as gaps rather than estimated.
Sources & References
- 1Consolidated award text — Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012)— Fair Work Commission
- 2Award summary and pay guide — MA000012— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 3Annual Wage Review 2026— Fair Work Commission
- 4Junior rates determination PR813656 ([2026] FWCFB 222)— Fair Work Commission
Last verified: 23 September 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Anita Bell
AuthorFounder & Senior Bookkeeper
Accountancy degree (2015); certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One
Anita Bell earned her accountancy degree in 2015 and has worked as a senior bookkeeper with Prime Bookkeeping for over 5 years. This built her skills in Australian and New Zealand tax legislation and industry regulations. She is certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One, and works with payroll and rostering software including Gusto, Deputy, Tsheets and KeyPay. She has strong experience in hospitality, building and construction, financial services, real estate, ecommerce, and medical and health services.
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