General Retail Industry Award (MA000004)
The General Retail Industry Award covers employees working in retail stores, including supermarkets, clothing stores, electronics retailers, and specialty shops. It sets minimum pay rates based on classification level, employment type, and age. The award applies to approximately 1.2 million workers across Australia.
Full-Time & Part-Time Base Rates
| Level | Description | Hourly Rate | Annual (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Retail worker (general duties) | $25.44 | $50,271 |
| Level 2 | Experienced retail worker | $26.01 | $51,396 |
| Level 3 | Supervisor / team leader | $26.84 | $53,035 |
Casual Rates (+25% Loading)
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for the absence of paid leave and job security. A Level 1 casual retail worker earns $31.80 per hour ($25.44 + 25%). See our Employment Type Calculator to compare casual vs full-time total remuneration.
Junior Rates by Age
| Age | % of Adult Rate | Hourly Rate (Level 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 45% | $11.45 |
| 16 years | 50% | $12.72 |
| 17 years | 60% | $15.26 |
| 18 years | 70% | $17.81 |
| 19 years | 80% | $20.35 |
| 20 years | 90% | $22.90 |
Hospitality Industry Award (MA000009)
The Hospitality Industry (General) Award covers employees in restaurants, cafes, hotels, motels, catering operations, and bars. It has 6 classification levels ranging from introductory (kitchen hand, food runner) to advanced (head chef, restaurant manager).
Full-Time & Part-Time Base Rates
| Level | Example Roles | Hourly Rate | Annual (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Kitchen hand, food runner | $24.10 | $47,622 |
| Level 2 | Waiter, bar attendant | $25.09 | $49,578 |
| Level 3 | Cook (qualified), senior waiter | $25.99 | $51,356 |
| Level 4 | Cook (trade qualified) | $27.27 | $53,885 |
| Level 5 | Chef, sous chef | $28.46 | $56,237 |
| Level 6 | Head chef, restaurant manager | $29.32 | $57,937 |
Casual hospitality employees receive the same 25% loading on top of these base rates. A Level 2 casual waiter earns $31.36 per hour. Apprentice and junior rates apply at reduced percentages similar to the retail award structure. Check the Hourly to Annual Salary Calculator to convert your hourly rate.
Penalty Rates
Both retail and hospitality awards include penalty rate provisions for work performed outside standard weekday hours. The following table shows the penalty loadings that apply on top of the base hourly rate for full-time and part-time employees.
| When | FT/PT Loading | Casual Loading |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | +25% | +25% (on casual rate) |
| Sunday (FT/PT) | +50% | +50% (on casual rate) |
| Public Holiday | +150% | +175% (on base rate) |
| Late Night (after 10pm) | +15% | +15% (on casual rate) |
| Early Morning (before 7am) | +15% | +15% (on casual rate) |
Penalty rates make weekend and holiday shifts significantly more valuable. A Level 1 retail worker earning $25.44/hr base receives $38.16/hr on a Sunday shift (+50%), and $63.60/hr on a public holiday (+150%). Use the Overtime Pay Calculator to model your penalty rate earnings.
Your Rights
Retail and hospitality workers have specific rights under the Fair Work Act and their respective Modern Awards that employers must comply with:
- Minimum engagement: Casual employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift under both the retail and hospitality awards. An employer cannot roster a casual for less than 3 hours, even if there is insufficient work.
- Roster change notice: Employers must provide at least 7 days' notice of any roster change under the retail award. The hospitality award also requires 7 days' notice, but allows changes with shorter notice by mutual agreement or in genuine emergencies.
- Casual conversion: Casual employees who have been employed for 12 months and have worked a regular pattern of hours for at least the last 6 months have the right to request conversion to permanent (full-time or part-time) employment. Since March 2021, employers must offer conversion unless there are reasonable business grounds to refuse.
- Breaks: Employees working more than 5 hours must receive an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes. Employees working more than 4 hours are entitled to a 10-minute paid rest break.
Know Your Award
If you suspect you are being underpaid, check your pay against the Award Rates Guide on this site or use the Fair Work Pay Calculator at fairwork.gov.au. You can report underpayment anonymously to the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.
Take-Home Pay Examples
Below are take-home pay estimates for common retail and hospitality scenarios in FY2025-26:
| Scenario | Gross Annual | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Level 1, FT 38 hrs | $50,271 | $42,613 |
| Retail Level 1, Casual 30 hrs/wk | $49,608 | $42,082 |
| Hospitality Level 3, FT | $51,356 | $43,481 |
| Hospitality Level 6, FT | $57,937 | $48,752 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How this guide works▼
Award rates are sourced from the Fair Work Commission pay guides for the General Retail Industry Award (MA000004) and the Hospitality Industry (General) Award (MA000009) for FY2025-26. Rates reflect the most recent Annual Wage Review increase. Tax calculations use ATO marginal rates for FY2025-26 including the 2% Medicare levy. Take-home pay examples assume no HECS-HELP debt, no private health insurance, and standard tax offsets.
Sources & References
- 1General Retail Industry Award— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 2Hospitality Industry Award— Fair Work Ombudsman
Last verified: 14 March 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Penny Ward
Verified AuthorEmployment & Workplace Rights Editor
B.Com (Hons), Cert IV Financial Planning
Penny is a financial journalist and workplace compliance specialist with over a decade of experience writing about Australian employment law, Fair Work entitlements, and payroll. She has contributed to publications covering industrial relations and personal finance, and previously advised small businesses on award interpretation and pay compliance.
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