Australian Award Rates 2025: Find Your Minimum Pay by Industry
IntuitiveCalc Team
Financial Content Specialist
Modern awards set minimum pay rates for most Australian workers. Here's how to find your award and ensure you're being paid correctly.
2025-26 Minimum Wage Update
From 1 July 2025, the national minimum wage increased to:
$24.95 per hour / $948.10 per week (full-time, 38 hours)
$31.19 per hour for casual employees (including 25% loading)
What Are Modern Awards?
Modern awards are legal documents that set out the minimum pay rates and conditions for employees in specific industries or occupations. They cover:
- Minimum hourly and weekly wages
- Penalty rates (weekends, nights, public holidays)
- Overtime rates
- Allowances (uniforms, tools, travel)
- Leave entitlements
- Working hours and breaks
There are 122 modern awards covering most industries. If no specific award applies, employees are covered by the national minimum wage.
How to Find Your Award
Step 1: Identify Your Industry
Awards are generally industry-based. Common examples:
- General Retail Industry Award - shops, supermarkets
- Hospitality Industry (General) Award - restaurants, cafes, hotels
- Fast Food Industry Award - quick service restaurants
- Building and Construction General On-site Award - construction workers
- Nurses Award - registered and enrolled nurses
- Clerks - Private Sector Award - office administration
Step 2: Find Your Classification
Within each award, employees are classified into levels based on their skills, experience, and responsibilities. Higher levels = higher pay.
Step 3: Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator
The Fair Work Pay Calculator is the official tool to:
- Find which award covers you
- Calculate your exact pay rate
- Check penalty rates and allowances
Award Rates by Industry (2025-26)
Below are the minimum hourly rates for common awards. Rates are effective from 1 July 2025.
Retail Industry
| Classification | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate | Weekly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Employee Level 1 | $25.40 | $31.75 | $965.20 |
| Retail Employee Level 2 | $26.02 | $32.53 | $988.80 |
| Retail Employee Level 3 | $26.65 | $33.31 | $1,012.70 |
| Retail Employee Level 4 | $27.19 | $33.99 | $1,033.10 |
| Retail Employee Level 5 | $28.30 | $35.38 | $1,075.40 |
Hospitality Industry
| Classification | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate | Weekly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Kitchen hand, cleaner) | $24.95 | $31.19 | $948.10 |
| Level 2 (Waiter, bar attendant) | $25.71 | $32.14 | $976.90 |
| Level 3 (Cook Grade 2) | $26.60 | $33.25 | $1,010.80 |
| Level 4 (Cook Grade 3) | $27.64 | $34.55 | $1,050.20 |
| Level 5 (Cook Grade 4, Chef) | $28.77 | $35.96 | $1,093.10 |
| Level 6 (Chef Grade 2) | $29.91 | $37.39 | $1,136.50 |
Fast Food Industry
| Classification | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate | Weekly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Crew member) | $24.95 | $31.19 | $948.10 |
| Level 2 (Senior crew) | $25.67 | $32.09 | $975.50 |
| Level 3 (Shift supervisor) | $26.41 | $33.01 | $1,003.50 |
Construction Industry
| Classification | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate | Weekly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| CW/ECW Level 1 (Labourer) | $26.80 | $33.50 | $1,018.40 |
| CW/ECW Level 2 | $27.59 | $34.49 | $1,048.30 |
| CW/ECW Level 3 (Tradesperson) | $29.07 | $36.34 | $1,104.60 |
| CW/ECW Level 4 | $30.20 | $37.75 | $1,147.60 |
| CW/ECW Level 5 (Advanced trade) | $31.33 | $39.16 | $1,190.60 |
Healthcare Industry
| Classification | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate | Weekly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Employee Level 1 | $25.64 | $32.05 | $974.30 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 2 | $26.83 | $33.54 | $1,019.60 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 3 | $27.90 | $34.88 | $1,060.20 |
| Registered Nurse Level 1.1 | $34.47 | $43.09 | $1,309.80 |
| Registered Nurse Level 2 | $37.21 | $46.51 | $1,413.80 |
Clerical/Administration
| Classification | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate | Weekly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Intro/Junior) | $24.95 | $31.19 | $948.10 |
| Level 2 | $25.86 | $32.33 | $982.70 |
| Level 3 | $26.83 | $33.54 | $1,019.60 |
| Level 4 | $28.18 | $35.23 | $1,070.80 |
| Level 5 | $29.32 | $36.65 | $1,114.00 |
Junior Rates
Employees under 21 may be paid a percentage of the adult rate:
| Age | Percentage of Adult Rate | Example (Min Wage) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 36.8% | $9.18/hour |
| 16 years | 47.3% | $11.80/hour |
| 17 years | 57.8% | $14.42/hour |
| 18 years | 68.3% | $17.04/hour |
| 19 years | 82.5% | $20.58/hour |
| 20 years | 97.7% | $24.38/hour |
| 21+ years | 100% | $24.95/hour |
Note on Junior Rates
Not all awards have junior rates. Check your specific award - some industries pay adult rates to all employees regardless of age. Fast food and retail commonly use junior rates.
Common Allowances
Many awards include allowances for specific situations:
Uniform/Laundry Allowances
- Hospitality: $1.23 per shift (if laundering own uniform)
- Retail: $8.70 per week (if wearing required uniform)
- Healthcare: Varies by state and employer
Tool Allowances (Construction)
- Tradesperson: $23.40 per week
- Electrical trade: $26.10 per week
Travel/Transport Allowances
- Reimbursement for work-related travel beyond normal commute
- Vehicle allowance: typically 96 cents per kilometre
Checking If You're Being Paid Correctly
Step-by-Step Verification
- Identify your award - Use the Fair Work Award Finder
- Find your classification - Based on your duties and experience
- Check the current rates - Rates change each July
- Calculate penalty rates - For weekends, nights, public holidays
- Add applicable allowances - Uniforms, tools, travel
- Compare to your payslip - Match against actual payments
Think You're Being Underpaid?
Wage theft is illegal in Australia. If you believe you're being underpaid:
1. Document your hours and pay received
2. Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator to verify
3. Speak to your employer first (they may have made an error)
4. Contact Fair Work: 13 13 94
5. You can recover unpaid wages going back 6 years
When Enterprise Agreements Apply
Some workplaces have enterprise agreements (EBAs) that override the relevant award. Enterprise agreements:
- Must leave employees "better off overall" compared to the award
- Are negotiated between employers and employees
- Are approved by the Fair Work Commission
- May have different pay rates, conditions, and allowances
Check with your employer or HR department if an enterprise agreement applies to your workplace.
Related Resources
Penalty Rates Guide
Weekend, night, and public holiday rates explained.
Employment Types
Full-time vs part-time vs casual explained.
Income Tax Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay after tax.
Payslip Guide
How to read and verify your payslip.
Key Takeaways
- 122 modern awards cover most Australian workers
- Rates update each July - check you're on the current rate
- Classification matters - higher levels = higher pay
- Casual loading is 25% on top of the base rate
- Penalty rates apply for weekends, nights, public holidays
- Fair Work can help - 13 13 94 for questions or disputes
Disclaimer
Pay rates shown are indicative and based on 2025-26 award rates. Actual rates depend on your specific award, classification, and any applicable enterprise agreement. Always verify your entitlements using the official Fair Work Pay Calculator or by contacting Fair Work directly.