Big W Pay Rates 2026: Hourly Rate, Casual & Weekend Pay

Big W is owned by Woolworths Group. Big W workers are covered by the General Retail Industry Award (MA000004), the same award that covers Coles, Target, and Kmart. Woolworths Group also runs enterprise agreements at some banners, but the award is the legal floor.

This covers checkout, customer service, replenishment, online fulfilment, and most floor and stockroom roles at Big W.

Award minimum rates from 1 July 2025:

• Level 1: $27.81/hr permanent / $34.76/hr casual
• Level 2: $28.45/hr permanent / $35.56/hr casual
• Level 3: $28.89/hr permanent / $36.11/hr casual
• Level 4: $29.45/hr permanent / $36.81/hr casual

Most Big W team members are Level 1. If you handle till banking, train new staff, or supervise a section, push for Level 2 or 3.

Under 21? You're paid a percentage of the adult Level 1 rate:

• Under 16: $12.51/hr (45%)
• 16: $13.91/hr (50%)
• 17: $16.69/hr (60%)
• 18: $19.47/hr (70%)
• 19: $22.25/hr (80%)
• 20: $25.03/hr (90%)

The increase applies from the first pay period after your birthday — check your next payslip carefully.

Working outside ordinary hours pays more. Permanent adult Level 1:

• Saturday: $34.76/hr (125%)
• Sunday: $41.71/hr (150%)
• Public holiday: $62.57/hr (225%)
• Evening (after 6pm): $34.76/hr (125%)

Casual penalty multipliers apply on top of the casual base ($34.76/hr) — Sunday casual is 175% of the un-loaded base, and public holidays are 250%.

Common pay errors to check for under the General Retail Industry Award include:

• Annualised salary set-off failures for salaried managers
• Public holiday penalty miscalculations
• Junior rate not updated after birthdays
• Wrong classification level applied

If your pay looks short, compare your payslip against the rates above and raise it with payroll first.

Use our payslip checker with your hourly rate, hours, and shift times to flag any mismatch with the award. If you find a gap, raise it with Big W payroll first. If unresolved, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 — the FWO recovers underpayments for free.