Harvey Norman Pay Rates 2026: Sales Staff & Commission Pay
Harvey Norman sales staff pay rates 2026 — hourly base, casual loading, weekend penalties, and how commission and franchise pay work.
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Harvey Norman pay structure
Most Harvey Norman stores are franchised. This means the franchisee — not Harvey Norman Holdings — is your employer. Pay is governed by the General Retail Industry Award (MA000004), with commission paid on top.
This applies to sales consultants in furniture, electrical, computers, bedding, flooring, and the showroom floor. Some larger franchises run separate enterprise agreements.
Harvey Norman base hourly rates 2026
From 1 July 2025:
- Level 1: $25.44/hr permanent / $31.80/hr casual
- Level 3 (specialised roles): $26.47/hr permanent
Commission percentages at Harvey Norman vary widely by franchise and category but typically range 2-5% of sales above target. Some franchisees pay a draw-against-commission, where weekly minimums are reconciled monthly.
How draw-against-commission works
A "draw" is a guaranteed weekly amount offset against future commission. The legal requirement: the draw plus any commission paid must, over each pay period, equal at least the award rate for every hour you worked, including weekend and evening penalties.
If a slow month leaves you in commission "debt" to the franchise, that debt cannot be collected from future award-rate pay. The award rate is the minimum — the franchise carries the commission debt, not you.
Penalty rates
Permanent adult Level 1 figures:
- Saturday: $31.80/hr
- Sunday: $38.16/hr
- Public holiday: $57.24/hr
- After 6pm Mon-Fri: $31.80/hr
Common Harvey Norman pay issues
Issues raised with the Fair Work Ombudsman over Harvey Norman franchises include:
- Commission "debt" being deducted from award-base pay
- Weekend penalties not being paid because "you got commission anyway"
- Wrong classification level for senior or specialist consultants
- Annual leave loading not paid
If you've been told commission "covers" weekend rates, that's incorrect. Penalty rates are payable in addition.
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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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Six years running payroll for a Western Sydney commercial builder before moving to compliance writing and contract payroll. Registered BAS Agent (TPB). Cert IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. Writes about pay calculations, superannuation, and the 2026 Payday Super rollout. Based in Cabramatta, Sydney.
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