KFC Australia Pay Rates 2026: Crew Member to Manager Pay

KFC Australia is covered by the Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003) — the same award that covers McDonald's, Hungry Jack's, Subway, and most fast-food chains. Most KFC stores are franchises but the award applies whether you're with a franchisee or with KFC corporate.

From 1 July 2025 under the Fast Food Industry Award:

• Level 1 (crew member, food prep): $27.81/hr permanent / $34.76/hr casual
• Level 2 (cook, team trainer): $29.45/hr permanent / $36.81/hr casual
• Level 3 (shift supervisor): $29.91/hr permanent / $37.39/hr casual

Restaurant managers paid on annualised salary should reconcile annually that the salary covered award entitlements for the actual hours worked.

The Fast Food Industry Award has a flatter junior scale than retail:

• Under 16: 40% of adult — $11.12/hr
• 16: 50% — $13.91/hr
• 17: 60% — $16.69/hr
• 18: 70% — $19.47/hr
• 19: 80% — $22.25/hr
• 20: 90% — $25.03/hr

Permanent adult Level 1 ($27.81/hr):

• Saturday: 125% — $34.76/hr
• Sunday: 150% — $41.71/hr
• Public holiday: 225% — $62.57/hr
• 10pm to midnight: 110% — $30.59/hr
• Midnight to 6am: 115% — $31.98/hr

General award-compliance issues that come up across the fast food sector. This is a checklist for your own payslip, not a finding about KFC.

Watch for:

• Junior rate not updated after birthdays
• Late-night loadings missed (10pm onwards triggers loading)
• "Working through breaks" without pay — minimum 30-minute unpaid break is required after 5 hours, not negotiable
• Shift supervisor work paid at Level 1 instead of Level 3

If your role involves cash-up, opening/closing duties, or supervising other crew, you may be entitled to Level 2 or 3.

Pull your roster, payslips, and use our back-pay calculator to compute the gap. Email your store manager or KFC HR with the figures. If unresolved within 14 days, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94. You have six years to recover unpaid wages.