Red Rooster Pay Rates 2026: What You Should Be Getting Paid

Red Rooster crew are covered by the Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003). It sets the minimum hourly rate — Red Rooster (and its franchisees) can pay above it under an enterprise agreement, but never below the award floor.

Check your rate with our pay calculator or penalty rates calculator.

As of 1 July 2026, the Fast Food Industry Award adult minimum rates are:

• Level 1 (crew — counter, kitchen, drive-through): $27.81/hr
• Level 2 (experienced crew / crew trainer): $29.45/hr
• Level 3 (shift supervisor): $29.91/hr

Casuals add 25% — a Level 1 adult casual gets at least $34.76/hr. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, these rates rise 4.75%.

Junior rates are a percentage of the adult Level 1 rate:

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

A change for 18-20 year olds starts on 1 December 2026. In the junior rates case (AM2024/24) the Fair Work Commission decided that 18, 19 and 20 year olds under the Fast Food Industry Award who have been with their employer for more than 6 months will move to the full adult rate in steps. From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 December 2026, an 18 year old goes from 70% to 75% of the adult rate, a 19 year old from 80% to 85%, and a 20 year old from 90% to 95%. Rates then rise 5 percentage points each July and December: 20 year olds reach the full adult rate from 1 July 2027, 19 year olds from 1 July 2028 and 18 year olds from 1 July 2029. Nothing changes for under-18s, or for 18 to 20 year olds in their first 6 months with the employer. Sources: FWC decisions [2026] FWCFB 75 (31 March 2026) and [2026] FWCFB 222 (26 August 2026); updated 3 October 2026. See our junior rates change calculator for what it means for your pay.

Penalty rates for a Level 1 adult permanent crew member:

• Saturday: 125% — $34.76/hr
• Sunday: 150% — $41.72/hr
• Public holidays: 225% — $62.57/hr
• Late night (10pm–midnight): 115% — $31.98/hr
• After midnight: 130% — $36.15/hr

Casuals get 150% on Saturdays, 175% on Sundays and 250% on public holidays (on the base rate). Check yours with the penalty rates calculator.

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

• Missing penalty rates on weekend, public-holiday and late-night shifts.
• Age increases not applied after a birthday.
• Unpaid setup / clean-down time before opening or after close.
• Wrong classification for crew doing supervisory work.

If your pay's wrong, the Fair Work Ombudsman can help on 13 13 94 — free and confidential.