Minimum pay rates for bakers in Australia under the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 (MA000073)
$25.68
Base rate/hr
$32.10
Casual rate/hr
Bakers prepare and bake bread, pastries, cakes, and other baked goods. They work in bakeries, supermarkets, and food manufacturing facilities, often starting work in the early hours of the morning.
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $25.68/hr | $975.84 | $50,743.68 |
| Part-time (adult) | $25.68/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $32.10/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020.
Saturday
$38.52/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$51.36/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$64.20/hr
2.5x base
Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($25.68/hr base). Casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (before casual loading).
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | Baker's assistant / dough maker | $25.15 | $31.44 | $49,696.40 |
| Level 4 | Qualified baker | $25.68 | $32.10 | $50,743.68 |
| Level 5 | Senior baker / pastry chef | $26.74 | $33.43 | $52,838.24 |
| Level 6 | Head baker / production supervisor | $28.54 | $35.68 | $56,395.04 |
View full Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 pay rates →
Bakers regularly work through the night and early morning. The most common underpayment issue is not receiving proper early morning and overnight shift penalties.
If you think you are being paid below the minimum rate, you can calculate your potential back pay and check your rights.
Check If You Are Underpaid →Award pay rates are set nationally, but state-specific public holidays and long service leave rules may affect your total entitlements.
The minimum hourly rate for a baker in Australia is $25.68/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $32.10/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 (MA000073), effective from 1 July 2025.
The minimum wage for a baker is $25.68 per hour ($975.84 per week for a 38-hour week, or $50,743.68 per year). This is set by the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
Bakers are covered by the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 (MA000073). This Modern Award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and leave entitlements. Your employer may also have an enterprise agreement with different (usually higher) rates.
Yes. Under the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020, bakers receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($38.52/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($51.36/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($64.20/hr).
The casual rate for a baker is $32.10/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $25.68/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
Qualified bakers hold trade certificates. Apprentice rates apply during training, not junior rates. The Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 does not have specific junior rates for this classification.
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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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