Butcher Pay Rate in NSW 2025-26
Minimum pay rates for butchers in New South Wales under the Meat Industry Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Butcher — Minimum Pay Rate (NSW)
Meat Industry Award 2020 (MA000033)
$27.14
Base rate/hr
$33.93
Casual rate/hr
Butchers prepare, cut, and sell meat products. They work in retail butcher shops, supermarkets, and meat processing facilities.
New South Wales Note
New South Wales has the highest number of Fair Work claims. Employers must display a Fair Work Information Statement.
Minimum Hourly Rates — Butcher
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $27.14/hr | $1,031.32 | $53,628.64 |
| Part-time (adult) | $27.14/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $33.93/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Meat Industry Award 2020.
Penalty Rates — Butcher
Saturday
$40.71/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$54.28/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$67.85/hr
2.5x base
Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($27.14/hr base). Casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (before casual loading).
Classification Levels — Meat Industry Award 2020
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | Meat packer / process worker | $25.68 | $32.10 | $50,743.68 |
| Level 4 | Qualified butcher / meat cutter | $27.14 | $33.93 | $53,628.64 |
| Level 5 | Senior butcher / smallgoods maker | $28.54 | $35.68 | $56,395.04 |
| Level 6 | Head butcher / department manager | $29.71 | $37.14 | $58,706.96 |
Am I Being Underpaid as a Butcher?
Butchers frequently start work very early for deliveries and preparation. Common issues include not receiving early morning penalty rates and unpaid time spent cleaning up after trading hours.
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 →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a butcher get paid per hour in New South Wales?
The minimum hourly rate for a butcher in New South Wales is $27.14/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $33.93/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Meat Industry Award 2020 (MA000033), effective from 1 July 2025.
What is the minimum wage for a butcher?
The minimum wage for a butcher is $27.14 per hour ($1,031.32 per week for a 38-hour week, or $53,628.64 per year). This is set by the Meat Industry Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
What award covers butchers?
Butchers are covered by the Meat Industry Award 2020 (MA000033). 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.
Do butchers get penalty rates on weekends?
Yes. Under the Meat Industry Award 2020, butchers receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($40.71/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($54.28/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($67.85/hr).
What is the casual rate for a butcher?
The casual rate for a butcher is $33.93/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $27.14/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
How much should a 17 year old butcher get paid?
Qualified butchers hold trade certificates. Apprentice rates apply during training, not junior rates. The Meat Industry Award 2020 does not have specific junior rates for this classification.
Useful Tools
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Get notified when rates change
Free alerts when minimum wage, award rates, or workplace laws are updated.
Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Learn more
Complete guide to modern award pay rates for 2025-26. Covers the 3.75% increase, how to find your award, minimum wage levels, penalty rates, overtime, and allowances under the Fair Work system.
Coles Pay Rates 2026: Award Rates by Age, Casual & Penalty RatesWhat Coles workers should be getting paid in 2026. Full breakdown of hourly rates by age, casual loading, weekend and public holiday penalty rates under the General Retail Industry Award.
Bunnings Pay Rates 2026: Casual, Part-Time & Weekend RatesBunnings pays above the award — here's exactly how much. Full breakdown of Bunnings hourly rates, casual loading, weekend penalties, and how Bunnings compares to the General Retail Industry Award minimum.