Minimum pay rates for fitness workers in Australia under the Fitness Award. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Fitness Industry Award 2020 (MA000094)
$25.74
Base rate/hr
$32.18
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for fitness workers is $25.74/hr under the Fitness Award. Casuals receive $32.18/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Personal trainers, gym instructors, and fitness centre staff are covered by the Fitness Industry Award. Whether you're running group classes, doing one-on-one PT, or working the front desk at a gym, the award sets your minimum pay. Early mornings and late evenings are standard in this industry, so penalty rates matter.
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Fitness Employee Level 1 | $25.74 | $32.18 | $50,862.24 |
| Level 2 | Fitness Employee Level 2 | $26.44 | $33.05 | $52,245.44 |
| Level 3 | Fitness Employee Level 3 | $27.97 | $34.96 | $55,268.72 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the Fitness Industry Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual workers get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. This compensates for no paid leave, no notice period, and no redundancy pay. Here's what that looks like for each level:
| Level | Base Rate | + 25% Loading | Casual Rate/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $25.74 | +$6.44 | $32.18 |
| Level 2 | $26.44 | +$6.61 | $33.05 |
| Level 3 | $27.97 | +$6.99 | $34.96 |
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $25.74/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$32.18/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$38.61/hr
1.5x base
Public Holiday
$64.35/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.25x | $32.18/hr |
| Sunday | 1.5x | $38.61/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $64.35/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $38.61/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $51.48/hr |
View the complete Fitness Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Fitness Award Pay Rates →If your payslip shows less than $25.74/hr (or $32.18/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in fitness. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →The minimum base rate for fitness workers is $25.74/hr (Level 1) under the Fitness Industry Award. Casual workers receive $32.18/hr. Qualified personal trainers at Level 3 earn $27.97/hr base.
Yes. Saturday pays 1.25x, Sunday pays 1.5x, and public holidays pay 2.5x your base rate. Early morning shifts before 6am also attract penalty loadings.
Many gyms classify personal trainers as independent contractors to avoid paying award rates, super, and leave entitlements. If your gym controls your hours, uniform, and client base, you're likely an employee regardless of what the contract says.
Level 1 covers entry-level roles like front desk and basic gym floor duties ($25.74/hr). Level 2 covers qualified group fitness instructors. Level 3 covers personal trainers with Cert III/IV qualifications. Level 4 covers senior trainers and coordinators.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
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