Fitness Pay Rates 2025-26
Minimum pay rates for fitness workers in Australia under the Fitness Award. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Fitness Minimum Pay Rate
Fitness Industry Award 2020 (MA000094)
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for fitness workers is $24.10/hr under the Fitness Award. Casuals receive $30.13/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2025.
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.
Fitness Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Fitness Employee Level 1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | Fitness Employee Level 2 | $25.01 | $31.26 | $49,419.76 |
| Level 3 | Fitness Employee Level 3 | $26.10 | $32.63 | $51,573.60 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Fitness Industry Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual Fitness Pay Rates
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 | $24.10 | +$6.03 | $30.13 |
| Level 2 | $25.01 | +$6.25 | $31.26 |
| Level 3 | $26.10 | +$6.53 | $32.63 |
Fitness Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $24.10/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$30.13/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.25x | $30.13/hr |
| Sunday | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $60.25/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $48.20/hr |
Full Fitness Award Details
View the complete Fitness Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Fitness Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
If your payslip shows less than $24.10/hr (or $30.13/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 →Pay Rates by Industry
Fitness Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for fitness workers in 2026?
The minimum base rate for fitness workers is $24.10/hr (Level 1) under the Fitness Industry Award. Casual workers receive $30.13/hr. Qualified personal trainers at Level 3 earn around $26.38/hr base.
Do personal trainers get penalty rates?
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.
What is a common underpayment issue in the fitness industry?
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.
What are the classification levels in the Fitness Award?
Level 1 covers entry-level roles like front desk and basic gym floor duties ($24.10/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.
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.