Minimum pay rates for hairdressing workers in Australia under the Hair & Beauty Award. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005)
$26.55
Base rate/hr
$33.19
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for hairdressing workers is $26.55/hr under the Hair & Beauty Award. Casuals receive $33.19/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2025.
Hairdressers, barbers, and beauty therapists are covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award. If you're working in a salon, barbershop, or spa, these are the rates your boss needs to be paying. Saturday work is standard in this industry, so the penalty rates matter.
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Hair & Beauty Level 1 | $26.55 | $33.19 | $52,462.80 |
| Level 2 | Hair & Beauty Level 2 | $26.62 | $33.28 | $52,601.12 |
| Level 3 | Hair & Beauty Level 3 | $27.73 | $34.66 | $54,794.48 |
| Level 4 | Hair & Beauty Level 4 | $28.93 | $36.16 | $57,165.68 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Hair and Beauty 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 | $26.55 | +$6.64 | $33.19 |
| Level 2 | $26.62 | +$6.66 | $33.28 |
| Level 3 | $27.73 | +$6.93 | $34.66 |
| Level 4 | $28.93 | +$7.23 | $36.16 |
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $26.55/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$35.31/hr
1.33x base
Sunday
$53.10/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$66.38/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.33x | $35.31/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $53.10/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $66.38/hr |
| Overtime (first 3 hours) | 1.5x | $39.83/hr |
| Overtime (after 3 hours) | 2x | $53.10/hr |
View the complete Hair & Beauty Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Hair & Beauty Award Pay Rates →If your payslip shows less than $26.55/hr (or $33.19/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in hairdressing. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →The minimum base rate for hairdressers is $24.95/hr (Level 1) under the Hair and Beauty Award. A qualified hairdresser at Level 3 earns $26.10/hr. Salon managers at Level 4 earn $27.28/hr base.
Yes. Saturday attracts a 25% loading (1.25x), so a Level 1 hairdresser earns $31.19/hr. Sunday is double time (2.0x = $48.20/hr). Public holidays pay 2.5x ($60.25/hr).
Hairdressing apprentices have specific rates set out in the Hair and Beauty Award, generally as a percentage of the Level 3 rate. First-year apprentices earn significantly less than qualified hairdressers. Use the apprentice wages calculator for exact rates.
Yes. The Hair and Beauty Industry Award covers both hairdressers and beauty therapists, including nail technicians, makeup artists, and spa workers. The classification levels and rates are the same.
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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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