Minimum pay rates for pharmacy workers in Australia under the Pharmacy Award. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012)
$27.81
Base rate/hr
$34.76
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for pharmacy workers is $27.81/hr under the Pharmacy Award. Casuals receive $34.76/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, and dispensary technicians are covered by the Pharmacy Industry Award. Community pharmacies are the biggest employer under this award. With many pharmacies open on weekends and public holidays, penalty rates are a significant part of your pay.
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Pharmacy Assistant Level 1 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $54,952.56 |
| Level 2 | Pharmacy Assistant Level 2 | $28.45 | $35.56 | $56,217.20 |
| Level 3 | Pharmacy Assistant Level 3 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $58,193.20 |
| Level 4 | Pharmacy Assistant Level 4 | $30.66 | $38.33 | $60,584.16 |
| Pharmacist | Pharmacist | $41.74 | $52.18 | $82,478.24 |
| Experienced | Experienced Pharmacist | $45.72 | $57.15 | $90,342.72 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the Pharmacy 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 | $27.81 | +$6.95 | $34.76 |
| Level 2 | $28.45 | +$7.11 | $35.56 |
| Level 3 | $29.45 | +$7.36 | $36.81 |
| Level 4 | $30.66 | +$7.67 | $38.33 |
| Pharmacist | $41.74 | +$10.44 | $52.18 |
| Experienced | $45.72 | +$11.43 | $57.15 |
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $27.81/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$34.76/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$41.71/hr
1.5x base
Public Holiday
$69.52/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.25x | $34.76/hr |
| Sunday | 1.5x | $41.71/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $69.52/hr |
| Overtime (first 3 hours) | 1.5x | $41.71/hr |
| Overtime (after 3 hours) | 2x | $55.62/hr |
View the complete Pharmacy Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Pharmacy Award Pay Rates →If your payslip shows less than $27.81/hr (or $34.76/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in pharmacy. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Real Fair Work decisions and Federal Court penalties in this industry.
The minimum base rate for a pharmacy assistant is $27.81/hr (Level 1) under the Pharmacy Industry Award. Casual pharmacy assistants receive $34.76/hr. A qualified pharmacist earns significantly more at $41.74/hr base.
Yes. Saturday pays 1.25x and Sunday pays 1.5x under the Pharmacy Industry Award. Public holidays pay 2.5x. A Level 1 pharmacy assistant working a Sunday earns $41.72/hr.
Many pharmacy assistants are incorrectly classified at Level 1 when their duties warrant a higher level. If you dispense medications, manage stock systems, or supervise other staff, you may be entitled to Level 2 or 3 rates.
Yes. Registered pharmacists are covered at higher classification levels under the Pharmacy Industry Award. Pharmacist-in-charge and pharmacist manager roles attract even higher rates. Many pharmacists also negotiate above-award pay.
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