General Retail Award Pay Rates 2026-27
Minimum pay rates for retail workers in Australia under the Retail Award: $27.81/hr at Level 1, $34.76/hr casual, every classification level, penalty rates and junior rates by age. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Retail Minimum Pay Rate
General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004)
$27.81
Base rate/hr
$34.76
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for retail workers is $27.81/hr under the Retail Award. Casuals receive $34.76/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Working in a shop, supermarket, or store? You're almost certainly on the General Retail Industry Award. It covers everyone from cashiers and shelf stackers to store managers. Retail is one of the biggest employers of casuals in Australia, so knowing your rates matters.
Retail Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Retail Employee Level 1 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $54,952.56 |
| Level 2 | Retail Employee Level 2 | $28.45 | $35.56 | $56,217.20 |
| Level 3 | Retail Employee Level 3 | $28.89 | $36.11 | $57,086.64 |
| Level 4 | Retail Employee Level 4 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $58,193.20 |
| Level 5 | Retail Employee Level 5 | $30.66 | $38.33 | $60,584.16 |
| Level 6 | Retail Employee Level 6 | $31.11 | $38.89 | $61,473.36 |
| Level 7 | Retail Employee Level 7 | $32.67 | $40.84 | $64,555.92 |
| Level 8 | Retail Employee Level 8 | $33.99 | $42.49 | $67,164.24 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the General Retail Industry Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual Retail 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 | $27.81 | +$6.95 | $34.76 |
| Level 2 | $28.45 | +$7.11 | $35.56 |
| Level 3 | $28.89 | +$7.22 | $36.11 |
| Level 4 | $29.45 | +$7.36 | $36.81 |
| Level 5 | $30.66 | +$7.67 | $38.33 |
| Level 6 | $31.11 | +$7.78 | $38.89 |
| Level 7 | $32.67 | +$8.17 | $40.84 |
| Level 8 | $33.99 | +$8.50 | $42.49 |
Retail Junior Rates by Age (Under 21)
Retail Award juniors are paid a percentage of the adult rate for their level. Retail Employee Level 1, from 1 July 2026:
| Age | % of adult | Hourly | Casual/hr | Weekly (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 45% | $12.51 | $15.64 | $475.56 |
| 16 | 50% | $13.91 | $17.39 | $528.40 |
| 17 | 60% | $16.69 | $20.86 | $634.08 |
| 18 | 70% | $19.47 | $24.34 | $739.76 |
| 19 | 80% | $22.25 | $27.81 | $845.44 |
| 20 (less than 6 months with the employer) | 90% | $25.03 | $31.29 | $951.12 |
| 20 (6 months or more with the employer) | 100% | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.80 |
| 21+ (adult) | 100% | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.80 |
Source: Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database (junior rate rows, current from 1 July 2026). Casual = hourly × 1.25. A 20 year old moves to the full adult rate after 6 months with the same employer — before that, 90%. Higher classification levels carry the same percentages on a higher adult rate.
Retail Penalty Rates
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
$62.57/hr
2.25x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.25x | $34.76/hr |
| Sunday | 1.5x | $41.71/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.25x | $62.57/hr |
| Evening (6pm–11pm) | 1.25x | $34.76/hr |
| Overtime (first 3 hours) | 1.5x | $41.71/hr |
| Overtime (after 3 hours) | 2x | $55.62/hr |
Full Retail Award Details
View the complete Retail Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Retail Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
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 retail. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Pay Rates by Industry
Retail enforcement cases
Real Fair Work decisions and Federal Court penalties in this industry.
Retail Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for retail workers in 2026?
The minimum base rate for retail workers is $27.81/hr (Level 1) under the General Retail Industry Award. Casual workers receive $34.76/hr including the 25% casual loading. Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Do retail workers get penalty rates on Sundays?
Yes. Retail workers earn 1.5x their base rate on Sundays ($41.72/hr for Level 1). Saturday is 1.25x ($34.76/hr). Public holidays pay 2.5x ($69.53/hr).
What is the evening penalty for retail workers?
Retail workers get a 25% loading for hours worked between 6pm and 11pm on Monday to Friday. That's $34.76/hr for a Level 1 employee.
How many levels are there in the Retail Award?
There are 8 classification levels in the Retail Award, from Level 1 (entry-level, $27.81/hr) up to Level 8 ($33.99/hr). Your level depends on your skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.
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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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