Baker Pay Rate Australia 2026

Minimum pay rates for bakers under the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.

Last verified: 2 August 2026

Baker Pay Rate

Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 (MA000073)

Bakers prepare and bake bread, pastries, cakes, and other baked goods. They work in bakeries, supermarkets, and food manufacturing facilities, often starting work in the early hours of the morning.

$27.97

Base rate/hr

$34.96

Casual rate/hr

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Hourly (Full-Time)

$27.97

Hourly (Casual)

$34.96

Weekly (38hrs)

$1,062.86

Annual (Full-Time)

$55,268.72

What Award Covers Bakers?

Bakers in Australia are generally covered by the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 (MA000073). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.

Some bakers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).

View full Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award pay rates →

Baker Classification Levels & Pay Rates

Level	Description	Base Rate/hr	Casual Rate/hr	Weekly (38hrs)	Annual
Level 3	Baker's assistant / dough maker	$27.08	$33.85	$1,029.04	$53,510.08
Level 4	Qualified baker	$27.97	$34.96	$1,062.86	$55,268.72
Level 5	Senior baker / pastry chef	$29.45	$36.81	$1,119.10	$58,193.20
Level 6	Head baker / production supervisor	$30.38	$37.98	$1,154.44	$60,030.88

Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.

Casual Baker Pay Rate

Casual bakers receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $27.97/hr to $34.96/hr.

The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual baker working 38 hours per week would earn $69,080.96 (before tax and penalty rates).

From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →

Part-Time Baker Pay Rate

Part-time bakers receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($27.97/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.

Baker Penalty Rates

Penalty rates apply when bakers work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($27.97/hr base).

Saturday

$41.96/hr

1.5x base

Sunday

$55.94/hr

2x base

Public Holiday

$69.93/hr

2.5x base

Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.

Am I Being Underpaid as a Baker?

Bakers regularly work through the night and early morning. The most common underpayment issue is not receiving proper early morning and overnight shift penalties.

If you earn less than $27.97/hr as a full-time or part-time baker, or less than $34.96/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.

Check if you’re underpaid Calculate back pay owed

Compare with Similar Roles

Job Title	Base Rate	Casual Rate	Annual (FT)	Award
Baker	$27.97/hr	$34.96/hr	$55,268.72	MA000073
Retail Worker	$27.81/hr	$34.76/hr	$54,952.56	MA000004
Barista	$26.44/hr	$33.05/hr	$52,245.44	MA000009
Waiter	$26.44/hr	$33.05/hr	$52,245.44	MA000009

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a baker get paid per hour?

The minimum hourly rate for a baker in Australia is $27.97/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $34.96/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.

What is the minimum wage for a baker?

Under the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 (MA000073), the minimum wage for a baker starts at $27.97/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $1,062.86/week or $55,268.72/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.

What award covers bakers?

Bakers in Australia are generally covered by the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 (MA000073). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some bakers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.

What is the casual rate for a baker?

A casual baker receives $34.96/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $27.97/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.

What are the penalty rates for a baker?

Under the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020, bakers receive: Saturday 1.5x ($41.96/hr), Sunday 2x ($55.94/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($69.93/hr) at Level 1 rates.

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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.