Beauty Therapist Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Beauty Therapists earn at least $27.81/hr (Level 1), $34.76/hr casual — about $1,057 a week full-time — under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020. Every classification level, penalty rates and junior rates below.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Beauty Therapist Pay Rate
Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005)
Beauty therapists perform skin care treatments, waxing, facials, massage, and other beauty services in salons and spas.
$27.81
Base rate/hr
$34.76
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$27.81
Hourly (Casual)
$34.76
Weekly (38hrs)
$1,056.78
Annual (Full-Time)
$54,952.56
What Award Covers Beauty Therapists?
Beauty Therapists in Australia are generally covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005). 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 beauty therapists 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).
Beauty Therapist Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Beauty assistant | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.78 | $54,952.56 |
| Level 2 | Beauty therapist (qualified) | $28.45 | $35.56 | $1,081.10 | $56,217.20 |
| Level 3 | Senior beauty therapist | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
| Level 4 | Salon manager / educator | $30.00 | $37.50 | $1,140.00 | $59,280.00 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Beauty Therapist Pay Rate
Casual beauty therapists receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $27.81/hr to $34.76/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 beauty therapist working 38 hours per week would earn $68,685.76 (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 Beauty Therapist Pay Rate
Part-time beauty therapists receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($27.81/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.
Junior Beauty Therapist Pay Rates (Under 21)
Junior rates: Under 17: 50% of the adult rate. 17 years: 75%. From 18, the full adult rate applies. Apprentices are paid apprentice rates instead.
| Age | % of adult | Hourly | Casual/hr | Weekly (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 17 | 50% | $13.91 | $17.39 | $528.58 |
| 17 | 75% | $20.86 | $26.08 | $792.68 |
| 18+ (adult) | 100% | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.78 |
Hair and Beauty Employee Level 1. Source: Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database (junior rate rows, current from 1 July 2026), operative from 1 July 2026. Casual = hourly × 1.25. Hair & Beauty juniors are paid the full adult rate from 18. Apprentices are on apprentice rates instead.
Beauty Therapist Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when beauty therapists work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($27.81/hr base).
Saturday
$36.99/hr
1.33x base
Sunday
$55.62/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$69.52/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 Beauty Therapist?
Beauty therapists with additional qualifications (e.g., dermal therapies, laser) should be classified at a higher level reflecting their skills.
If you earn less than $27.81/hr as a full-time or part-time beauty therapist, or less than $34.76/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
Compare with Similar Roles
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beauty Therapist | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000005 |
| Hairdresser | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000005 |
| Retail Worker | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000004 |
| Barista | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a beauty therapist get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a beauty therapist in Australia is $27.81/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $34.76/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Hair and Beauty Industry 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 beauty therapist?
Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005), the minimum wage for a beauty therapist starts at $27.81/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $1,056.78/week or $54,952.56/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
What award covers beauty therapists?
Beauty Therapists in Australia are generally covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some beauty therapists may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a beauty therapist?
A casual beauty therapist receives $34.76/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $27.81/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a beauty therapist?
Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, beauty therapists receive: Saturday 1.33x ($36.99/hr), Sunday 2x ($55.62/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($69.52/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.
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