Butcher Pay Rate Australia 2026
Minimum pay rates for butchers under the Meat Industry Award 2020, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Butcher Pay Rate
Meat Industry Award 2020 (MA000059)
Butchers prepare, cut, and sell meat products. They work in retail butcher shops, supermarkets, and meat processing facilities.
$27.23
Base rate/hr
$34.04
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$27.23
Hourly (Casual)
$34.04
Weekly (38hrs)
$1,034.74
Annual (Full-Time)
$53,806.48
What Award Covers Butchers?
Butchers in Australia are generally covered by the Meat Industry Award 2020 (MA000059). 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 butchers 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).
Butcher Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | Meat packer / process worker | $26.60 | $33.25 | $1,010.80 | $52,561.60 |
| Level 4 | Qualified butcher / meat cutter | $27.23 | $34.04 | $1,034.74 | $53,806.48 |
| Level 5 | Senior butcher / smallgoods maker | $27.71 | $34.64 | $1,052.98 | $54,754.96 |
| Level 6 | Head butcher / department manager | $28.28 | $35.35 | $1,074.64 | $55,881.28 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Butcher Pay Rate
Casual butchers receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $27.23/hr to $34.04/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 butcher working 38 hours per week would earn $67,263.04 (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 Butcher Pay Rate
Part-time butchers receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($27.23/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.
Butcher Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when butchers work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($27.23/hr base).
Saturday
$40.85/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$54.46/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$68.08/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 Butcher?
Butchers frequently start work very early for deliveries and preparation. Common issues include not receiving early morning penalty rates and unpaid time spent cleaning up after trading hours.
If you earn less than $27.23/hr as a full-time or part-time butcher, or less than $34.04/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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butcher | $27.23/hr | $34.04/hr | $53,806.48 | MA000059 |
| 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 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a butcher get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a butcher in Australia is $27.23/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $34.04/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Meat 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 butcher?
Under the Meat Industry Award 2020 (MA000059), the minimum wage for a butcher starts at $27.23/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $1,034.74/week or $53,806.48/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
What award covers butchers?
Butchers in Australia are generally covered by the Meat Industry Award 2020 (MA000059). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some butchers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a butcher?
A casual butcher receives $34.04/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $27.23/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a butcher?
Under the Meat Industry Award 2020, butchers receive: Saturday 1.5x ($40.85/hr), Sunday 2x ($54.46/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($68.08/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.