Hairdresser Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Hairdressers 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 2026Hairdresser Pay Rate
Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005)
Hairdressers cut, colour, style, and treat hair in salons and barbershops. A Certificate III in Hairdressing is the standard qualification.
$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 Hairdressers?
Hairdressers 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 hairdressers 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).
Hairdresser Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Junior hairdresser / salon assistant | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.78 | $54,952.56 |
| Level 2 | Hairdresser (qualified) | $28.45 | $35.56 | $1,081.10 | $56,217.20 |
| Level 3 | Senior hairdresser | $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 Hairdresser Pay Rate
Casual hairdressers 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 hairdresser 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 Hairdresser Pay Rate
Part-time hairdressers 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 Hairdresser 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.
Hairdresser Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when hairdressers 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 Hairdresser?
Hairdressers working as 'chair renters' or 'booth renters' may actually be employees if the salon controls their hours and clients. This could mean you are entitled to award rates and entitlements.
If you earn less than $27.81/hr as a full-time or part-time hairdresser, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdresser | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000005 |
| Beauty Therapist | $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 hairdresser get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a hairdresser 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 hairdresser?
Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005), the minimum wage for a hairdresser 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 hairdressers?
Hairdressers 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 hairdressers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a hairdresser?
A casual hairdresser 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 hairdresser?
Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, hairdressers receive: Saturday 1.33x ($36.99/hr), Sunday 2x ($55.62/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($69.52/hr) at Level 1 rates.
Related Tools
FairWork Mate AI
Is the figure right for you?
The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.
Just need today sorted? A Day Pass is 25 questions over 24 hours, no account. Get a Day Pass — $4.99
Get pay and rights updates for your job
Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.
Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Embed the Hairdresser Pay Rate Australia 2026-27 on your site, free. Get the code →