Kitchen Hand Pay Rate Australia 2026
Minimum pay rates for kitchen hands under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Kitchen Hand Pay Rate
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009)
Kitchen hands assist with food preparation, dishwashing, cleaning, and general kitchen duties in restaurants, cafes, and commercial kitchens.
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$24.10
Hourly (Casual)
$30.13
Weekly (38hrs)
$915.80
Annual (Full-Time)
$47,621.60
What Award Covers Kitchen Hands?
Kitchen Hands in Australia are generally covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009). 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 kitchen hands 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).
Kitchen Hand Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Kitchen hand (introductory) | $24.10 | $30.13 | $915.80 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | Kitchen hand (experienced) | $25.28 | $31.60 | $960.64 | $49,953.28 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Kitchen Hand Pay Rate
Casual kitchen hands receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $24.10/hr to $30.13/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 kitchen hand working 38 hours per week would earn $59,536.88 (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 Kitchen Hand Pay Rate
Part-time kitchen hands receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($24.10/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 Kitchen Hand Pay Rates
Junior rates apply to employees under 21. Under 18: 50% of adult rate. 18 years: 60%. 19 years: 70%. 20 years: 80%.
Junior rates are a percentage of the full adult rate. They are designed to recognise that younger employees may have less experience and training.
Kitchen Hand Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when kitchen hands work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($24.10/hr base).
Saturday
$30.13/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Public Holiday
$54.23/hr
2.25x 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 Kitchen Hand?
Kitchen hands are among the most underpaid workers in hospitality. Issues include cash-in-hand payments, unpaid trial shifts, and not receiving proper penalty rates.
If you earn less than $24.10/hr as a full-time or part-time kitchen hand, or less than $30.13/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen hand get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a kitchen hand in Australia is $24.10/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $30.13/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Hospitality Industry (General) 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 kitchen hand?
Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009), the minimum wage for a kitchen hand starts at $24.10/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $915.80/week or $47,621.60/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $24.10/hr.
What award covers kitchen hands?
Kitchen Hands in Australia are generally covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some kitchen hands may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a kitchen hand?
A casual kitchen hand receives $30.13/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $24.10/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a kitchen hand?
Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, kitchen hands receive: Saturday 1.25x ($30.13/hr), Sunday 1.5x ($36.15/hr), and Public Holiday 2.25x ($54.23/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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