Pharmacy Assistant Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Pharmacy Assistants earn at least $27.81/hr (Level 1), $34.76/hr casual — about $1,057 a week full-time — under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020. Every classification level, penalty rates and junior rates below.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Pharmacy Assistant Pay Rate
Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012)
Pharmacy assistants help customers, process prescriptions, manage stock, and provide health product advice in community and hospital pharmacies.
$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 Pharmacy Assistants?
Pharmacy Assistants in Australia are generally covered by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012). 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 pharmacy assistants 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).
Pharmacy Assistant Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Pharmacy assistant (entry) | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.78 | $54,952.56 |
| Level 2 | Cert II qualified assistant | $28.45 | $35.56 | $1,081.10 | $56,217.20 |
| Level 3 | Cert III qualified assistant | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
| Level 4 | Dispensary assistant (Cert IV) | $30.66 | $38.33 | $1,165.08 | $60,584.16 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Pharmacy Assistant Pay Rate
Casual pharmacy assistants 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 pharmacy assistant 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 Pharmacy Assistant Pay Rate
Part-time pharmacy assistants 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 Pharmacy Assistant Pay Rates (Under 21)
Junior rates: Under 17: 50%. 17 years: 60%. 18 years: 70%. 19 years: 80%. 20 years: 90% of the adult rate.
The FWC pay database does not publish this award's junior schedule as separate rows, so no junior figure is quoted here — check the junior rates clause of the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, or ask the advisor above.
Pharmacy Assistant Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when pharmacy assistants work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($27.81/hr base).
Saturday
$34.76/hr
1.25x 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 Pharmacy Assistant?
Pharmacy assistants often work evenings and weekends where penalty rates apply. Ensure you are receiving the correct penalty rate loading for all hours outside ordinary hours.
If you earn less than $27.81/hr as a full-time or part-time pharmacy assistant, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Assistant | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000012 |
| 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 pharmacy assistant get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a pharmacy assistant in Australia is $27.81/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $34.76/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Pharmacy 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 pharmacy assistant?
Under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012), the minimum wage for a pharmacy assistant 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 pharmacy assistants?
Pharmacy Assistants in Australia are generally covered by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some pharmacy assistants may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a pharmacy assistant?
A casual pharmacy assistant 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 pharmacy assistant?
Under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, pharmacy assistants receive: Saturday 1.25x ($34.76/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 Pharmacy Assistant Pay Rate Australia 2026-27 on your site, free. Get the code →