Waiter Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Waiters earn at least $26.44/hr (Level 1), $33.05/hr casual — about $1,005 a week full-time — under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. Every classification level, penalty rates and junior rates below.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Waiter Pay Rate
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009)
Waiters and waitresses take orders, serve food and beverages, and provide customer service in restaurants, cafes, pubs, and hotels.
$26.44
Base rate/hr
$33.05
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$26.44
Hourly (Casual)
$33.05
Weekly (38hrs)
$1,004.72
Annual (Full-Time)
$52,245.44
What Award Covers Waiters?
Waiters 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 waiters 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).
Waiter Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Food runner / introductory | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.72 | $52,245.44 |
| Level 2 | Waiter / waitress | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1,029.04 | $53,510.08 |
| Level 3 | Experienced waiter / senior | $27.97 | $34.96 | $1,062.86 | $55,268.72 |
| Level 4 | Maitre d' / restaurant supervisor | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Waiter Pay Rate
Casual waiters receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $26.44/hr to $33.05/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 waiter working 38 hours per week would earn $65,306.80 (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 Waiter Pay Rate
Part-time waiters receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($26.44/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 Waiter Pay Rates (Under 21)
Junior rates apply to employees under 20. Under 17: 50% of the adult rate. 17 years: 60%. 18 years: 70%. 19 years: 85%. 20 years: 100%. Juniors aged 18+ who serve alcohol must be paid the adult rate.
| Age | % of adult | Hourly | Casual/hr | Weekly (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 17 | 50% | $13.22 | $16.53 | $502.36 |
| 17 | 60% | $15.86 | $19.83 | $602.68 |
| 18 | 70% | $18.51 | $23.14 | $703.38 |
| 19 | 85% | $22.47 | $28.09 | $853.86 |
| 20 | 100% | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.72 |
| 21+ (adult) | 100% | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.72 |
Level 1 (junior employees other than office juniors). 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. Hospitality juniors reach the full adult rate at 20, a year earlier than retail or fast food. Juniors aged 18 or over who are required to serve alcohol must be paid the adult rate for their level.
Waiter Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when waiters work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($26.44/hr base).
Saturday
$33.05/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$39.66/hr
1.5x base
Public Holiday
$59.49/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 Waiter?
The hospitality industry has the highest rate of wage non-compliance in Australia. Issues include unpaid trial shifts, cash-in-hand payments below award rates, and failure to pay penalty rates for evenings and weekends.
If you earn less than $26.44/hr as a full-time or part-time waiter, or less than $33.05/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 waiter get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a waiter in Australia is $26.44/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $33.05/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 waiter?
Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009), the minimum wage for a waiter starts at $26.44/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $1,004.72/week or $52,245.44/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
What award covers waiters?
Waiters 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 waiters may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a waiter?
A casual waiter receives $33.05/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $26.44/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a waiter?
Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, waiters receive: Saturday 1.25x ($33.05/hr), Sunday 1.5x ($39.66/hr), and Public Holiday 2.25x ($59.49/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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