Minimum pay rates for kitchen hands in New South Wales under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009)
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
Kitchen hands assist with food preparation, dishwashing, cleaning, and general kitchen duties in restaurants, cafes, and commercial kitchens.
New South Wales Note
New South Wales has the highest number of Fair Work claims. Employers must display a Fair Work Information Statement.
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $24.10/hr | $915.80 | $47,621.60 |
| Part-time (adult) | $24.10/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $30.13/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020.
Junior rates apply to employees under 21. Under 18: 50% of adult rate. 18 years: 60%. 19 years: 70%. 20 years: 80%.
| Age | Approx. Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | $9.64/hr | 40% of adult rate |
| 16 years | $12.05/hr | 50% of adult rate |
| 17 years | $14.46/hr | 60% of adult rate |
| 18 years | $16.87/hr | 70% of adult rate |
| 19 years | $19.28/hr | 80% of adult rate |
| 20 years | $21.69/hr | 90% of adult rate |
| 21+ (adult) | $24.10/hr | 100% of adult rate |
Exact junior percentages vary by award. Check the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 for precise rates.
Saturday
$30.13/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Public Holiday
$54.23/hr
2.25x base
Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($24.10/hr base). Casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (before casual loading).
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Kitchen hand (introductory) | $24.10 | $30.13 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | Kitchen hand (experienced) | $25.28 | $31.60 | $49,953.28 |
View full Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 pay rates →
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 think you are being paid below the minimum rate, you can calculate your potential back pay and check your rights.
Check If You Are Underpaid →The minimum hourly rate for a kitchen hand in New South Wales is $24.10/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $30.13/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009), effective from 1 July 2025.
The minimum wage for a kitchen hand is $24.10 per hour ($915.80 per week for a 38-hour week, or $47,621.60 per year). This is set by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
Kitchen Hands are covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009). This Modern Award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and leave entitlements. Your employer may also have an enterprise agreement with different (usually higher) rates.
Yes. Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, kitchen hands receive 1.25x their base rate on Saturdays ($30.13/hr) and 1.5x on Sundays ($36.15/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.25x ($54.23/hr).
The casual rate for a kitchen hand is $30.13/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $24.10/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
Junior rates apply to employees under 21. Under 18: 50% of adult rate. 18 years: 60%. 19 years: 70%. 20 years: 80%. Always check the specific junior rate schedule in the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 for exact percentages.
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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is 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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