Kitchen Hand Pay Rate QLD 2026-27
Kitchen Hands in Queensland 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. Rates from 1 July 2026, junior rates by age below.
Kitchen Hand — Minimum Pay Rate (QLD)
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009)
$26.44
Base rate/hr
$33.05
Casual rate/hr
Kitchen hands assist with food preparation, dishwashing, cleaning, and general kitchen duties in restaurants, cafes, and commercial kitchens.
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Queensland Note
Queensland workers are entitled to state-specific public holidays including Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in Brisbane.
Minimum Hourly Rates — Kitchen Hand
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $26.44/hr | $1,004.72 | $52,245.44 |
| Part-time (adult) | $26.44/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $33.05/hr | Varies | Varies |
Junior Rates by Age — Kitchen Hand
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/hr | $16.53/hr | $502.36 |
| 17 | 60% | $15.86/hr | $19.83/hr | $602.68 |
| 18 | 70% | $18.51/hr | $23.14/hr | $703.38 |
| 19 | 85% | $22.47/hr | $28.09/hr | $853.86 |
| 20 | 100% | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $1,004.72 |
| 21+ (adult) | 100% | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $1,004.72 |
Penalty Rates — Kitchen Hand
$33.05/hr
$39.66/hr
$59.49/hr
Classification Levels — Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Kitchen hand (introductory) | $26.44 | $33.05 | $52,245.44 |
| Level 2 | Kitchen hand (experienced) | $27.08 | $33.85 | $53,510.08 |
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 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 →Related Jobs Under the Same Award
More on the Hospitality Award
Hospitality Award (MA000009) overview
Coverage, penalty rates, casual overtime method and break rules.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in hospitality
Employer pay guides under the Hospitality Award
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen hand get paid per hour in Queensland?
The minimum hourly rate for a kitchen hand in Queensland is $26.44/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $33.05/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 2026.
What is the minimum wage for a kitchen hand?
The minimum wage for a kitchen hand is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.72 per week for a 38-hour week, or $52,245.44 per year). This is set by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
What award covers kitchen hands?
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.
Do kitchen hands get penalty rates on weekends?
Yes. Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, kitchen hands receive 1.25x their base rate on Saturdays ($33.05/hr) and 1.5x on Sundays ($39.66/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.25x ($59.49/hr).
What is the casual rate for a kitchen hand?
The casual rate for a kitchen hand is $33.05/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $26.44/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
How much should a 17 year old kitchen hand get paid?
A 17 year old kitchen hand gets at least $15.86/hr (60% of the adult Level 1 (junior employees other than office juniors) rate), or $19.83/hr casual, under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 from 1 July 2026. 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.
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