Minimum pay rates for pharmacy assistants in Australia under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012)
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
Pharmacy assistants help customers, process prescriptions, manage stock, and provide health product advice in community and hospital pharmacies.
| 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 Pharmacy Industry Award 2020.
Junior rates: Under 17: 50%. 17 years: 60%. 18 years: 70%. 19 years: 80%. 20 years: 90% of the adult rate.
| 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 Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 for precise rates.
Saturday
$30.13/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x 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 | Pharmacy assistant (entry) | $24.10 | $30.13 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | Cert II qualified assistant | $24.73 | $30.91 | $48,866.48 |
| Level 3 | Cert III qualified assistant | $25.68 | $32.10 | $50,743.68 |
| Level 4 | Dispensary assistant (Cert IV) | $27.14 | $33.93 | $53,628.64 |
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 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 →Award pay rates are set nationally, but state-specific public holidays and long service leave rules may affect your total entitlements.
The minimum hourly rate for a pharmacy assistant in Australia 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 Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012), effective from 1 July 2025.
The minimum wage for a pharmacy assistant 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 Pharmacy Industry Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
Pharmacy Assistants are covered by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012). 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 Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, pharmacy assistants receive 1.25x their base rate on Saturdays ($30.13/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($48.20/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($60.25/hr).
The casual rate for a pharmacy assistant 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: Under 17: 50%. 17 years: 60%. 18 years: 70%. 19 years: 80%. 20 years: 90% of the adult rate. Always check the specific junior rate schedule in the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 for exact percentages.
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