Restaurant Award Pay Rates 2025-26
All pay rates under the Restaurant Industry Award 2020 (MA000003) for 2025-26, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Restaurant Award
MA000003 · Restaurants
Common roles: Chef, Cook, Sous chef, Kitchen manager, Dishwasher
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
Classification Pay Rates — Restaurant Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $915.80 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | $25.28 | $31.60 | $960.64 | $49,953.28 |
| Level 3 | $26.10 | $32.63 | $991.80 | $51,573.60 |
| Level 4 | $27.32 | $34.15 | $1,038.16 | $53,984.32 |
| Level 5 | $28.60 | $35.75 | $1,086.80 | $56,513.60 |
| Level 6 | $30.16 | $37.70 | $1,146.08 | $59,596.16 |
Penalty Rates — Restaurant Award
Saturday
$30.13/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Public Holiday
$54.23/hr
2.25x base
Evening (7pm–midnight)
$27.72/hr
1.15x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$48.20/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($24.10/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
Break Rules — Restaurant Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–7 hours | 30 min | None | No |
| 7–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $54.23/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $54.23/hr |
| Retail Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $60.25/hr |
| Clerks Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Restaurant Award pay rate for 2025-26?
Under the Restaurant Award (MA000003), the Level 1 base rate is $24.10/hr from 1 July 2025. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $30.13/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Restaurant Award?
Permanent employees under the Restaurant Award receive 1.5x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $36.15/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Restaurant Award?
Public holiday work under the Restaurant Award is paid at 2.25x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $54.23/hr.
Who is covered by the Restaurant Award?
The Restaurant Award covers employees in the restaurants industry. Common job titles include Chef, Cook, Sous chef, Kitchen manager, Dishwasher, Head waiter, Restaurant manager.
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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