Minimum pay rates for retail workers in Victoria under the General Retail Industry Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004)
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
Retail workers include shop assistants, cashiers, shelf stockers, and sales staff working in stores, supermarkets, and shopping centres.
Victoria Note
Victoria has state-based long service leave that may differ from the NES. Check your entitlements with the Victorian Wage Inspectorate.
| 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 General Retail Industry Award 2020.
Junior rates apply to employees under 21. Under 16: 36% of adult rate. 16 years: 47.3%. 17 years: 57.3%. 18 years: 68.3%. 19 years: 82.5%. 20 years: 97.7%.
| 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 General Retail Industry Award 2020 for precise rates.
Saturday
$30.13/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$36.15/hr
1.5x 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 | Retail employee (introductory) | $24.10 | $30.13 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | Experienced sales assistant | $24.73 | $30.91 | $48,866.48 |
| Level 3 | Specialised retail employee | $25.15 | $31.44 | $49,696.40 |
| Level 4 | Supervisor/2IC | $25.68 | $32.10 | $50,743.68 |
| Level 5 | Department/section manager | $26.74 | $33.43 | $52,838.24 |
| Level 6 | Assistant store manager | $27.25 | $34.06 | $53,846.00 |
| Level 7 | Store manager (small) | $28.54 | $35.68 | $56,395.04 |
| Level 8 | Store manager (large) | $29.71 | $37.14 | $58,706.96 |
Retail is one of the most common industries for wage underpayment in Australia. Issues often arise around penalty rate miscalculations and unpaid overtime.
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 retail worker in Victoria 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 General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004), effective from 1 July 2025.
The minimum wage for a retail worker 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 General Retail Industry Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
Retail Workers are covered by the General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004). 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 General Retail Industry Award 2020, retail workers receive 1.25x their base rate on Saturdays ($30.13/hr) and 1.5x on Sundays ($36.15/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($60.25/hr).
The casual rate for a retail worker 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 16: 36% of adult rate. 16 years: 47.3%. 17 years: 57.3%. 18 years: 68.3%. 19 years: 82.5%. 20 years: 97.7%. Always check the specific junior rate schedule in the General Retail Industry Award 2020 for exact percentages.
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