Waiter Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Waiters in Australia 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.
Waiter — Minimum Pay Rate
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009)
$26.44
Base rate/hr
$33.05
Casual rate/hr
Waiters and waitresses take orders, serve food and beverages, and provide customer service in restaurants, cafes, pubs, and hotels.
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Minimum Hourly Rates — Waiter
| 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 — Waiter
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 — Waiter
$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 | Food runner / introductory | $26.44 | $33.05 | $52,245.44 |
| Level 2 | Waiter / waitress | $27.08 | $33.85 | $53,510.08 |
| Level 3 | Experienced waiter / senior | $27.97 | $34.96 | $55,268.72 |
| Level 4 | Maitre d' / restaurant supervisor | $29.45 | $36.81 | $58,193.20 |
Am I Being Underpaid as a Waiter?
The hospitality industry has the highest rate of wage non-compliance in Australia. Issues include unpaid trial shifts, cash-in-hand payments below award rates, and failure to pay penalty rates for evenings and weekends.
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 →Waiter Pay Rates by State
Award pay rates are set nationally, but state-specific public holidays and long service leave rules may affect your total entitlements.
Related Jobs Under the Same Award
| Job | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barista | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr |
| Bartender | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr |
| Chef | $27.97/hr | $34.96/hr | $41.96/hr |
| Kitchen Hand | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr |
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 waiter get paid per hour in Australia?
The minimum hourly rate for a waiter in Australia 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 waiter?
The minimum wage for a waiter 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 waiters?
Waiters 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 waiters get penalty rates on weekends?
Yes. Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, waiters 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 waiter?
The casual rate for a waiter 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 waiter get paid?
A 17 year old waiter 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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