Restaurant Award Penalty Rates
All penalty rates under the Restaurant Industry Award 2020 (MA000003) for 2025-26, including weekends, public holidays, evening, and overtime.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Restaurant Award — Key Rates at a Glance
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). See full table below for all levels.
Full Penalty Rate Table — Restaurant Award
| Level | Base Rate | Saturday 1.25x | Sunday 1.5x | Public Holiday 2.25x | Evening 1.15x | Overtime 1.5x | Overtime 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $54.23/hr | $27.72/hr | $36.15/hr | $48.20/hr |
| Level 2 | $25.28/hr | $31.60/hr | $37.92/hr | $56.88/hr | $29.07/hr | $37.92/hr | $50.56/hr |
| Level 3 | $26.10/hr | $32.63/hr | $39.15/hr | $58.73/hr | $30.02/hr | $39.15/hr | $52.20/hr |
| Level 4 | $27.32/hr | $34.15/hr | $40.98/hr | $61.47/hr | $31.42/hr | $40.98/hr | $54.64/hr |
| Level 5 | $28.60/hr | $35.75/hr | $42.90/hr | $64.35/hr | $32.89/hr | $42.90/hr | $57.20/hr |
| Level 6 | $30.16/hr | $37.70/hr | $45.24/hr | $67.86/hr | $34.68/hr | $45.24/hr | $60.32/hr |
Compare Penalty Rates Across Awards (Level 1)
| Award | Base Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $54.23/hr (2.25x) |
| Retail Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Clerks Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Restaurant Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $54.23/hr (2.25x) |
Calculate Your Exact Penalty Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalty rates under the Restaurant Award?
The Restaurant Award (MA000003) provides penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday, Evening (7pm–midnight), Overtime (first 2 hours), Overtime (after 2 hours). Rates range from 1.15x to 2.25x of the base hourly rate.
What is the Sunday penalty rate for restaurants workers?
Under the Restaurant Award, permanent employees receive 1.5x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee at $24.10/hr, this means $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.