How much does a retail worker earn on early morning? 1.25x penalty rate under the General Retail Industry Award 2020.
Last verified: 2 August 2026A retail worker working on early morning earns $34.76/hr (25% above the base rate of $27.81/hr).
Based on the General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004), Level 1 adult rate, effective 1 July 2025.
Weekday Base Rate
$27.81/hr
1.0x (no penalty)
Early Morning Penalty Rate
$34.76/hr
1.25x (+25%)
Casual retail workers receive their casual-loaded rate ($34.76/hr, which includes 25% casual loading) multiplied by the early morning penalty rate of 1.25x.
Start with the base hourly rate: $27.81/hr
Multiply by the early morning penalty rate: 1.25x
$27.81 x 1.25 = $34.76/hr
Under the General Retail Industry Award 2020, employees working early morning hours receive 1.25x their base rate. Early morning hours are generally defined as work performed between midnight and 6am or 7am, depending on the award. These penalties recognise the health and lifestyle impact of working unsociable hours.
Source: General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004). Rates effective from 1 July 2025 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review.
If you work 8 hours on early morning, you earn $278.10 instead of $222.48 on a weekday — that's $55.62 extra.
Weekday (8hrs)
$222.48
Early Morning (8hrs)
$278.10
Extra Earned
+$55.62
| Day / Time | Multiplier | Full-Time Rate | Casual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday (base) | 1.0x | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr |
| Saturday | 1.25x | $34.76/hr | $43.45/hr |
| Sunday | 1.5x | $41.71/hr | $52.14/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $69.52/hr | $86.90/hr |
| Christmas Day | 2.5x | $69.52/hr | $86.90/hr |
| Evening | 1.25x | $34.76/hr | $43.45/hr |
| Early Morning | 1.25x | $34.76/hr | $43.45/hr |
Use our Penalty Rate Calculator to check your exact rate based on your award, classification level, and employment type.
Open Penalty Rate CalculatorA retail worker working on early morning earns $34.76 per hour under the General Retail Industry Award 2020. This is 1.25x the base rate of $27.81/hr, which is 25% more than the ordinary weekday rate. Casual retail workers earn $43.45/hr (1.25x their casual rate of $34.76/hr).
The early morning penalty rate for retail workers is 1.25x the base hourly rate under the General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004). For a Level 1 retail worker, this means $34.76/hr instead of $27.81/hr. The penalty rate compensates employees for working during unsociable hours.
Yes. Casual retail workers receive penalty rates on early morning. The 1.25x penalty multiplier is applied to the casual rate of $34.76/hr (which already includes 25% casual loading), giving a total of $43.45/hr. Casual employees receive both their loading and the penalty rate.
Your employer can roster you to work on early morning as part of your ordinary hours or as overtime, provided it aligns with the General Retail Industry Award 2020 and your employment contract. However, you must be paid the correct penalty rate of 1.25x your base rate ($34.76/hr). If you believe your roster is unreasonable, you can raise this with your employer or contact Fair Work.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
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