Retail Worker Sunday Pay Rate 2026
How much does a retail worker earn on sunday? 1.5x penalty rate under the General Retail Industry Award 2020.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Quick Answer
A retail worker working on sunday earns $36.15/hr (50% above the base rate of $24.10/hr).
Based on the General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004), Level 1 adult rate, effective 1 July 2025.
Base Rate vs Sunday Penalty Rate
Weekday Base Rate
$24.10/hr
1.0x (no penalty)
Sunday Penalty Rate
$36.15/hr
1.5x (+50%)
Casual Sunday Rate
Casual retail workers receive their casual-loaded rate ($30.13/hr, which includes 25% casual loading) multiplied by the sunday penalty rate of 1.5x.
How the Penalty Rate Is Calculated
Start with the base hourly rate: $24.10/hr
Multiply by the sunday penalty rate: 1.5x
$24.10 x 1.5 = $36.15/hr
What the Award Says About Sunday Work
Under the General Retail Industry Award 2020, full-time and part-time employees working on a Sunday are entitled to 1.5x their base rate. Sunday rates are typically higher than Saturday rates to reflect the greater disruption to personal and family time. Employers cannot avoid paying Sunday rates by averaging hours across the week.
Source: General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004). Rates effective from 1 July 2025 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review.
Weekly Earnings Example
If you work 8 hours on sunday, you earn $289.20 instead of $192.80 on a weekday — that's $96.40 extra.
Weekday (8hrs)
$192.80
Sunday (8hrs)
$289.20
Extra Earned
+$96.40
All Penalty Rates for Retail Workers
| Day / Time | Multiplier | Full-Time Rate | Casual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday (base) | 1.0x | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr |
| Saturday | 1.25x | $30.13/hr | $37.66/hr |
| Sunday | 1.5x | $36.15/hr | $45.20/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $60.25/hr | $75.33/hr |
| Christmas Day | 2.5x | $60.25/hr | $75.33/hr |
| Evening | 1.25x | $30.13/hr | $37.66/hr |
| Early Morning | 1.25x | $30.13/hr | $37.66/hr |
Am I Getting the Right Penalty Rate?
Use our Penalty Rate Calculator to check your exact rate based on your award, classification level, and employment type.
Open Penalty Rate CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a retail worker earn on sunday?
A retail worker working on sunday earns $36.15 per hour under the General Retail Industry Award 2020. This is 1.5x the base rate of $24.10/hr, which is 50% more than the ordinary weekday rate. Casual retail workers earn $45.20/hr (1.5x their casual rate of $30.13/hr).
What is the sunday penalty rate for retail workers?
The sunday penalty rate for retail workers is 1.5x the base hourly rate under the General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004). For a Level 1 retail worker, this means $36.15/hr instead of $24.10/hr. The penalty rate compensates employees for working during unsociable hours.
Do casuals get penalty rates on sunday?
Yes. Casual retail workers receive penalty rates on sunday. The 1.5x penalty multiplier is applied to the casual rate of $30.13/hr (which already includes 25% casual loading), giving a total of $45.20/hr. Casual employees receive both their loading and the penalty rate.
Can my employer make me work on sunday?
Your employer can roster you to work on sunday 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 1.5x your base rate ($36.15/hr). If you believe your roster is unreasonable, you can raise this with your employer or contact Fair Work.
Other Sunday Penalty Rates
Retail Worker — Other Penalty Rates
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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