General Retail Industry Award pay rates 2026
Minimum rates for the General Retail Industry Award (MA000004) from 1 July 2026: 8 classifications on 8 distinct hourly rates, with casual, weekend and junior rates.
This page lists the minimum pay rates under the General Retail Industry Award, set out by classification. For each retail role you can see the base hourly and weekly minimum, the casual rate, penalty rates for evenings, weekends and public holidays, and junior rates where they apply.
The General Retail Industry Award covers employees working in shops and retail businesses across Australia, from supermarkets, department stores and fashion outlets to newsagents, hardware stores, pharmacies and online retailers that sell goods to the public. It applies to shop assistants, checkout operators, sales staff, visual merchandisers, storepersons and the supervisors and managers who run a department or store. The classifications rise with skill and responsibility, from entry-level retail employees who serve customers and stock shelves through to senior in-store roles. Fast food outlets, hair and beauty salons and hospitality venues are covered by their own separate awards.
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly | Annual | Casual/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Employee Level 1 | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $55,102 | $34.76 |
| Retail Employee Level 2 | $28.45 | $1,081.00 | $56,363 | $35.56 |
| Retail Employee Level 3 | $28.89 | $1,097.80 | $57,239 | $36.11 |
| Retail Employee Level 4 | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | $36.81 |
| Retail Employee Level 5 | $30.66 | $1,165.10 | $60,748 | $38.33 |
| Retail Employee Level 6 | $31.11 | $1,182.10 | $61,635 | $38.89 |
| Retail Employee Level 7 | $32.67 | $1,241.40 | $64,727 | $40.84 |
| Retail Employee Level 8 | $33.99 | $1,291.80 | $67,354 | $42.49 |
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the General Retail Industry Award run from $27.81 an hour (Retail Employee Level 1) to $33.99 (Retail Employee Level 8), a spread of $6.18 an hour or 22.2%, $235.00 a week full-time.
The award’s 8 classifications in this dataset share 8 distinct hourly rates.
A casual Retail Employee Level 1 is paid $34.76 an hour, 25% above the full-time hourly rate, in place of paid leave.
What changed on 1 July 2026
For the entry classification, Retail Employee Level 1:
The hourly rate rose $1.26 (4.7%) from $26.55 on 30 June 2026 to $27.81, and the full-time weekly rate rose $47.90.
Penalty rates
| Day | Retail | Median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 125% | 150% | 13 of 19 |
| Sunday | 150% | 187.5% | 14 of 20 |
| Public holiday | 225% | 250% | 16 of 22 |
The Saturday rate of 125% is lower than the median of 150% across the 19 awards with a Saturday rate for their entry classification, and ranks 13th.
The Sunday rate of 150% is lower than the median of 187.5% across the 20 awards with a Sunday rate for their entry classification, and ranks 14th.
The public holiday rate of 225% is lower than the median of 250% across the 22 awards with a public holiday rate for their entry classification, and ranks 16th.
Every General Retail Industry Award penalty rate, by classification
Allowances
The pay database lists 5 wage-related allowances and 5 expense-related allowances for this award. All-purpose allowances count towards penalty rates, overtime and leave.
| Allowance | Amount | Paid | All-purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold work disability allowance—cold chambers; stocking and refilling refrigerated storages | $0.38 | per hour | no |
| Cold work disability allowance—cold chambers; below 0°C—additional to clause 19.9(b) | $0.59 | per hour | no |
| First aid allowance | $14.55 | per week | no |
| Liquor licence allowance | $34.69 | per week | no |
| Broken Hill | $1.26 | per hour | no |
| Meal allowance—more than one hour’s overtime without 24 hours’ notice | $24.56 | per occasion | no |
| Meal allowance—further 4 hours’ overtime | $22.27 | per occasion | no |
| Special clothing allowance—laundering—full-time employee | $6.42 | per week | no |
| Special clothing allowance—laundering—part-time or casual employee | $1.28 | per shift | no |
| Motor vehicle allowance | $1.00 | per km | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.