Retail Employee Level 1 pay rate 2026
Minimum rate for Retail Employee Level 1 under the General Retail Industry Award (MA000004) from 1 July 2026: $1,056.80 a week full-time, $55,102 a year (weekly × 52.14). Casual: $34.76 an hour, loading included.
Minimum pay rates
| Employment type | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (× 52.14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $55,102 |
| Casual (loading included) | $34.76 | — | — |
How this rate compares
This is the lowest adult rate in the General Retail Industry Award: rank 8 of 8 distinct hourly rates.
The next rate up is Retail Employee Level 2 at $28.45 an hour, $0.64 (2.3%) higher than this classification.
It is $1.37 an hour (5.2%) above the national minimum wage of $26.44.
What changed on 1 July 2026
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
| When | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | $27.81100% | $34.76125% |
| Weekday eveningMonday to Friday after 6.00 pm | $34.76125% | $41.72150% |
| Saturday | $34.76125% | $41.72150% |
| Sunday | $41.72150% | $48.67175% |
| Public holiday | $62.57225% | $69.53250% |
Resulting hourly rates as published in the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database. Casual figures include the casual loading. Percentages are of the minimum hourly rate.
A week with weekend shifts
| Hours | Rate | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weekday hours | $34.76 | $139.04 |
| 8 Saturday hours | $41.72 | $333.76 |
| 8 Sunday hours | $48.67 | $389.36 |
| Total | $862.16 |
That week pays $862.16, which is $166.96 (24%) more than the same 20 hours worked on weekdays at the casual rate ($695.20). A full-time week of 38 ordinary hours pays $1,056.80.
Overtime rates
| Overtime | Full-time / part-time | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday – first 3 hours | $41.72 | 150% |
| Monday to Saturday – after 3 hours | $55.62 | 200% |
| Sunday – all day | $55.62 | 200% |
| Public holiday | $69.53 | 250% |
Junior rates
Employees under 21 in this classification are paid a percentage of the adult rate, from $12.51 an hour (45% of the adult rate) for under 16 years of age. How junior rates work.
| Age | Hourly | Weekly | % of adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 years of age | $12.51 | $475.56 | 45% |
| 16 years of age | $13.91 | $528.40 | 50% |
| 17 years of age | $16.69 | $634.08 | 60% |
| 18 years of age | $19.47 | $739.76 | 70% |
| 19 years of age | $22.25 | $845.44 | 80% |
| 20 years of age and employed by the employer for 6 months or less | $25.03 | $951.12 | 90% |
| 20 years of age and employed by the employer for more than 6 months | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | 100% |
Weekly junior rates are published; hourly is weekly ÷ 38.
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, MA000004, checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.