Hair and Beauty Industry Award pay rates 2026
Minimum rates for the Hair and Beauty Industry Award (MA000005) from 1 July 2026: 8 classifications on 7 distinct hourly rates, with casual and weekend rates.
This page sets out the minimum pay rates under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award, organised by classification. For each role you will find the base hourly and weekly minimum, the casual rate, penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, and junior rates where they apply.
The Hair and Beauty Industry Award covers hairdressing salons, beauty salons, barber shops and businesses offering treatments such as skin care, waxing, nails, make-up and spa services. It applies to hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, nail technicians, make-up artists, salon assistants and the senior staff and managers who run a salon. The classifications reflect training and skill, from junior and graduate employees still building their trade through to fully qualified stylists and therapists and salon managers. Retail cosmetics counters and day spas attached to hotels can fall under different awards, depending on the main activity of the business.
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly | Annual | Casual/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainees and graduates | ||||
| Beauty therapy — full-time graduate — first 12 months — 92.5% | $27.24 | $1,035.17 | $53,974 | — |
| Hairdressing — full-time graduate — first 12 months — 92.5% | $27.24 | $1,035.17 | $53,974 | — |
| Hair and Beauty Employees | ||||
| Hair and beauty employee level 1 | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $55,102 | $34.76 |
| Hair and beauty employee level 2 | $28.45 | $1,081.00 | $56,363 | $35.56 |
| Hair and beauty employee level 3 | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | $36.81 |
| Hair and beauty employee level 4 | $30.00 | $1,139.90 | $59,434 | $37.50 |
| Hair and beauty employee level 5 | $30.89 | $1,174.00 | $61,212 | $38.61 |
| Hair and beauty employee level 6 | $32.00 | $1,215.90 | $63,397 | $40.00 |
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the Hair and Beauty Industry Award run from $27.24 an hour (Hairdressing — full-time graduate — first 12 months — 92.5%) to $32.00 (Hair and beauty employee level 6), a spread of $4.76 an hour or 17.5%, $180.73 a week full-time.
The award’s 8 classifications in this dataset share 7 distinct hourly rates.
What changed on 1 July 2026
For the entry classification, Hairdressing — full-time graduate — first 12 months — 92.5%:
The hourly rate rose $1.23 (4.7%) from $26.01 on 30 June 2026 to $27.24, and the full-time weekly rate rose $46.90.
Penalty rates
The pay database sets no separate weekend or public holiday rows for this award.
Every Hair and Beauty Industry Award penalty rate, by classification
Allowances
The pay database lists 3 wage-related allowances and 4 expense-related allowances for this award. All-purpose allowances count towards penalty rates, overtime and leave.
| Allowance | Amount | Paid | All-purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager’s allowance | $55.96 | per week | no |
| First aid allowance | $14.55 | per week | no |
| Broken Hill allowance | $47.90 | per week | no |
| Meal allowance—more than one hour’s overtime without 24 hours’ notice | $24.72 | per occasion | no |
| Meal allowance—if more than 4 hours’ overtime without 24 hours’ notice—further allowance | $24.72 | per occasion | no |
| Motor vehicle allowance | $1.00 | per km | no |
| Tool allowance | $10.52 | per week | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.