Hair and beauty employee level 2 Pay Rate 2026
As of 1 July 2026, a Hair and beauty employee level 2 under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award (MA000005) earns a published minimum of $28.45 an hour ($1,081.00 a week, about $56,363 a year) full-time before tax.
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.
Minimum pay rates
| Employment type | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (× 52.14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time | $28.45 | $1,081.00 | $56,363 |
Penalty rates
| When | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | $37.84 | $42.68 |
| Sunday | $56.90 | $64.01 |
| Public holiday | $71.13 | $71.13 |
Salons often trade on weekends and during late-night shopping, so higher penalty rates generally apply for Saturday, Sunday and public holiday work, with overtime for hours worked beyond the ordinary roster.
Overtime rates
| Overtime | Full-time / part-time |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday – first 3 hours | $42.68 |
| Monday to Saturday – after 3 hours | $56.90 |
| Sunday – all hours | $56.90 |
| Public holiday – all hours | $71.13 |
| RDO – all hours | $56.90 |
Work out your pay
Pick full-time, part-time or casual to see the exact published rate for this classification.
Common questions
How much does a Hair and beauty employee level 2 get paid?
The published minimum for a Hair and beauty employee level 2 is $28.45 an hour. For a full-time employee on a standard week that comes to $1,081.00 a week, or about $56,363 a year. These rates took effect on 1 July 2026.
What are the weekend and public holiday rates?
Work on the weekend and on public holidays is generally paid at higher penalty rates. Here the published Saturday rate is $37.84 an hour and the Sunday rate is $56.90 an hour, while public holiday work has a published minimum of $71.13 an hour.
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. Source: Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database. Last checked .
Source: Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database for the Hair and Beauty Industry Award (MA000005).
General information only — not legal, industrial or financial advice. These are the published minimum rates for information. Your modern award or enterprise agreement prevails if there is any inconsistency. Check the official source above or the Fair Work Ombudsman for your situation.