Pharmacy Industry Award Pay Rates 2026
Minimum pay rates for the Pharmacy Industry Award (MA000012), effective 1 July 2026. 10 classifications, with penalty, casual and junior rates.
This page sets out the published minimum pay rates under the Pharmacy Industry Award. You will find the minimum rate for each classification, from assistant grades through to interns, along with casual rates and the penalty rates for evening, weekend and public holiday trading.
The Pharmacy Industry Award covers community pharmacies and chemist shops, the retail dispensaries most people visit for prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. It applies to the shopfloor and dispensary team rather than the pharmacy owner: pharmacy assistants who serve customers and manage stock, dispensary technicians, and trainee staff working their way into the profession such as pharmacy students during their degree and pharmacy interns completing supervised practice. Rates run across assistant grades and training stages, so the award captures both experienced retail staff and those still qualifying.
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly | Annual | Casual/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $55,102 | — |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $28.45 | $1,081.00 | $56,363 | — |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | — |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $30.66 | $1,165.10 | $60,748 | — |
| Pharmacy student—1st year of course | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $55,102 | — |
| Pharmacy student—2nd year of course | $28.45 | $1,081.00 | $56,363 | — |
| Pharmacy student—3rd year of course | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | — |
| Pharmacy student—4th year of course | $30.66 | $1,165.10 | $60,748 | — |
| Pharmacy intern—1st half of training | $33.99 | $1,291.50 | $67,339 | — |
| Pharmacy intern—2nd half of training | $35.14 | $1,335.50 | $69,633 | — |
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Pick a classification and employment type for the exact published minimum.
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, Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012).
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.