Pharmacy Industry Award pay rates 2026
Minimum rates for the Pharmacy Industry Award (MA000012) from 1 July 2026: 10 classifications on 6 distinct hourly rates, with casual and weekend 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 | $34.76 |
| Pharmacy student — 1st year of course | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $55,102 | $34.76 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $28.45 | $1,081.00 | $56,363 | $35.56 |
| Pharmacy student — 2nd year of course | $28.45 | $1,081.00 | $56,363 | $35.56 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | $36.81 |
| Pharmacy student — 3rd year of course | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | $36.81 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $30.66 | $1,165.10 | $60,748 | $38.33 |
| Pharmacy student — 4th year of course | $30.66 | $1,165.10 | $60,748 | $38.33 |
| Pharmacy intern — 1st half of training | $33.99 | $1,291.50 | $67,339 | $42.49 |
| Pharmacy intern — 2nd half of training | $35.14 | $1,335.50 | $69,633 | $43.93 |
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the Pharmacy Industry Award run from $27.81 an hour (Pharmacy assistant level 1) to $35.14 (Pharmacy intern — 2nd half of training), a spread of $7.33 an hour or 26.4%, $278.70 a week full-time.
The award’s 10 classifications in this dataset share 6 distinct hourly rates.
A casual Pharmacy assistant 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, Pharmacy assistant 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 | Pharmacy | 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 Pharmacy Industry Award penalty rate, by classification
Compared with related awards
| Award | Entry classification | Hourly | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Award | Aged care employee — general — level 1 | $27.77 | 175% |
| Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award | Home care employee level 1 — disability care — pay point 1 | $27.28 | 200% |
| Health Professionals and Support Services Award | Support services employee level 1 | $26.97 | 150% |
| Nurses Award | Student enrolled nurse — 21 years of age and over | $26.97 | 175% |
| Children's Services Award | Support worker level 1.1 — on commencement | $26.44 | 200% |
The Pharmacy Industry Award entry rate is $0.04 an hour higher than the Aged Care Award entry rate of $27.77.
The Pharmacy Industry Award entry rate is $0.53 an hour higher than the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award entry rate of $27.28.
The Pharmacy Industry Award entry rate is $0.84 an hour higher than the Health Professionals and Support Services Award entry rate of $26.97.
Allowances
The pay database lists 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home medicine reviews or residential medication management reviews | $106.40 | per week | no |
| Broken Hill allowance | $47.90 | per week | no |
| Meal allowance—overtime which exceeds 1.5 hours | $24.72 | per occasion | no |
| Meal allowance—overtime which exceeds 4 hours | $22.15 | per occasion | no |
| Special clothing allowance—full-time employee | $6.42 | per week | no |
| Special clothing allowance—part-time or casual employee | $1.28 | per shift | no |
| Motor vehicle allowance | $1.01 | per km | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.