Pharmacy Industry Award penalty rates 2026
Saturday, Sunday, public holiday and evening rates for every classification in the Pharmacy Industry Award (MA000012), from 1 July 2026.
Higher penalty rates generally apply to trading outside ordinary daytime hours. For pharmacy that usually means evening shifts, work on Saturdays and Sundays, public holidays, and any overtime worked beyond the ordinary hours.
Full-time and part-time penalty rates
| Classification | SaturdayBetween 8.00 am and 6.00 pm | SundayBetween 7.00 am and 9.00 pm | Public holidayS - All day | Weekday eveningOrdinary hours Monday to Friday - Evening 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $34.76 | $41.72 | $62.57 | $34.76 |
| Pharmacy student — 1st year of course | $34.76 | $41.72 | $62.57 | $34.76 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $35.56 | $42.68 | $64.01 | $35.56 |
| Pharmacy student — 2nd year of course | $35.56 | $42.68 | $64.01 | $35.56 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $66.26 | $36.81 |
| Pharmacy student — 3rd year of course | $36.81 | $44.18 | $66.26 | $36.81 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $38.33 | $45.99 | $68.99 | $38.33 |
| Pharmacy student — 4th year of course | $38.33 | $45.99 | $68.99 | $38.33 |
| Pharmacy intern — 1st half of training | $42.49 | $50.99 | $76.48 | $42.49 |
| Pharmacy intern — 2nd half of training | $43.93 | $52.71 | $79.07 | $43.93 |
Casual penalty rates
Casual figures include the casual loading.
| Classification | SaturdayBetween 8.00 am and 6.00 pm | SundayBetween 7.00 am and 9.00 pm | Public holidayS - All day | Weekday eveningOrdinary hours Monday to Friday - Evening 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $41.72 | $48.67 | $69.53 | $41.72 |
| Pharmacy student — 1st year of course | $41.72 | $48.67 | $69.53 | $41.72 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $42.68 | $49.79 | $71.13 | $42.68 |
| Pharmacy student — 2nd year of course | $42.68 | $49.79 | $71.13 | $42.68 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $73.63 | $44.18 |
| Pharmacy student — 3rd year of course | $44.18 | $51.54 | $73.63 | $44.18 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $45.99 | $53.66 | $76.65 | $45.99 |
| Pharmacy student — 4th year of course | $45.99 | $53.66 | $76.65 | $45.99 |
| Pharmacy intern — 1st half of training | $50.99 | $59.48 | $84.98 | $50.99 |
| Pharmacy intern — 2nd half of training | $52.71 | $61.50 | $87.85 | $52.71 |
Resulting hourly rates as published in the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database.
How the Pharmacy Industry Award compares
| 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.
What one shift pays
| Shift | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday (7.6 hours) | $211.36 | $264.18 |
| Saturday (7.6 hours) | $264.18 | $317.07 |
| Sunday (7.6 hours) | $317.07 | $369.89 |
| Public holiday (7.6 hours) | $475.53 | $528.43 |
A full-time saturday shift pays $264.18, $52.82 more than the same shift on a weekday.
A full-time sunday shift pays $317.07, $105.71 more than the same shift on a weekday.
A full-time public holiday shift pays $475.53, $264.17 more than the same shift on a weekday.
Work out a shift
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.