Pharmacy assistant level 1 Pay Rate 2026
As of 1 July 2026, a Pharmacy assistant level 1 under the Pharmacy Industry Award (MA000012) earns a published minimum of $27.81 an hour ($1,056.80 a week, about $55,102 a year) full-time before tax.
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.
Minimum pay rates
| Employment type | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (× 52.14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $55,102 |
Overtime rates
| Overtime | Full-time / part-time |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday - First 2 hours | $41.72 |
| Monday to Saturday - After 2 hours | $55.62 |
| Sunday | $55.62 |
| Public holiday | $69.53 |
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 Pharmacy assistant level 1 get paid?
The published minimum for a Pharmacy assistant level 1 is $27.81 an hour, which comes to $1,056.80 for a standard full-time week, or roughly $55,102 over a year. These rates took effect on 1 July 2026 and represent the legal minimum before allowances, penalties or overtime are added.
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 Pharmacy Industry Award (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.