Restaurant Industry Award Pay Rates 2026
Minimum pay rates for the Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119), effective 1 July 2026. 7 classifications, with penalty, casual and junior rates.
This page sets out the minimum pay rates under the Restaurant Industry Award, listed by classification. For each role you will find the base hourly and weekly minimum, the casual rate, penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, and junior rates where they apply.
The Restaurant Industry Award covers restaurants, cafes with table service, and businesses whose main work is preparing and serving meals to be eaten on the premises. It applies to waiters and food and beverage attendants, kitchen hands, apprentice and qualified cooks and chefs, baristas, sommeliers, dishwashers, and the clerical and supervisory staff who support them. Classifications begin at an introductory level for people new to the industry and rise through food and beverage grades to trade-qualified cooks and food and beverage supervisors. Takeaway outlets, pubs and standalone catering operations are generally covered by their own separate awards.
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly | Annual | Casual/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Level | $25.74 | $978.10 | $50,998 | $32.18 |
| Food and beverage attendant grade 1; Kitchen attendant grade 1 — Level 1 | $26.44 | $1,004.90 | $52,395 | $33.05 |
| Food and beverage attendant grade 2; Cook grade 1; Kitchen attendant grade 2; Clerical grade 1; Storeperson grade 1; Door person/security officer grade 1 — Level 2 | $27.08 | $1,029.10 | $53,657 | $33.85 |
| Food and beverage attendant grade 3; Cook grade 2; Kitchen attendant grade 3; Clerical grade 2; Storeperson grade 2; Timekeeper/security officer grade 2; Handyperson — Level 3 | $27.97 | $1,062.90 | $55,420 | $34.96 |
| Food and beverage attendant grade 4 (tradesperson); Cook grade 3 (tradesperson); Clerical grade 3; Storeperson grade 3 — Level 4 | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | $36.81 |
| Food and beverage supervisor; Cook grade 4 (tradesperson); Clerical supervisor — Level 5 | $31.30 | $1,189.40 | $62,015 | $39.13 |
| Cook grade 5 (tradesperson) — Level 6 | $32.13 | $1,221.10 | $63,668 | $40.16 |
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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, Restaurant Industry Award 2020 (MA000119).
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.