Restaurant Industry Award pay rates 2026
Minimum rates for the Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119) from 1 July 2026: 7 classifications on 7 distinct hourly rates, with casual, weekend 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 |
| Level 1 — Food and beverage attendant grade 1 and 1 other role | $26.44 | $1,004.90 | $52,395 | $33.05 |
| Level 2 — Food and beverage attendant grade 2 and 5 other roles | $27.08 | $1,029.10 | $53,657 | $33.85 |
| Level 3 — Food and beverage attendant grade 3 and 6 other roles | $27.97 | $1,062.90 | $55,420 | $34.96 |
| Level 4 — Food and beverage attendant grade 4 (tradesperson) and 3 other roles | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,350 | $36.81 |
| Level 5 — Food and beverage supervisor and 2 other roles | $31.30 | $1,189.40 | $62,015 | $39.13 |
| Level 6 — Cook grade 5 (tradesperson) | $32.13 | $1,221.10 | $63,668 | $40.16 |
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the Restaurant Industry Award run from $25.74 an hour (Introductory Level) to $32.13 (Level 6 — Cook grade 5 (tradesperson)), a spread of $6.39 an hour or 24.8%, $243.00 a week full-time.
The award’s 7 classifications in this dataset share 7 distinct hourly rates.
A casual Introductory Level is paid $32.18 an hour, 25% above the full-time hourly rate, in place of paid leave.
What changed on 1 July 2026
For the entry classification, Introductory Level:
The hourly rate rose $1.46 (6%) from $24.28 on 30 June 2026 to $25.74, and the full-time weekly rate rose $55.40.
Penalty rates
| Day | Restaurant | 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 Restaurant Industry Award penalty rate, by classification
Compared with related awards
| Award | Entry classification | Hourly | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food Industry Award | Fast food employee level 1 | $27.81 | 125% |
| Amusement, Events and Recreation Award | Introductory level employee | $25.74 | 150% |
| Hospitality Industry (General) Award | Introductory level | $25.74 | 150% |
The Restaurant Industry Award entry rate is $2.07 an hour lower than the Fast Food Industry Award entry rate of $27.81.
Allowances
The pay database lists 3 wage-related allowances and 4 expense-related allowances for this award. All-purpose allowances count towards penalty rates, overtime and leave.
| Allowance | Amount | Paid | All-purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split shift allowance—full-time and part-time employees | $5.60 | per each separate work period of 2 hours or more | no |
| Penalty—Monday to Friday—10.00 pm to midnight | $2.95 | per hour or part thereof | no |
| Penalty—Monday to Friday—midnight to 6.00 am | $4.42 | per hour or part thereof | no |
| Meal allowance—overtime of more than 2 hours without a day’s notification | $17.42 | per occasion | no |
| Meal allowance—employee provides meal and is no longer required to work full overtime | $17.42 | per occasion | no |
| Clothing, equipment and tool allowance—cook or apprentice cook—Per day or part day | $2.03 | per day or part day | no |
| Clothing, equipment and tool allowance—cook or apprentice cook—Maximum per week—an amount of up to | $9.94 | per week | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, Restaurant Industry Award 2020 (MA000119), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.