Hospitality Award Rates 2026: Complete Guide to Penalty Rates for Pubs & Restaurants
If you run a pub, restaurant, cafe, bar, or hotel in Australia, getting award rates right is non-negotiable. Underpayment claims in hospitality have led to penalties of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the Fair Work Ombudsman is actively targeting the industry.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Hospitality Industry (General) Award MA000009 pay rates for 2026, including base rates, penalty rates, casual loading, evening and night loadings, and overtime.
Base Hourly Rates by Classification Level
The Hospitality Award classifies workers into six levels based on their role and experience. Here are the current base rates for full-time and casual employees:
| Level | Example Roles | Full-Time (per hr) | Casual (per hr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Food & Bev Attendant Gr 1, Kitchen Hand | $25.85 | $32.31 |
| Level 2 | Cook Grade 1, Food & Bev Attendant Gr 2 | $26.68 | $33.35 |
| Level 3 | Cook Grade 2, Food & Bev Attendant Gr 3 | $27.49 | $34.36 |
| Level 4 | Cook Grade 3, Front Office Gr 3 | $28.12 | $35.15 |
| Level 5 | Cook Grade 4, F&B Supervisor | $29.88 | $37.35 |
| Level 6 | Cook Grade 5 (Tradesperson) | $30.68 | $38.35 |
Penalty Rates: Weekends & Public Holidays
Penalty rates are calculated as a percentage of the base hourly rate. These apply to all classification levels:
| When | Rate | Level 1 Example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday (day) | 100% (base rate) | $25.85/hr |
| Saturday | 150% | $38.78/hr |
| Sunday | 175% | $45.24/hr |
| Public Holiday | 250% | $64.63/hr |
Evening & Night Loadings
Unlike weekend penalties, evening and night work attracts a flat dollar loading per hour, not a percentage multiplier. This is a common area where venues make mistakes.
| Shift | Hours | Loading | Level 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evening | 7pm to midnight (Mon–Fri) | +$2.81/hr | $28.66/hr |
| Night | Midnight to 7am (Mon–Fri) | +$4.22/hr | $30.07/hr |
Overtime Rates
Overtime applies when a full-time employee works beyond their ordinary hours (usually 38 per week, or an average of 38 over a roster cycle).
| Overtime Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| First 2 hours | 150% of base rate |
| After 2 hours | 200% of base rate |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base hourly rate for hospitality workers in Australia in 2026?
It depends on the classification level under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award MA000009. A Level 1 Food & Beverage Attendant Grade 1 earns $25.85/hr full-time, or $32.31/hr casual (including 25% casual loading). Rates increase with each level up to Level 6 at $30.68/hr full-time.
What are the weekend penalty rates for hospitality workers?
Saturday is 150% of the base rate. Sunday is 175%. For a Level 1 worker earning $25.85/hr, that’s $38.78/hr on Saturday and $45.24/hr on Sunday.
What is the evening penalty rate after 7pm?
Evening work (7pm to midnight, Monday to Friday) attracts a flat loading of $2.81 per hour on top of the base rate. Night work (midnight to 7am) is $4.22 per hour extra. These are flat dollar amounts, not percentages.
What is the public holiday penalty rate for hospitality?
250% of the base rate. For a Level 1 worker at $25.85/hr, that’s $64.63/hr on a public holiday.
Is there an easy way to calculate hospitality award rates?
Fitz HR includes a free Award Wizard that calculates the correct rate for any classification, shift type, and day of the week. It covers the Hospitality Industry (General) Award MA000009 including all penalty rates, casual loading, and overtime. Try it free.
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Try the Award Wizard Free →Key Takeaways
Getting hospitality award rates right protects your business from back-pay claims and Fair Work audits. The most common mistakes venues make are applying evening penalties as a percentage instead of a flat loading, miscalculating casual loading, and not accounting for all classification levels on their team.
If you’re unsure which classification level applies to your staff, or want to double-check your payroll calculations, Fitz HR can help. Our AI is trained specifically on Australian hospitality awards and can answer any award rate question in seconds.