Restaurant Award Pay Rates 2026 — MA000119 by Classification

Adult Minimum Rates by Classification

Under clause 18.1 of the Restaurant Industry Award MA000119, adult employees (21 years and over) are paid at the rate applicable to their classification under Schedule A. The rates below come directly from Table 3 of MA000119 as varied by PR786658, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025.

The standard rate under MA000119 is the Level 4 hourly rate ($28.12) — Cook grade 3 (tradesperson). The standard rate is used as the basis for calculating apprentice rates, allowances expressed as a percentage of the standard rate, and certain other entitlements.

Note: An employee who has completed AQF Certificate III or higher qualifications relevant to their classification, and who uses skills and knowledge derived from Certificate III competencies relevant to the work undertaken, has a minimum classification of Level 4 under MA000119.

Casual Hourly Rates — Including 25% Loading

Under clause 11.1 of MA000119, casual employees are paid a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate for their classification. The casual loading compensates for the absence of paid leave and other entitlements. The casual rates below are for ordinary Monday to Friday hours; weekend and public holiday rates are addressed separately.

Penalty Rates (2026)

Penalty rates under clause 24 of MA000119 apply on top of the ordinary minimum rate for hours worked at specified times. Casual percentages shown below are all-inclusive — the 25% casual loading is built into the rate, not stacked on top of the penalty.

The late evening and early morning loadings are paid per hour or part of an hour worked in the relevant period. A single 30-minute period worked between 10pm and midnight attracts the full $2.81 loading for that hour.

Public holiday alternatives: Under clause 24.4, an employer and employee may agree in writing to substitute a 125% rate plus a paid day off in lieu, instead of the 225% rate. The day off must be taken within 28 days of the public holiday.

Junior Rates — Percentages by Age

Under clause 18.2 and Table 4 of MA000119, junior employees (under 21 years of age) are paid a percentage of the adult rate for the same classification.

Junior liquor service exception: Under clause 13.5, junior employees working as liquor service employees must be paid the adult rate for the work being performed, not the junior percentage. This is one of the most commonly missed Award provisions in venues with both restaurant and bar service.

National Minimum Wage floor: Where a junior or introductory rate falls below the National Minimum Wage applicable for the employee, the National Minimum Wage applies instead.

Apprentice Rates (Cooking Trade)

Under clause 18.3 and Table 5, junior cooking trade apprentice rates are calculated as a percentage of the standard rate ($28.12 from 1 July 2025).

Adult apprentices (21 years and over at the start of the apprenticeship) under clause 18.5 receive at least 80% of the standard rate in their first year, and the lowest classification rate or the relevant junior apprentice rate (whichever is greater) in subsequent years. Competency-based progression is provided for under clause 12.9 and Table 6.

Overtime Rates Under MA000119

Under clause 23 and Table 7, overtime applies to work outside the spread of hours, beyond rostered hours, or beyond ordinary hours limits.

Casual employees do not receive overtime rates for hours up to the daily and weekly maximums under clause 11.2 — they receive the casual loading instead. Casuals do receive overtime rates under clause 23.1(c) for hours worked in excess of those maximums (12 hours per day, 38 hours per week or average over the roster cycle).

Other 2026 Rates Worth Knowing

• Split shift allowance (clause 21.3): $5.34 per separate work period of 2 hours or more (FT/PT only)
• Meal allowance (clause 21.2): $16.73 where overtime exceeds 2 hours without prior notice (or in specified short-overtime scenarios)
• Tool and equipment allowance (clause 21.4): $2.03 per day or part day, capped at $9.94 per week, for cooks/apprentice cooks providing their own tools
• Superannuation (clause 22): Currently 12% of Ordinary Time Earnings under the Superannuation Guarantee. From 1 July 2026, “Payday Super” reforms require contributions to be paid at the same time as wages
• Leave loading (NES + clause 25.5): 17.5% loading on annual leave

When Rates Change

Award minimum rates are reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission Expert Panel under section 285 of the Fair Work Act. The Annual Wage Review decision typically takes effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year. The next review will be the Annual Wage Review 2025-26, expected to take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Any rate increase from the 2025-26 review will supersede the figures above. Until then, the figures here remain the applicable Award minimums for any pay period in 2026 commencing before the new determination’s effective date.

Related Restaurant Award Guides

Frequently Asked Questions