Evening Loading · MA000004

Retail Award Evening Loading Explained

1 Jul 2026 Updated 1 Jul 2026 By Fitz HR 4 min read Reviewed against FWO Pay Guide MA000004

The retail evening loading is one of the most misapplied provisions in the General Retail Industry Award MA000004. It is easy to forget for late-trading stores — and just as easy to double-count. Here is exactly how it works in 2026.

Under MA000004, a 25% loading applies to ordinary hours worked after 6:00pm Monday to Friday. It applies to ordinary hours only — not to hours already paid at Saturday, Sunday or public holiday penalty rates, and not on top of overtime for the same hour. For a Retail Employee Level 1 on $27.81/hr, evening ordinary hours are paid at $34.76/hr.

Rates current as at 2026-07-01 (Annual Wage Review), sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000004. Next review 2027-07-01.

Evening Loading — At a Glance

Loading: +25% on the ordinary hourly rate
When: ordinary hours after 6:00pm, Monday to Friday
Level 1 example: $34.76/hr (from $27.81/hr)
Does not stack with weekend/public holiday penalties or overtime

When the Loading Applies

The 25% evening loading applies to ordinary hours worked after 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. If a full-time or part-time employee is rostered until 9pm on a Wednesday, every ordinary hour from 6pm to 9pm attracts the loading.

It does not apply on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays — those days are covered by their own penalty rates instead. You never pay the evening loading and a weekend penalty on the same hour.

How It Interacts with Overtime

The evening loading applies to ordinary hours. Once an employee moves into overtime, overtime rates apply (150% for the first 3 hours, 200% after) and the evening loading is not added on top of overtime for the same hour — the higher single entitlement applies.

Why It Gets Missed

Late-trading stores often pay a flat hourly rate and forget the evening loading entirely, or apply it as a percentage of the wrong base. Because it only affects hours after 6pm, the underpayment can be small per shift but compounds quickly across a roster of evening staff.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits

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Ignoring the loading for late-trading stores. Every ordinary hour after 6pm Mon–Fri attracts 25%.
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Applying it on weekends. Saturday/Sunday/public holiday penalties replace the evening loading — never both on the same hour.
✗
Adding it on top of overtime. Once hours become overtime, the overtime rate applies, not the evening loading as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the retail evening loading in 2026?
A 25% loading on ordinary hours worked after 6:00pm Monday to Friday under MA000004. For a Level 1 employee that lifts $27.81/hr to $34.76/hr.
Does the evening loading apply on weekends?
No. Saturday, Sunday and public holiday penalty rates apply on those days instead — the evening loading is a Monday-to-Friday provision only.
Is the evening loading paid on top of overtime?
No. The evening loading applies to ordinary hours; once hours become overtime, the overtime rate applies and the higher single entitlement is paid — not both.
Does the evening loading apply to casuals?
Yes — casual employees receive the 25% evening loading on ordinary evening hours in addition to their casual loading, because they are different entitlements for different reasons.

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Retail Award Evening Loading Explained — FAQ

What is the retail evening loading in 2026? A 25% loading on ordinary hours worked after 6:00pm Monday to Friday under MA000004. For a Level 1 employee that lifts $27.81/hr to $34.76/hr.

Does the evening loading apply on weekends? No. Saturday, Sunday and public holiday penalty rates apply on those days instead — the evening loading is a Monday-to-Friday provision only.

Is the evening loading paid on top of overtime? No. The evening loading applies to ordinary hours; once hours become overtime, the overtime rate applies and the higher single entitlement is paid — not both.

Does the evening loading apply to casuals? Yes — casual employees receive the 25% evening loading on ordinary evening hours in addition to their casual loading, because they are different entitlements for different reasons.