Penalty Rates · MA000004
Retail Award Penalty Rates — Sunday & Public Holidays
1 Jul 2026
Updated 1 Jul 2026
By Fitz HR
5 min read
Reviewed against FWO Pay Guide MA000004
Weekend and public holiday penalty rates are where retail underpayment claims are won and lost. This guide sets out the exact General Retail Industry Award MA000004 penalty rates for 2026 and how they apply to full-time, part-time and casual employees.
Under MA000004, Saturday is 125% (full-time/part-time) or 150% (casual); Sunday is 150% or 175%; public holidays are 225% or 250%. Casual percentages already include the 25% casual loading. A retail employee who works a public holiday can be offered a substitute day only by agreement, and part-time/casual employees are still owed their minimum 3-hour engagement.
Rates current as at 2026-07-01 (Annual Wage Review), sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000004. Next review 2027-07-01.
Retail Penalty Rates 2026
Saturday: 125% (FT/PT) · 150% (casual)
Sunday: 150% (FT/PT) · 175% (casual)
Public holiday: 225% (FT/PT) · 250% (casual)
Casual loading: 25%, already included above
The Penalty Rate Table
All percentages are of the ordinary hourly rate. Casual rates are all-inclusive of the 25% loading.
| When worked | Full-time / part-time | Casual (all-inclusive) |
|---|
| Saturday | 125% | 150% |
| Sunday | 150% | 175% |
| Public holiday | 225% | 250% |
Worked Examples
For a Retail Employee Level 1 on $27.81/hr:
- Saturday: $34.76/hr (FT/PT) · $41.71/hr (casual)
- Sunday: $41.71/hr (FT/PT) · $48.67/hr (casual)
- Public holiday: $62.57/hr (FT/PT) · $69.52/hr (casual)
A single public holiday shift paid at Sunday rates instead of the correct public holiday rate is an underpayment on every hour worked.
Public Holiday Rules
Under the National Employment Standards, an employee can refuse to work a public holiday if the request is unreasonable or their refusal is reasonable. A part-time or casual employee who does work still receives their minimum 3-hour engagement. A substitute day can only replace a public holiday by genuine agreement.
Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits
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Paying Sunday rates on public holidays. Public holidays are 225%/250%, not 150%/175%.
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Stacking casual loading on the casual penalty rate. The casual percentages already include the 25% loading.
✗
Forgetting the minimum engagement on weekends. Part-time and casual employees are owed at least 3 hours per shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sunday rate for retail workers in 2026?
150% for full-time and part-time employees, and 175% for casuals under MA000004. For a Level 1 that is $41.71/hr and $48.67/hr.
What is the public holiday rate under the Retail Award?
225% for full-time and part-time, and 250% for casuals. The casual rate already includes the 25% loading.
Do retail casuals get penalty rates on top of casual loading?
No — the casual penalty percentages are all-inclusive. The 25% loading is already built into 150% (Saturday), 175% (Sunday) and 250% (public holiday).
Can a retail employee refuse to work a public holiday?
Yes, in the circumstances set out in the National Employment Standards — where the request to work is unreasonable, or the employee’s refusal is reasonable, taking into account their personal circumstances and the needs of the business.
What is the minimum shift on a weekend in retail?
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Retail Award Penalty Rates — Sunday & Public Holidays — FAQ
What is the Sunday rate for retail workers in 2026? 150% for full-time and part-time employees, and 175% for casuals under MA000004. For a Level 1 that is $41.71/hr and $48.67/hr.
What is the public holiday rate under the Retail Award? 225% for full-time and part-time, and 250% for casuals. The casual rate already includes the 25% loading.
Do retail casuals get penalty rates on top of casual loading? No — the casual penalty percentages are all-inclusive. The 25% loading is already built into 150% (Saturday), 175% (Sunday) and 250% (public holiday).
Can a retail employee refuse to work a public holiday? Yes, in the circumstances set out in the National Employment Standards — where the request to work is unreasonable, or the employee’s refusal is reasonable, taking into account their personal circumstances and the needs of the business.
What is the minimum shift on a weekend in retail? 3 hours for part-time and casual employees — see our minimum engagement guide.