Award Rates · Penalty Rates · 2026
Retail Award Rates 2026 — Pay & Penalty Rates
1 Jul 2026
Updated 1 Jul 2026
By Fitz HR
6 min read
Reviewed against FWO Pay Guide MA000004
Getting pay rates wrong under the General Retail Industry Award MA000004 is one of the most common causes of underpayment claims in Australian retail. Eight classification levels, weekend and public holiday penalties, an evening loading and casual loading all have to line up. This guide sets out the 2026 rates and the rules behind them.
Under the General Retail Industry Award MA000004 (2026), a Retail Employee Level 1 earns $27.81/hr full-time ($34.76/hr casual). Saturday is 125% (full-time/part-time) or 150% (casual); Sunday is 150% or 175%; public holidays are 225% or 250%. An evening loading of 25% applies to ordinary hours worked after 6pm Monday to Friday. The 25% casual loading is already built into the casual penalty percentages — do not stack it on top.
Rates current as at 2026-07-01 (Annual Wage Review), sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000004. Next review 2027-07-01.
Quick Reference — Retail Award 2026
Retail Employee Level 1: $27.81/hr full-time · $34.76/hr casual
Saturday: 125% (full-time/part-time) · 150% (casual)
Sunday: 150% (full-time/part-time) · 175% (casual)
Public holiday: 225% (full-time/part-time) · 250% (casual)
Evening loading (after 6pm Mon–Fri): +25% on ordinary hours
Casual loading: 25% (already absorbed into the casual percentages above)
Retail Employee Rates by Classification Level
The Award runs from Retail Employee Level 1 (entry level) to Level 8 (the most senior in-store roles). Using the wrong level is itself a breach — a Level 3 employee paid at Level 1 is being systematically underpaid on every shift.
| Classification (full-time) | Hourly | Weekly (38h) |
|---|
| Retail Employee Level 1 | $27.81 | $1056.80 |
| Retail Employee Level 2 | $28.45 | $1081.00 |
| Retail Employee Level 3 | $28.89 | $1097.80 |
| Retail Employee Level 4 | $29.45 | $1119.10 |
| Retail Employee Level 5 | $30.66 | $1165.10 |
| Retail Employee Level 6 | $31.11 | $1182.10 |
| Retail Employee Level 7 | $32.67 | $1241.40 |
| Retail Employee Level 8 | $33.99 | $1291.80 |
Casual employees are paid the relevant level rate plus the 25% casual loading — for a Level 1 that is $34.76/hr.
Penalty Rates — Weekends & Public Holidays
Weekend and public holiday penalties are a percentage of the ordinary hourly rate. Casual percentages 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% |
For a Level 1 employee, Sunday is $41.71/hr (full-time/part-time) or $48.67/hr (casual); a public holiday is $69.52/hr for a casual.
Evening Loading & Overtime
The retail evening loading is a common trap. Ordinary hours worked after 6:00pm Monday to Friday attract a 25% loading. It applies to ordinary hours only — not to hours already paid at weekend or public holiday penalty rates.
Overtime is paid at 150% for the first 3 hours and 200% after that. On a Sunday and on public holidays, overtime is paid at the higher applicable rate. The evening loading and overtime are not paid on top of each other for the same hour — the higher single entitlement applies.
Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits
✗
Defaulting everyone to Level 1. Retail classifications turn on the actual duties and responsibility level, not job title. A supervisor or a Level 3 employee on Level 1 rates is underpaid every shift.
✗
Applying the evening loading to penalty hours. The 25% evening loading applies to ordinary hours after 6pm Mon–Fri only — not on top of Saturday, Sunday or public holiday penalties.
✗
Stacking casual loading on the casual penalty rate. The casual weekend percentages (150%, 175%, 250%) already include the 25% loading. Adding it again is double-counting.
✗
Paying Sunday rates on a public holiday. Public holidays are 225% (FT/PT) or 250% (casual) — well above Sunday. Every public holiday shift paid at Sunday rates is immediate underpayment.
✗
Missing the minimum engagement. Part-time and casual retail employees must be paid for at least 3 hours each shift. See our
minimum engagement guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base rate for a retail worker in 2026?
A Retail Employee Level 1 earns $27.81/hr full-time or $34.76/hr casual under MA000004. Rates rise with each level up to Level 8 at $33.99/hr full-time. The correct level depends on the employee’s actual duties and responsibility, not their job title.
What are the Sunday penalty rates under the Retail Award?
Sunday is 150% for full-time and part-time employees, and 175% for casuals (the casual rate already includes the 25% loading). For a Level 1 that is $41.71/hr and $48.67/hr respectively.
What is the retail evening loading?
A 25% loading on ordinary hours worked after 6:00pm Monday to Friday. It does not apply on top of weekend or public holiday penalty rates, and it is not paid at the same time as overtime for the same hour — the higher single entitlement applies.
Is casual loading paid on top of weekend penalty rates in retail?
No. The casual weekend and public holiday percentages under MA000004 are all-inclusive of the 25% casual loading. Adding the loading again is a common underpayment error found in Fair Work audits.
Is there an easy way to calculate Retail Award rates?
Get Retail Award Rates Right — Instantly
Stop guessing penalty rates. Fitz HR calculates the exact legal pay rate for any classification, day and shift under MA000004 — before the pay run.
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Retail Award Rates 2026 — Pay & Penalty Rates — FAQ
What is the base rate for a retail worker in 2026? A Retail Employee Level 1 earns $27.81/hr full-time or $34.76/hr casual under MA000004. Rates rise with each level up to Level 8 at $33.99/hr full-time. The correct level depends on the employee’s actual duties and responsibility, not their job title.
What are the Sunday penalty rates under the Retail Award? Sunday is 150% for full-time and part-time employees, and 175% for casuals (the casual rate already includes the 25% loading). For a Level 1 that is $41.71/hr and $48.67/hr respectively.
What is the retail evening loading? A 25% loading on ordinary hours worked after 6:00pm Monday to Friday. It does not apply on top of weekend or public holiday penalty rates, and it is not paid at the same time as overtime for the same hour — the higher single entitlement applies.
Is casual loading paid on top of weekend penalty rates in retail? No. The casual weekend and public holiday percentages under MA000004 are all-inclusive of the 25% casual loading. Adding the loading again is a common underpayment error found in Fair Work audits.
Is there an easy way to calculate Retail Award rates? Yes — Fitz HR calculates the exact MA000004 rate for any classification, day and shift type instantly. See the full Retail Award pay rates or ask Fitz free.