What are Fast Food Industry Award Pay Rates?
The Fast Food Industry Award Pay Rates refer to the prescribed wage rates and conditions established by the Fair Work Commission in Australia for employees working in the fast food sector. These rates outline the minimum wages, allowances, penalty rates, and various entitlements that apply to workers in this industry. Adhering to these rates is essential to guarantee equitable compensation and compliance with employment regulations.
Changes in Pay Rates
Pay rates change from 1 July each year. Award pay rates in Australia are typically determined by the Fair Work Commission and can vary based on factors such as industry, region, and job classification.
Fast Food Industry Award Pay Rates 2023
The Fast Food Industry Award MA000003 delineates the wage rates and conditions for employees in Australia’s fast food sector, encompassing workers in popular establishments such as McDonald’s and KFC. Despite the industry’s substantial size and the annual turnover of around $20 billion, adherence to these award pay rates is crucial for ensuring fair compensation and compliance with employment regulations.
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Fast Food Industry Award Pay Rates 2024
The Fair Work Commission announced significant pay increases for millions of workers when it released its Annual Wage Review judgement in July 2024.
Effective from the initial full pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2024, the revised pay rates and allowances under the Fast Food Industry Award come into effect. It is essential to highlight that full-time employees are entitled to the minimum weekly rate, while part-time employees are subject to the specified minimum hourly rate. Employers are also required to provide casual employees with an extra 25% loading for each hour worked in addition to the standard minimum hourly rate.
For a more detailed breakdown of the pay increases for different levels of workers in the Fast Food Industry Award as of September 2024, please refer to the following chart:
Adult
|
Classification |
Hourly pay rate | |
|
Full-time & part-time |
Level 1 | $25.65 |
| Level 2 | $27.17 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $27.58 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $27.92 | |
|
Casual |
Level 1 | $32.06 |
| Level 2 | $33.96 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $34.48 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $34.90 | |
Junior – Full-time & Part-time
| Classification | Weekly pay rate |
Hourly pay rate |
|
|
Under 16 years of age |
Level 1 | $389.92 | $10.26 |
| Level 2 | $412.92 | $10.87 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $419.28 | $11.03 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $424.44 | $11.17 | |
|
16 years of age |
Level 1 | $487.40 | $12.83 |
| Level 2 | $516.15 | $13.58 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $524.10 | $13.79 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $530.55 | $13.96 | |
|
17 years of age |
Level 1 | $584.88 | $15.39 |
| Level 2 | $619.38 | $16.30 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $628.92 | $16.55 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $636.66 | $16.75 | |
|
18 years of age |
Level 1 | $682.36 | $17.96 |
| Level 2 | $722.61 | $19.02 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $733.74 | $19.31 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $742.77 | $19.55 | |
|
19 years of age |
Level 1 | $779.84 | $20.52 |
| Level 2 | $825.84 | $21.73 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $838.56 | $22.07 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $848.88 | $22.34 | |
|
20 years of age |
Level 1 | $877.32 | $23.09 |
| Level 2 | $929.07 | $24.45 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $943.38 | $24.83 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $954.99 | $25.13 | |
Junior – Casual
|
Classification |
Hourly pay rate | |
|
Under 16 years of age |
Level 1 | $12.83 |
| Level 2 | $13.59 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $13.79 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $13.96 | |
|
16 years of age |
Level 1 | $16.04 |
| Level 2 | $16.98 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $17.24 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $17.45 | |
|
17 years of age |
Level 1 | $19.24 |
| Level 2 | $20.38 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $20.69 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $20.94 | |
|
18 years of age |
Level 1 | $22.45 |
| Level 2 | $23.78 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $24.14 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $24.44 | |
|
19 years of age |
Level 1 | $25.65 |
| Level 2 | $27.16 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $27.59 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $27.93 | |
|
20 years of age |
Level 1 | $28.86 |
| Level 2 | $30.56 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 1 or no persons | $31.04 | |
| Level 3 – in charge of 2 or more persons | $31.41 | |
Allowances
| Type of Allowance |
Rate |
|
Cold work |
Total of $0.89 per hour for each hour working in temperatures below 0°c |
|
District – Broken Hill |
$44.19 per week |
| Laundry – full time employees |
$6.25 per week |
| Laundry – part-time or casual employees |
$1.25 per shift |
| Meal – overtime |
$16.25 first meal; $14.66 second meal |
|
Vehicle – delivery drivers |
$0.52 |
| Vehicle – non-delivery drivers |
$0.98 |
|
Special clothing reimbursement |
reimbursement for the cost of purchasing the clothing and replacement costs, when replacement is due to normal wear and tear |
|
Transfer township reimbursement |
payment of the whole moving expenses, including fares and transport charges |
|
Transport – starting or finishing after 10pm or before 7am |
reimbursement for reasonable costs of commercial passenger vehicle transport between the place of employment to their usual place of residence |
| Working away from workplace – excess fares |
reimbursement for the cost of any fares reasonably incurred in excess of those normally incurred in travelling between home and the usual place of employment |
|
Working away from workplace – travelling time (Monday to Saturday) |
payment at the minimum hourly rate for time spent travelling in excess of time normally spent travelling between home and the usual place of employment |
|
Working away from workplace – travelling time (Sunday & public holidays) |
payment at the minimum hourly rate + 50% for time spent travelling in excess of time normally spent travelling between home and the usual place of employment |
| Working away from workplace – excess travel cost |
reimbursement for all extra transport costs incurred |
Reference: fast-food-industry-award-ma000003-pay-guide
Impact of These Changes
The modifications to the Fast Food Industry Award Pay Rates for 2024 will directly influence both employees and employers in the fast food industry.
Employees can anticipate potential wage increases or enhanced compensation packages as a result of the updated pay rates and allowances. Full-time workers will benefit from a guaranteed minimum weekly rate, ensuring a base level of income. Part-time employees will be subject to a set minimum hourly rate, while casual employees will see a rise in their earnings with an additional 25% loading for each hour worked.
Employers will need to adapt their payroll procedures to accurately reflect these changes. Ensuring compliance with the revised award rates is essential to guarantee fair compensation for employees and to uphold legal obligations. These adjustments may also impact labour costs for businesses in the fast food industry, potentially affecting financial planning and budgeting decisions.
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