What is the Award Rate for retail?
The Award Rate for retail in Australia varies depending on the specific industry, location, and level of experience of the employee. The minimum wage for adults working in the national system is currently $19.84 per hour or $753.80 per week (before tax) as of July 1, 2021. However, some industries or regions may have higher minimum wage rates due to higher cost of living or specific industry 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.
Retail Award Rates for 2023
The Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review decision means new rates of pay will apply from 1 July 2022.
There will be a $40 per week increase to Modern Awards for workers earning up to $869.60 per week and a 4.6% increase to rates above that.
This pay rise was won by the SDA, the union for retail workers, and the broader union movement who ran a strong campaign to lift wages.
Learn More:
General Retail Industry Award Guide [MA000004]
Retail Award Rates for 2024
The Fair Work Commission announced significant pay increases for millions of workers when it released its Annual Wage Review judgement in June 2023.
The Retail Award pay rates had a 5.75 percent boost as of July 1.
In terms of the retail reward, this means that adult Level 1 workers will receive an additional $1.34 per hour. The 5.75% will be applied to the rates of pay specified in the Enterprise Agreements and Awards, where the Annual Wage Review determines the rates of pay.
For a more detailed breakdown of the pay increases for different levels of workers in the Retail Award as of 2024, please refer to the following chart:
Adult
- Full-time & part-time
| Classification | Hourly pay rate |
| Retail employee level 1 | $24.73 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $25.29 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $25.68 |
| Retail employee level 4 | $26.18 |
| Retail employee level 5 | $27.26 |
| Retail employee level 6 | $27.66 |
| Retail employee level 7 | $29.04 |
| Retail employee level 8 | $30.22 |
- Casual
| Classification | Hourly pay rate |
| Retail employee level 1 | $30.91 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $31.61 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $32.10 |
| Retail employee level 4 | $32.73 |
| Retail employee level 5 | $34.08 |
| Retail employee level 6 | $34.58 |
| Retail employee level 7 | $36.30 |
| Retail employee level 8 | $37.78 |
Junior
| Classification | Hourly pay rate |
|
Full-time & part-time – Under 16 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $11.13 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $11.38 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $11.56 |
|
Full-time & part-time – 16 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $12.36 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $12.65 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $12.84 |
|
Full-time & part-time – 17 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $14.84 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $15.18 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $15.41 |
|
Full-time & part-time – 18 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $17.31 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $17.70 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $17.98 |
|
Full-time & part-time – 19 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $19.78 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $20.23 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $20.55 |
|
Full-time & part-time – 20 years of age and employed by the employer for 6 months or less |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $22.25 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $22.76 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $23.12 |
|
Full-time & part-time – 20 years of age and employed by the employer for more than 6 months |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $24.73 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $25.29 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $25.68 |
|
Casual – Under 16 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $13.91 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $14.23 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $14.45 |
|
Casual – 16 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $15.45 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $15.81 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $16.05 |
|
Casual – 17 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $18.55 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $18.98 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $19.26 |
|
Casual – 18 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $21.64 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $22.13 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $22.48 |
|
Casual – 19 years of age |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $24.73 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $25.29 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $25.69 |
|
Casual – 20 years of age and employed by the employer for 6 months or less |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $27.81 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $28.45 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $28.90 |
|
Casual – 20 years of age and employed by the employer for more than 6 months |
|
| Retail employee level 1 | $30.91 |
| Retail employee level 2 | $31.61 |
| Retail employee level 3 | $32.10 |
Apprentice
- Junior Apprentice
| Classification | Hourly pay rate |
|
4 year apprenticeship – Started before 1 Jan 2014 |
|
| Apprentice – 1st year | $13.09 |
| Apprentice – 2nd year | $15.71 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year | $20.95 |
| Apprentice – 4th year | $23.57 |
|
4 year apprenticeship – Started after 1 Jan 2014 – Did not complete year 12 |
|
| Apprentice – 1st year | $13.09 |
| Apprentice – 2nd year | $15.71 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year | $20.95 |
| Apprentice – 4th year | $23.57 |
|
4 year apprenticeship – Started after 1 Jan 2014 – Completed year 12 |
|
| Apprentice – 1st year | $14.40 |
| Apprentice – 2nd year | $17.02 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year | $20.95 |
| Apprentice – 4th year | $23.57 |
|
3 year apprenticeship – Started before 1 Jan 2014 |
|
|
Apprentice – 1st year |
$13.09 |
|
Apprentice – 2nd year |
$15.71 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year |
$20.95 |
|
3 year apprenticeship – Started after 1 Jan 2014 – Did not complete year 12 |
|
|
Apprentice – 1st year |
$13.09 |
|
Apprentice – 2nd year |
$15.71 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year |
$20.95 |
|
3 year apprenticeship – Started after 1 Jan 2014 – Completed year 12 |
|
|
Apprentice – 1st year |
$14.40 |
|
Apprentice – 2nd year |
$17.02 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year |
$20.95 |
- Adult apprentice
|
Classification |
Hourly pay rate |
|
4 year apprenticeship – Started before 1 Jan 2014 |
|
|
Apprentice – 1st year |
$13.09 |
|
Apprentice – 2nd year |
$15.71 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year |
$20.95 |
| Apprentice – 4th year |
$23.57 |
|
4 year apprenticeship – Started after 1 Jan 2014 |
|
|
Apprentice – 1st year |
$20.95 |
|
Apprentice – 2nd year |
$24.73 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year |
$24.73 |
| Apprentice – 4th year |
$24.73 |
|
3 year apprenticeship – Started before 1 Jan 2014 |
|
|
Apprentice – 1st year |
$13.09 |
|
Apprentice – 2nd year |
$15.71 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year |
$20.95 |
|
3 year apprenticeship – Started after 1 Jan 2014 |
|
|
Apprentice – 1st year |
$20.95 |
| Apprentice – 2nd year |
$24.73 |
| Apprentice – 3rd year |
$24.73 |
Reference: Pay Guide – General Retail Industry Award [MA000004]
Impact of These Changes
The increase of retail award rates can have a few different impacts.
- Increased labour costs: Retailers will have to pay their employees higher wages, which can result in increased labour costs for the business. This could potentially lead to higher prices for consumers if retailers choose to pass these costs onto them.
- Improved employee satisfaction: Higher wages can lead to improved employee satisfaction and morale. This can result in higher productivity, lower turnover rates, and better customer service, ultimately benefiting the business in the long run.
- Economic stimulus: Increasing retail award rates can also have a positive impact on the economy as a whole. When retail employees are paid more, they have more disposable income to spend on goods and services, which can stimulate economic growth.
- Potential job losses: On the flip side, some retailers may be unable to afford the increase in award rates and may have to reduce their workforce or cut hours to make up for the higher labour costs. This could result in job losses or reduced work opportunities for some employees.
Overall, the impact of the increase in retail award rates will depend on how individual retailers respond to the changes and how the broader economy adjusts to the higher wages for retail workers.
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Read More:
Case Study 1: Revealing the Difference Between Woolworths’ EBA and Retail Award
