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Fast Food Award pay rates 2026–27

MA000003 · rates as at 1 July 2026 (first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026)

The Fast Food Industry Award covers takeaway food businesses where food is mainly sold to be consumed elsewhere. At Level 1 (most crew), Sunday rates match Saturday rates. These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Level 1 Casual

Fast Food Employee Level 1 (crew). At Level 1, Sunday matches Saturday. Evening rate applies Mon–Fri from 10pm.

Base (ordinary hours)$34.76 /hr
Saturday$41.72 /hr
Sunday$41.72 /hr
Public holiday$69.53 /hr
Evening (from 10pm)$37.54 /hr

Level 1 Full/Part-time

Fast Food Employee Level 1 (permanent staff). At Level 1, Sunday matches Saturday. Evening rate applies Mon–Fri from 10pm.

Base (ordinary hours)$27.81 /hr
Saturday$34.76 /hr
Sunday$34.76 /hr
Public holiday$62.57 /hr
Evening (from 10pm)$30.59 /hr

Junior rates by age

Junior percentages applied to the fast food — level 1 casual figures. The same percentages apply to the other classifications above.

Age% of adultBase /hrSat /hrSun /hrPH /hr
Under 1640%$13.90$16.69$16.69$27.81
16 years50%$17.38$20.86$20.86$34.77
17 years60%$20.86$25.03$25.03$41.72
18 years70%$24.33$29.20$29.20$48.67
19 years80%$27.81$33.38$33.38$55.62
20 years90%$31.28$37.55$37.55$62.58
21+ (adult)100%$34.76$41.72$41.72$69.53

Common questions

What does a fast food worker earn in 2026?

An adult Level 1 casual earns $34.76 per hour for ordinary weekday hours from 1 July 2026, including the 25% casual loading. Full-time and part-time Level 1 staff earn $27.81 per hour.

What are the junior rates under the Fast Food Award?

Under 16 receives 40% of the adult rate, 16-year-olds 50%, 17-year-olds 60%, 18-year-olds 70%, 19-year-olds 80% and 20-year-olds 90%, reaching the adult rate at 21.

What is the evening penalty in fast food?

Hours between 10pm and midnight Monday to Friday attract a 10% loading for permanent staff, with a further loading between midnight and 6am.

General information only, not legal or workplace-relations advice. Awards also include rules not shown here (overtime, allowances, late-night loadings, classification detail). Always confirm rates against the current Fair Work pay guide before paying staff.

Apply these rates automatically

Shiftbreeze prefills Fast Food Award rates into your pay templates — weekend, public holiday, evening and junior rates included — and your roster prices every shift as you build it. $60/month flat for your first 10 staff, free trial, no card needed.

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