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Pharmacy Award pay rates 2026–27

MA000012 · rates as at 1 July 2026 (first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026)

The Pharmacy Industry Award covers community pharmacies. Evening rates apply between 7pm and 9pm on weekdays. These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Assistant Level 1 Casual

Pharmacy Assistant Level 1. Award evening band is 7–9pm; Shiftbreeze applies it from 7pm to shift end.

Base (ordinary hours)$34.76 /hr
Saturday$41.72 /hr
Sunday$48.67 /hr
Public holiday$69.53 /hr
Evening (from 7pm)$41.72 /hr

Assistant Level 1 Full/Part-time

Pharmacy Assistant Level 1 (permanent staff). Award evening band is 7–9pm; Shiftbreeze applies it from 7pm to shift end.

Base (ordinary hours)$27.81 /hr
Saturday$34.76 /hr
Sunday$41.72 /hr
Public holiday$62.57 /hr
Evening (from 7pm)$34.76 /hr

Junior rates by age

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

Age% of adultBase /hrSat /hrSun /hrPH /hr
Under 1645%$15.64$18.77$21.90$31.29
16 years50%$17.38$20.86$24.34$34.77
17 years60%$20.86$25.03$29.20$41.72
18 years70%$24.33$29.20$34.07$48.67
19 years80%$27.81$33.38$38.94$55.62
20 years90%$31.28$37.55$43.80$62.58
21+ (adult)100%$34.76$41.72$48.67$69.53

Common questions

What does a pharmacy assistant earn in 2026?

An adult Pharmacy Assistant Level 1 casual earns $34.76 per hour for ordinary weekday hours from 1 July 2026, including the 25% casual loading. Permanent staff earn $27.81 per hour.

What are pharmacy weekend rates?

Saturdays are 125% for permanent staff and 150% of base for casuals. Sundays are 150% permanent and 175% casual. Public holidays are 225% permanent and 250% casual.

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 Pharmacy 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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