Minimum Pay Rates in Australia for the 10 Most Popular Casual & Part-time Jobs
If you have just arrived in Australia or planning to move to Australia, you might have heard a term “Minimum Wage”.
A Minimum Wage is an employee’s base rate of pay for ordinary hours worked. Basically, a minimum amount that employee must be paid for the work.
Although, it can vary based on your age, occupation, industry, employment levels etc, but an employee must be paid a minimum wage for their work in Australia.
In Australia, Fair Work Commission reviews and sets the minimum wages each year.
This gets updated each year on 1st July, which is the start of the new financial year in Australia.
What is the current minimum wage in Australia?
As from 1st July 2024 until 30th June 2025, the new national minimum wage is:
| Per Hour | Per Week (38 hours) | |
|---|---|---|
| National Minimum Wage | A$24.10 | A$915.90 |
This is 3.75% increase from the previous years minimum wage of $23.23 per hour
Please note that the above figures are before taxes, which means employers are expected to take taxes from the minimum wage depending on your income.
But apart from this standard national minimum wage, there is a separate minimum wage for each industry and job in Australia.
Unfortunately, many international students don’t know some of these laws and rules, and they get exploited at work.
So we went to Fair Work Australia website, checked every possible award rate for the most popular part-time and casual jobs that our international students often do in Australia.
In this article, we are going to look at the current pay rates in Australia for some of the most popular casual & part-time jobs.
Before we look at the pay rates, here are a few points to keep in mind:
- These rates are correct as on 19th July 2024.
- Although, these pay rates get updated only once or twice a year, but If you want the updated rates, please check Fairwork Australia.
- These rates are for the lowest grade of employment.
- All these rates are for employees aged above 21 years of age.
- These rates do not include any penalty, public holidays, night or other over-time rates.
- Some of the positions have been selected for specific industries, but these positions could be available in other industries under different award rates, so please make sure to check your award rate as per your agreement with your employer.
Please note that these pay rates are indicative only and can vary based on specific employer agreements or changes in the award. For the up-to-date information, refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
We cannot guarantee or accept any liability for the accuracy, reliability, correctness and completeness of the data.
Fast food cashier pay rate
Under Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003), Level 1 fast food cashiers are paid $25.65 per hour (for full-time and part-time employees) and $32.06 per hour (for casuals).
This Award is for businesses in the fast food industry who prepare, serve, sell, and deliver fast food for takeout or consumption in food courts, shopping malls, or retail complexes.
Security guard pay rate
Under the Security Services Industry Award (MA000016), Level 1 security officers are paid $26.22 per hour (for full-time and part-time employees) and $32.78 per hour (for casuals).
The Security Award covers security services employers and their staff members who fall under the award’s categories. This includes labour hiring and group training companies, as well as the staff members who are hired by and put with a company that provides security services.
Cleaner pay rate
Under the Cleaning Services Award (MA000022), Level 1 cleaners are paid $24.97 per hour (for full-time), $28.72 per hour (for part-time) and $31.21 per hour (for casuals).
This Award is for businesses in the contract cleaning services industry and their employees who come under this award’s job classifications.
Food and beverage attendant pay rate
Under the Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119), Level 1 food and beverage attendants are paid $23.46 per hour (for full-time and part-time employees) and $29.33 per hour (for casuals).
This Award is for businesses in the restaurant industry and their employees that mainly sell food that is consumed at the premises, including restaurants, catering by restaurant, cafés, nightclubs, tearooms, roadhouses, etc.
Aged care worker pay rate
Under the Aged Care Award (MA000018), Level 1 aged care workers (direct care employee) are paid $28.60 per hour (for full-time and part-time employees) and $35.75 per hour (for casuals).
This Award is for businesses and employees in the aged care industry that provide accommodation and care services in hostels, nursing homes, aged care independent living units, aged care services apartments, garden settlements, retirement villages and any other residential accommodation facility.
Event staff pay rate
Under the Amusement, Events and Recreation Award (MA000080), Introductory levels are $23.46 per hour (for full-time and part-time employees) $29.33 per hour (for casuals).
This Award is for businesses in the amusement, events and recreation industry and their employees who fit within the classifications of the award.
General Labourer pay rate
Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) (level a) General Labourer working in the Construction industry are paid $24.60 per hour.
This Award is for businesses in the building and construction industry and their employees who fit within the classifications of the award including general building and construction, civil construction and metal and engineering construction.
Retail assistant pay rate
Under the General Retail Industry Award (MA000004), Level 1 retail assistants are paid $25.65 per hour (for full-time and part-time employees) $32.06 per hour (for casuals).
This Award is for businesses involved in the retail sale or rental of goods or services for domestic, commercial, or industrial use; however, it excludes some businesses that are covered by other awards, such as pharmacies, independent butcher shops, nurseries, motor vehicles, fuel, and parts.
Removalist pay rate
Under the Road Transport and Distribution Award (MA000038), Transport Worker Grade 1 employees are paid $24.78 per hour (for full-time and part-time employees) $30.98 per hour (for casuals).
This Award is for businesses in the road transport and distribution industry and their employees who fit within the classifications of the award.
Receptionist pay rate
Under the Clerks – Private Sector Award (MA000002), Level 1 employees are paid $24.87 per hour (for full-time and part-time employees) $31.09 per hour (for casuals).
This Award is for the employees who mainly carry out clerical and administrative work and their employers in the private sector.
Bonus
Hairdressers pay rate
Under the Hair and Beauty Award (MA000005), Level 1 hair and beauty staff are paid $25.65 per hour (for full-time and part-time employees) and $32.06 per hour (for casuals).
This award is for businesses in the hair and beauty sector, including independent hairdressers and businesses that offer services like manicures, body hair removal, or makeup application.
If you are unsure about your pay rate and would like to check it, here is a step-by-step guide on how to check your pay rate correctly in Australia:
