Barista pay rates from 1 July 2026 under the two awards that cover cafes: the Restaurant Industry Award (mainly eat-in cafes) and the Fast Food Industry Award (takeaway coffee shops), with casual, weekend, junior and public holiday rates.
A barista in an eat-in cafe earns at least $27.08 an hour ($33.85 casual) at grade 2. In a takeaway coffee shop it's $27.81 ($34.76 casual). Full time, that's $1,772 to $1,809 a fortnight after tax.
Which award applies?
- Eat-in cafe (mainly sells food and drinks to have on the premises, or offers table service): Restaurant Industry Award.
- Takeaway cafe or coffee kiosk (mainly sells coffee and food packaged to take away, including in food courts): Fast Food Industry Award.
- Hotel, pub or club: usually the Hospitality award; see hospitality pay rates.
Eat-in cafe baristas (Restaurant award)
The award doesn't use the word barista: you're classified by your duties and training. Grade 2 covers general waiting duties and taking money by someone who hasn't yet reached the appropriate level of training; grade 3 is the same work with that training.
Full-time and part-time
| Level | Weekday | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F&B grade 1 | $26.44 | $33.05 | $39.66 | $59.49 |
| F&B grade 2 | $27.08 | $33.85 | $40.62 | $60.93 |
| F&B grade 3 | $27.97 | $34.96 | $41.96 | $62.93 |
Casual
| Level | Weekday | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F&B grade 1 | $33.05 | $39.66 | $39.66 | $66.10 |
| F&B grade 2 | $33.85 | $40.62 | $40.62 | $67.70 |
| F&B grade 3 | $34.96 | $41.96 | $48.95 | $69.93 |
Weekday hours after 10pm get an extra $2.95 an hour, and $4.42 an hour from midnight to 6am. Grade 2 full time is $1,029.10 a week (about $53,513 a year).
Takeaway cafe baristas (Fast Food award)
Level 1 covers taking orders, preparing and serving food and drinks sold mainly to take away. Level 2 is for staff who supervise or train other level 1 staff day to day, or use trade skills.
Full-time and part-time
| Level | Weekday | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $34.76 | $62.57 |
| Level 2 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $66.26 |
Casual
| Level | Weekday | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $34.76 | $41.72 | $41.72 | $69.53 |
| Level 2 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $73.63 |
Level 1 full time is $1,056.80 a week (about $54,954 a year). Weekday work from 10pm to midnight is $30.59 and midnight to 6am $31.98 an hour at level 1.
Junior barista pay rates
Eat-in cafe, grade 2
| Age | Hourly | Casual hourly | Casual Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 17 (50%) | $13.54 | $16.93 | $20.31 |
| 17 (60%) | $16.25 | $20.31 | $24.38 |
| 18 (70%) | $18.96 | $23.70 | $28.44 |
| 19 (85%) | $23.02 | $28.78 | $34.53 |
| 20 and over (adult) | $27.08 | $33.85 | $40.62 |
Juniors serving alcohol must be paid the adult rate.
Takeaway cafe, level 1
| Age | Hourly | Casual hourly | Casual Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 (40%) | $11.12 | $13.90 | $16.68 |
| 16 (50%) | $13.91 | $17.39 | $20.87 |
| 17 (60%) | $16.69 | $20.86 | $25.04 |
| 18 (70%) | $19.47 | $24.34 | $29.21 |
| 19 (80%) | $22.25 | $27.81 | $33.38 |
| 20 (90%) | $25.03 | $31.29 | $37.55 |
| 21 and over (adult) (100%) | $27.81 | $34.76 | $41.72 |
More junior rates on the junior pay rates page.
How it works
- Casuals get a 25% loading instead of paid leave. Saturday, Sunday and public holiday rates for casuals are set in the award.
- Your employer can pay more than the award but not less. Check your payslip shows your classification.
- Super is paid on top of these rates.
Common questions
How much does a barista get paid in Australia?
In a mainly eat-in cafe the award minimum is $27.08 an hour for a food and beverage attendant grade 2 ($33.85 casual) from 1 July 2026. In a takeaway coffee shop it's $27.81 an hour ($34.76 casual) under the Fast Food award. Many cafes pay more.
What is the casual barista rate?
$33.85 an hour at grade 2 in an eat-in cafe, or $34.76 at level 1 in a takeaway cafe, including the 25% casual loading.
What do baristas get paid on Sundays?
In an eat-in cafe, $40.62 for full-time and part-time grade 2 staff and $40.62 for casuals. In a takeaway cafe, $34.76 for full-time and part-time level 1 staff and $41.72 for casuals.
How much does a 16 or 17-year-old barista get paid?
Under the Restaurant award a casual grade 2 barista gets $16.93 an hour under 17 and $20.31 at 17. Under the Fast Food award a casual gets $17.39 at 16 and $20.86 at 17.
Which award covers baristas?
The Fair Work Ombudsman says baristas in mainly eat-in cafes are covered by the Restaurant Industry Award, and baristas in fast food shops or takeaway cafes by the Fast Food Industry Award. Baristas in hotels, pubs and clubs are usually under the Hospitality award.
When do barista award rates go up?
Each year from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also hospitality pay rates, chef salary, the casual loading calculator and weekend pay rates.
Sources: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides for the Restaurant Industry Award [MA000119] and the Fast Food Industry Award [MA000003], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026; award coverage from the Fair Work Ombudsman award summaries. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.