Fast Food Award pay rates from 1 July 2026: hourly, casual, late night, weekend and public holiday rates for every level, junior rates by age, and take-home pay in 2026–27.
An adult Level 1 fast food worker earns at least $27.81 an hour, or $34.76 as a casual. Casuals get $41.72 on Saturdays and Sundays. Open in the pay calculator.
Fast Food Award pay rates by level
| Level | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.80 | $54,954 | $1,809 |
| Level 2 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
| Level 3, in charge of 1 or no persons | $29.91 | $37.39 | $1,136.40 | $59,093 | $1,914 |
| Level 3, in charge of 2 or more persons | $30.27 | $37.84 | $1,150.40 | $59,821 | $1,933 |
Adult rates (21 and over). Full-time weekly rate for 38 hours; take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27.
Which level am I?
- Level 1: Taking orders, preparing, cooking, selling, serving or delivering food and drinks sold mainly to take away or in food courts, plus incidental cleaning.
- Level 2: Day-to-day responsibility for supervising Level 1 staff or training new staff, or required to use trade skills.
- Level 3: Appointed to be in charge of a shop, food outlet or delivery outlet.
Late night, weekend and public holiday rates
Full-time and part-time
| Level | Mon-Fri 10pm-midnight | Mon-Fri midnight-6am | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $30.59 | $31.98 | $34.76 | $34.76 | $62.57 |
| Level 2 | $32.40 | $33.87 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $66.26 |
| Level 3, in charge of 1 or no persons | $32.90 | $34.40 | $37.39 | $44.87 | $67.30 |
| Level 3, in charge of 2 or more persons | $33.30 | $34.81 | $37.84 | $45.41 | $68.11 |
Casual
| Level | Mon-Fri 10pm-midnight | Mon-Fri midnight-6am | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $37.54 | $38.93 | $41.72 | $41.72 | $69.53 |
| Level 2 | $39.76 | $41.23 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $73.63 |
| Level 3, in charge of 1 or no persons | $40.38 | $41.87 | $44.87 | $52.34 | $74.78 |
| Level 3, in charge of 2 or more persons | $40.86 | $42.38 | $45.41 | $52.97 | $75.68 |
Overtime is time and a half for the first 2 hours, then double time.
Junior rates (Level 1)
| Age | Hourly | Saturday | Sunday | Casual | Casual Saturday | Casual Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 (40%) | $11.12 | $13.90 | $13.90 | $13.90 | $16.68 | $16.68 |
| 16 (50%) | $13.91 | $17.39 | $17.39 | $17.39 | $20.87 | $20.87 |
| 17 (60%) | $16.69 | $20.86 | $20.86 | $20.86 | $25.04 | $25.04 |
| 18 (70%) | $19.47 | $24.34 | $24.34 | $24.34 | $29.21 | $29.21 |
| 19 (80%) | $22.25 | $27.81 | $27.81 | $27.81 | $33.38 | $33.38 |
| 20 (90%) | $25.03 | $31.29 | $31.29 | $31.29 | $37.55 | $37.55 |
| 21 and over (adult) (100%) | $27.81 | $34.76 | $34.76 | $34.76 | $41.72 | $41.72 |
Percentages of the adult rate. See junior pay rates for retail too.
How it works
- The Fast Food Industry Award 2020 covers takeaway food businesses, food court outlets and takeaway cafes.
- Some big chains pay under their own enterprise agreements: see Hungry Jack's and other employers.
- Casuals get a 25% loading instead of paid leave. Super is paid on top.
Common questions
What is the Fast Food Award pay rate?
From 1 July 2026, an adult Level 1 fast food employee gets at least $27.81 an hour ($1,056.80 a week), or $34.76 as a casual. Level 2 is $29.45 and Level 3 (in charge of a shop) $29.91 to $30.27.
What do fast food workers get on Sundays?
Level 1 employees get 125% on Sundays ($34.76 full time or part time) and casuals 150% ($41.72). Levels 2 and 3 get 150% ($44.18 at Level 2) and casuals 175%.
How much do 15 and 16-year-olds get paid in fast food?
Under 16s get 40% of the adult rate: $13.90 an hour as a casual. At 16 it's 50%: $17.39 casual.
Is there a late night rate?
Yes. Monday to Friday work from 10pm to midnight is 110% ($30.59 at Level 1) and from midnight to 6am 115% ($31.98).
Who does the Fast Food Award cover?
Businesses selling food and drinks mainly to take away or in food courts, including takeaway cafes and businesses' own delivery drivers. Cafes and restaurants that mainly serve customers on the premises are under the Restaurant award.
When do the 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 barista pay, delivery rider minimum pay and the casual loading calculator.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide and award text, Fast Food Industry Award 2020 [MA000003], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.