Horticulture Award pay rates from 1 July 2026: hourly and casual rates for levels 1 to 5, shift, overtime and public holiday rates, the piece rate rules for fruit pickers, and take-home pay in 2026–27.
Level 1 under the Horticulture Award is $25.74 an hour, or $32.18 for a casual. Pieceworkers can't earn less than that for the hours they work. Open in the pay calculator.
Horticulture Award pay rates
| Level | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $25.74 | $32.18 | $978.10 | $50,861 | $1,704 |
| Level 2 | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.90 | $52,255 | $1,740 |
| Level 3 | $26.84 | $33.55 | $1,020.10 | $53,045 | $1,760 |
| Level 4 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.90 | $54,959 | $1,809 |
| Level 5 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
Adult rates without the first aid, leading hand or wet work allowances. 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. Working holiday makers pay a different tax rate.
Shift, overtime and public holiday rates
| Level | Afternoon shift | Night shift | Overtime Mon-Sat | Public holiday | Casual overtime | Casual outside span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $29.60 | $29.60 | $38.61 | $51.48 | $36.04 | $57.92 |
| Level 2 | $30.41 | $30.41 | $39.66 | $52.88 | $37.02 | $59.49 |
| Level 3 | $30.87 | $30.87 | $40.26 | $53.68 | $37.58 | $60.39 |
| Level 4 | $31.98 | $31.98 | $41.72 | $55.62 | $38.93 | $62.57 |
| Level 5 | $33.87 | $33.87 | $44.18 | $58.90 | $41.23 | $66.26 |
Piece rates for fruit pickers
- An employer may pay a piece rate (per bin, bucket, punnet or kilogram) to full-time, part-time or casual employees.
- The piece rate must be set so a pieceworker working at the average productivity of competent pieceworkers earns at least 15% more per hour than their hourly rate.
- Whatever you pick, you must be paid at least your hourly rate (with the casual loading if casual) for every hour worked that day.
- Your employer must give you a signed piecework record before you start. On public holidays pieceworkers get 200% of the piece rate.
| Level | Casual hourly floor | Average-productivity target (+15%) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $32.18 | $37.01 |
| Level 2 | $33.05 | $38.01 |
| Level 3 | $33.55 | $38.58 |
| Level 4 | $34.76 | $39.97 |
| Level 5 | $36.81 | $42.33 |
How it works
- The Horticulture Award 2020 covers employers in the horticulture industry and their employees.
- Casuals get a 25% loading instead of paid leave. Super is paid on top.
Common questions
What is the Horticulture Award pay rate?
From 1 July 2026, Level 1 is $25.74 an hour ($978.10 a week), or $32.18 for a casual, up to $29.45 ($36.81 casual) at Level 5.
How much do fruit pickers get paid?
Fruit pickers on hourly rates get at least the award rate: $32.18 an hour for a casual at Level 1. Pickers on piece rates must be paid at least the hourly rate for every hour worked each day, and the piece rate must be set so a competent picker at average productivity earns at least 15% more ($37.01 an hour for a casual at Level 1).
Can I be paid less than the minimum wage on piece rates?
No. Under clause 15.2(f) of the award, a pieceworker must be paid no less than the hourly rate for their level (plus the casual loading if casual) multiplied by the hours worked that day.
Does the Horticulture Award have weekend rates?
Work outside the span of ordinary hours is paid at a higher rate ($36.04 for a Level 1 casual), and overtime is time and a half Monday to Saturday ($38.61 at Level 1). Public holidays are double time ($51.48).
What must my employer give me before piecework starts?
A written piecework record signed by the employer, stating when the piecework starts, the task, and the piece rate, among other details.
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 the casual loading calculator, landscaper and gardener pay and the national minimum wage.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide and award text (clause 15.2 piece rates), Horticulture Award 2020 [MA000028], 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.