Public holiday pay rates from 1 July 2026 under the most common awards, for full-time, part-time and casual employees, from the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides.
Most retail, fast food and hospitality workers get 225% of their ordinary rate on a public holiday, or 250% as a casual. An adult retail worker gets $62.57 an hour ($69.53 casual).
Public holiday rates by award
| Award | Classification | Ordinary hourly | Public holiday | Casual public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Retail Industry Award | Retail employee level 1 | $27.81 | $62.57 (225%) | $69.53 (250%) |
| Fast Food Industry Award | Level 1 | $27.81 | $62.57 (225%) | $69.53 (250%) |
| Hospitality Industry (General) Award | Level 1 food and beverage attendant grade 1 | $26.44 | $59.49 (225%) | $66.10 (250%) |
| Restaurant Industry Award | Level 1 food and beverage attendant grade 1 | $26.44 | $59.49 (225%) | $66.10 (250%) |
| Building and Construction General On-site Award | Carpenter (Level 3), residential, weekly hire | $31.95 | $79.88 (250%) | – |
| Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award | Electrical worker grade 5 (licensed) | $32.19 | $80.48 (250%) | $100.59 (300%) |
Adult rates from 1 July 2026. The percentage is of the full-time ordinary hourly rate; casual percentages include the 25% casual loading. Juniors get the same percentage of their junior rate.
How it works
- Public holiday penalty rates come from your award or enterprise agreement; the National Employment Standards set who is entitled to the day off.
- Some awards let an employer and employee agree to swap a public holiday for another day, or give a day off instead of the penalty.
- Which days are public holidays depends on your state or territory.
- Use the penalty rates calculator to work out a week that includes a public holiday.
Common questions
What is the public holiday rate in Australia?
It depends on your award. In retail, fast food, hospitality and restaurants, full-time and part-time staff get 225% of the ordinary rate and casuals get 250% (including the casual loading). In building and electrical contracting it's 250%.
How much do retail workers get on a public holiday?
An adult Retail employee level 1 gets $62.57 an hour on a public holiday, or $69.53 as a casual, from 1 July 2026.
How much do hospitality workers get on a public holiday?
A Level 1 food and beverage attendant gets $59.49 an hour, or $66.10 as a casual.
Do I have to work on a public holiday?
Under the National Employment Standards an employer can request you to work on a public holiday if the request is reasonable, and you can refuse if the request isn't reasonable or you have reasonable grounds.
Do I get paid if I don't work on a public holiday?
Full-time and part-time employees who would normally work that day are paid their base rate for their ordinary hours. Casuals aren't paid if they don't work.
See also junior pay rates, the national minimum wage and building trades pay.
Sources: Fair Work pay guide MA000004; Fair Work pay guide MA000003; Fair Work pay guide MA000009; Fair Work pay guide MA000119; Fair Work pay guide MA000020; Fair Work pay guide MA000025. Checked 2026-10-21. General information only.