Wine Industry Award pay rates from 1 July 2026: hourly, casual and weekly rates for grades 1 to 5, vintage Saturday and cellar door Sunday rates, shift, overtime and public holiday rates, and take-home pay in 2026–27.
Grade 1 is $25.79 an hour for the first 6 months ($32.24 casual) and $26.44 after that. Grade 5 is $31.30. Open in the pay calculator.
Wine Industry Award pay rates
| Grade | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 (first 6 months) | $25.79 | $32.24 | $979.90 | $50,955 | $1,706 |
| Grade 1 (after 6 months) | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.90 | $52,255 | $1,740 |
| Grade 2 | $26.84 | $33.55 | $1,020.10 | $53,045 | $1,760 |
| Grade 3 | $27.91 | $34.89 | $1,060.70 | $55,156 | $1,814 |
| Grade 4 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
| Grade 5 | $31.30 | $39.13 | $1,189.40 | $61,849 | $1,985 |
Adult rates; the same grade rates apply in every stream (bottling, cellar, cellar door sales, laboratory, vineyard, coopers). 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. Junior and apprentice rates are in the pay guide.
Weekend and public holiday rates
| Grade | Saturday | Sunday (cellar door) | Public holiday | Casual Saturday | Casual Sunday (cellar door) | Casual public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 (first 6 months) | $32.24 | $51.58 | $64.48 | $38.69 | $58.03 | $70.92 |
| Grade 1 (after 6 months) | $33.05 | $52.88 | $66.10 | $39.66 | $59.49 | $72.71 |
| Grade 2 | $33.55 | $53.68 | $67.10 | $40.26 | $60.39 | $73.81 |
| Grade 3 | $34.89 | $55.82 | $69.78 | $41.87 | $62.80 | $76.75 |
| Grade 4 | $36.81 | $58.90 | $73.63 | $44.18 | $66.26 | $80.99 |
| Grade 5 | $39.13 | – | $78.25 | $46.95 | – | $86.08 |
Saturday rates shown apply to the vineyard stream during vintage and the cellar door stream; Sunday rates to the cellar door stream (no Grade 5 in that stream). Other weekend work is in the pay guide.
Shift and overtime rates
| Grade | Afternoon or night shift | Overtime first 2 hours | Overtime after 2 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 (first 6 months) | $29.66 | $38.69 | $51.58 |
| Grade 1 (after 6 months) | $30.41 | $39.66 | $52.88 |
| Grade 2 | $30.87 | $40.26 | $53.68 |
| Grade 3 | $32.10 | $41.87 | $55.82 |
| Grade 4 | $33.87 | $44.18 | $58.90 |
| Grade 5 | $36.00 | $46.95 | $62.60 |
How it works
- The Wine Industry Award covers wineries and vineyards: grape growing, winemaking, bottling, laboratories, cellar door sales and coopers.
- Grade 1 is a training level; you progress by completing accredited modules for your stream.
- Casuals get a 25% loading instead of paid leave. Super is paid on top.
Common questions
What is the Wine Industry Award pay rate?
From 1 July 2026, Grade 1 is $25.79 an hour for the first 6 months ($32.24 casual), then $26.44, up to $31.30 at Grade 5.
How much do cellar door staff get paid?
Cellar door sales staff get the same grade rates, for example $26.84 an hour at Grade 2. Saturdays are paid at $33.55 and Sundays at $53.68.
What do vineyard workers get during vintage?
Vineyard stream employees working Saturdays during vintage get 125% ($32.24 at Grade 1, first 6 months).
How do I move up a grade?
Grade 1 is an induction and training level. Employees move up after passing accredited assessments in the training modules for each grade in their stream (Schedule A of the award).
What is the public holiday rate?
250% ($64.48 at Grade 1, first 6 months), or $70.92 for casuals.
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 Horticulture Award for fruit picking, hospitality pay rates and the casual loading calculator.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide and award text (Schedule A), Wine Industry Award [MA000090], 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.