Fast Food Industry Award: Pay Rates & Key Rules (2026)
The fast food industry award sets the minimum pay and conditions for most fast food employees in the national system, and modern award minimum rates rose 4.75% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Your exact rate depends on the classification level, your age, whether you are full-time, part-time or casual, and when you work.
Use the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for the current dollar rate. This guide shows how the fast food award pay structure fits together, so you can check a payslip or build a roster with confidence.
Fast food industry award: rates and rules
The table shows the structure of the fast food award pay guide. Where a dollar rate is not listed, take it from the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for the award and the right classification.
| Item | What the rule is | Where to confirm it |
|---|---|---|
| Award minimum rates | Rose 4.75% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026 | Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for the award |
| Classification levels | Each employee sits at a level based on duties, skills and responsibility, and each level has its own base hourly rate | Pay guide, classification section |
| Junior rates | Employees under the adult age can be paid a set percentage of the adult rate for their age | Pay guide, junior rates section |
| Casual loading | 25% on top of the base rate under most awards, paid in place of paid leave | Pay guide, casual section |
| Penalty rates | Extra pay for evenings, nights, weekends, public holidays and overtime, as set by the award | Pay guide, penalty rates section |
| Public holidays | Employees are paid for ordinary hours they would have worked; casuals are paid only if they work | Pay guide and Fair Work Ombudsman public holidays page |
| Safety net for award-free casuals | At least $33.05 per hour from 1 July 2026, including the 25% loading | Fair Work Ombudsman minimum wage page |
A Friday night rush at a busy store is exactly when the penalty rate column matters, because a roster that looks cheap on paper can cost far more once evening and weekend rates apply.
Who the fast food industry award applies to
Most private-sector fast food employees are covered through the national system, but an enterprise agreement can replace the award for a particular business. NSW state public sector employees are in the state system instead, so check which one covers you.
| Employment type | How the fast food award pay works | Key check |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Base rate for the classification, with up to 38 ordinary hours per week plus reasonable additional hours | Confirm the level and overtime rules |
| Part-time | Same base rate, with agreed regular hours and leave entitlements pro rata | Agreed hours and minimum engagement in the award |
| Casual | Base rate plus the 25% casual loading, with no paid annual or personal leave | Loading shown separately and conversion rights after 6 months |
| Junior | A percentage of the adult rate set by age under the award | Correct age bracket on the pay guide |
| Apprentice or trainee | Paid under the award's apprentice or trainee provisions, if any apply to the role | Check the pay guide or the Fair Work Infoline |
Casuals in fast food are often rostered across two stores in the same week, so keep the classification and loading consistent between them.
How to calculate fast food award pay
Work from the pay guide rate for the classification, then add loadings and penalties in the order the award sets out. Do not guess a rate from a job ad.
- Find the classification level and age bracket for the employee in the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide.
- Take the base hourly rate that applies from the latest 1 July increase.
- For a casual, add the 25% casual loading to that base rate.
- Check whether the shift falls in a penalty period such as an evening, weekend or public holiday, and apply the award's penalty rate for it.
- Multiply by the paid hours, then add any allowances the award lists.
- Check the result is not below the minimum wage safety net, then record it on the payslip.
Worked example of the loading: the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, and adding the 25% casual loading gives $33.05 per hour. Award rates are different, so use your own pay guide figure in step two.
Employer obligations under the fast food industry award
Paying the correct rate is only part of the job. Keep this checklist for every pay run.
- Pay at least the pay guide rate for each employee's classification and age, and update rates after each 1 July increase.
- Give each employee a payslip within 1 working day of payday, with the loading and penalty amounts shown clearly.
- Keep time and wage records for 7 years so you can answer a Fair Work Ombudsman inquiry.
- Report payroll information to the ATO through Single Touch Payroll on or before each payday.
- Pay super at 12% of ordinary time earnings for 2026-27, and make sure it reaches the fund within 7 business days of payday.
- Give new casuals the Casual Employment Information Statement, and respond properly when a casual asks to convert after 6 months, or 12 months for a small business.
A payroll cut-off before a public holiday is where many errors creep in, so check holiday rates before you lock the run.
Worker rights and what to do if you are underpaid
Underpayment is common when rates change on 1 July and a payroll system is not updated. You can act without involving a lawyer.
- Compare your payslip to the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for your classification, age and employment type.
- Write down the dates, hours and amounts that look wrong, using your own roster or messages as evidence.
- Raise it with your employer in writing and ask for a response by a set date.
- If it is not fixed, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free help.
- Keep copies of payslips and rosters, because employers must hold records for 7 years.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using an old rate after the 4.75% award increase from 1 July 2026, which leaves staff underpaid until the next pay run is corrected.
- Paying a casual a flat rate that does not show the 25% loading, so the loading cannot be checked on the payslip.
- Applying the wrong age bracket for a junior, especially after a birthday falls mid-month.
- Assuming the national minimum wage applies when an award covers the role and sets higher minimum rates.
- Paying super late or in a lump after the 7 business day window that applies under payday super.
- Treating a worker as a casual or contractor to save costs, which can be illegal if the real arrangement is ongoing employment.
Fast food industry award FAQ
Where do I find the fast food award pay guide?
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a free pay guide for each award at fairwork.gov.au. Choose the award, then your classification and age, and the guide lists base rates, casual loading, penalties and allowances. You can also call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 if the guide is unclear.
How much is fast food award pay for casuals?
Casuals receive the base rate for their classification plus a 25% loading, then penalty rates for evenings, weekends and public holidays where the award applies. The exact dollar figure is in the pay guide. Award-free casuals on the national minimum wage get at least $33.05 per hour from 1 July 2026.
When does the fast food industry award pay rise take effect?
Modern award minimum rates rose 4.75% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. That means the date your pay period begins matters. If a pay period started before 1 July, the increase applies from the next one.
Does the fast food award pay include super?
Super is paid on top of award wages at 12% of ordinary time earnings for 2026-27. From 1 July 2026 it must be paid at the same time as wages and reach the fund within 7 business days of payday. Check your payslip and fund statement to confirm.
Getting fast food industry award pay right
This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice, so check the Fair Work Ombudsman, the ATO or an employment lawyer for your situation. For the wider picture, read our guide to modern awards explained.
If you are a host employer who wants staff supplied on the right award and paid correctly, we can help. Visit our host employer labour hire page to talk to us.