Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 — Pay Rates July 2026
Minimum pay rates effective 1 July 2026 under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020. All rates verified directly against the official Fair Work Commission pay guide published 24 June 2026.
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Effective 1 July 2026 · Adult rates only · Source: Fair Work Commission
| Classification | Full-time / Part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr |
| Pharmacy student - 1st year of course | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 | $28.45/hr | $35.56/hr |
| Pharmacy student - 2nd year of course | $28.45/hr | $35.56/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 3 | $29.45/hr | $36.81/hr |
| Pharmacy student - 3rd year of course | $29.45/hr | $36.81/hr |
| Pharmacy student - 4th year of course | $30.66/hr | $38.33/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 4 | $30.66/hr | $38.33/hr |
| Pharmacy intern - 1st half of training | $33.99/hr | $42.49/hr |
| Pharmacy intern - 2nd half of training | $35.14/hr | $43.93/hr |
| Pharmacist | $41.74/hr | $52.18/hr |
| Experienced Pharmacist | $45.72/hr | $57.15/hr |
| Pharmacist in charge | $46.80/hr | $58.50/hr |
| Pharmacist manager | $52.15/hr | $65.19/hr |
Junior, apprentice & trainee rates
Reduced rates that apply by age, apprenticeship year or training stage — check which classification matches your situation.
| Classification | Full-time / Part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior (Under 16yo) | $12.51/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior (Under 16yo) | $12.80/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior (16yo) | $13.91/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior (16yo) | $14.22/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior Casual (Under 16yo) | — | $15.64/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior Casual (Under 16yo) | — | $16.00/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior (17yo) | $16.69/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior (17yo) | $17.07/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior Casual (16yo) | — | $17.39/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior Casual (16yo) | — | $17.78/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior (18yo) | $19.47/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior (18yo) | $19.91/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior Casual (17yo) | — | $20.86/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior Casual (17yo) | — | $21.34/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior (19yo) | $22.25/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior (19yo) | $22.76/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior Casual (18yo) | — | $24.34/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior Casual (18yo) | — | $24.89/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior (20yo) | $25.03/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior (20yo) | $25.60/hr | — |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior Casual (19yo) | — | $27.81/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior Casual (19yo) | — | $28.45/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 1 - Junior Casual (20yo) | — | $31.29/hr |
| Pharmacy assistant - level 2 - Junior Casual (20yo) | — | $32.00/hr |
Penalty rates — Pharmacy assistant - level 1
Full-time/part-time and casual rates often differ — casual employees receive a higher percentage on top of the 25% casual loading.
| When | Full-time / Part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Public Holiday | $62.57/hr 225% | $69.53/hr 200% |
| Sunday overtime | $55.62/hr 200% | $55.62/hr 160% |
| Public holiday overtime | $69.53/hr 250% | $69.53/hr 200% |
| Morning Work Monday Friday | $41.72/hr 150% | $48.67/hr 140% |
| Evening Work Monday Friday | $34.76/hr 125% | $41.72/hr 120% |
| Late Evening Work Monday Friday | $41.72/hr 150% | $48.67/hr 140% |
| Saturday Morning Work | $55.62/hr 200% | $62.57/hr 180% |
| Saturday 8am 6pm | $34.76/hr 125% | $41.72/hr 120% |
| Saturday Evening Work | $41.72/hr 150% | $48.67/hr 140% |
| Saturday Late Evening Work | $48.67/hr 175% | $55.62/hr 160% |
| Sunday 7am 9pm | $41.72/hr 150% | $48.67/hr 140% |
| Sunday Outside 7am 9pm | $55.62/hr 200% | $62.57/hr 180% |
| Overtime Monday Saturday First 2hrs | $41.72/hr 150% | $41.72/hr 120% |
| Overtime Monday Saturday After 2hrs | $55.62/hr 200% | $55.62/hr 160% |
Common questions about the Pharmacy Industry Award
What is the minimum wage under the Pharmacy Industry Award?
The minimum full-time rate under the Pharmacy Industry Award from 1 July 2026 is $27.81 per hour. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $34.76 per hour.
What is the casual loading under the Pharmacy Industry Award?
Casual employees receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate, which compensates for the lack of paid leave entitlements. Casual penalty rates for weekends, evenings and public holidays are usually higher again than the full-time/part-time penalty rates - not just the base rate plus 25% - so check the specific casual figures in the table above rather than estimating.
When did the Pharmacy Industry Award rates last change?
Current rates took effect 1 July 2026 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decision, which applied a 4.75% increase to Modern Award minimum rates (the National Minimum Wage floor for award-free workers rose separately, by 5.97%, to $26.44/hr). Rates are reviewed and updated every 1 July.
What happens if my employer pays me less than the Pharmacy Industry Award minimum?
Paying below the award minimum is a breach of the Fair Work Act 2009. You can report underpayment to the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au or call 13 13 94. Investigations are free and you may be entitled to back pay for up to 6 years.
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Start free wage checkAll rates sourced from Fair Work Commission pay guides effective 1 July 2026. Rates verified against official FWC published documents and updated annually on 1 July. This is factual information only — not legal advice. FairLanding (ABN 34 583 311 963) operates under Section 280 of the Migration Act 1958. For advice specific to your situation, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au or 13 13 94.