You accepted the role. The wage sounded fair in the interview. But fair compared to what?
Most hospo workers have never looked up what they're legally owed — and some employers are counting on that. This guide tells you exactly what the law says you're entitled to, so you can decide for yourself.
Note: Wage rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and change each year on 1 July. Always verify current rates at the Fair Work Australia website before accepting a role.
The Two Awards You Need to Know
Most hospitality workers in Australia fall under one of two awards. The venue type determines which one applies to you — not your job title.
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (HIGA) — covers hotels, motels, clubs, pubs, gaming venues, theme parks, and licensed premises.
Restaurant Industry Award 2020 (RIA) — covers restaurants, cafés, caterers, and fast food outlets.
| Venue Type | Award |
|---|---|
| Hotel, motel, resort | HIGA |
| Pub, bar, licensed club | HIGA |
| Casino | HIGA |
| Restaurant, café | RIA |
| Catering company | RIA |
| Fast food outlet | Fast Food Industry Award |
What You Actually Earn — HIGA Rates (2026–27, from 1 July 2026)
HIGA classifies workers into levels based on skill and experience. Base rates below are ordinary (full-time/part-time) hourly rates; casual is the base + 25%.
| Classification | Base (FT/PT) | Casual (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory (first 3 months) | $25.74 | $32.18 |
| Level 1 — Food & Beverage / Kitchen Attendant Grade 1 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| Level 2 — Cook Grade 1 / F&B Grade 2 | $27.08 | $33.85 |
| Level 3 — Cook Grade 2 / skilled attendant | $27.97 | $34.96 |
| Level 4 — Tradesperson (e.g. qualified cook) | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Level 5 — Supervisor / department head | $31.30 | $39.13 |
| Level 6 — Cook (tradesperson) Grade 5 | $32.13 | $40.16 |
Rates effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 (a 4.75% increase). The Fair Work Commission adjusts award rates annually on 1 July — always confirm your exact classification with the Fair Work pay calculator (PACT).
What You Actually Earn Under the Restaurant Award (MA000119)
The Restaurant Award uses its own grades and its own figures, and it adjusts each 1 July like the Hospitality Award. We only print rates we've pulled from Fair Work with a date on them — and we haven't published the MA000119 table that way yet. Until we do, check your exact grade and current rate in the Fair Work pay calculator.
What we can tell you without guessing: no Restaurant Award grade is lawfully below the National Minimum Wage — $26.44/hr from 1 July 2026 — and a casual adds 25% on top of the grade rate before penalties.
The Number That Changes Everything: Casual Loading
If you're casual, add 25% on top of everything above.
That 25% is not a bonus — it replaces your paid annual leave and sick leave. A casual Level 1 food & beverage attendant on the $26.44/hr base earns $33.05/hr all-in (as at 1 July 2026).
Weekend Work: Where the Money Actually Is
Here's why Saturday and Sunday shifts are worth taking.
HIGA Penalty Rates
Percentages are of your base rate. Casual and permanent differ — the casual figures already include the 25% loading, so you never add it twice.
| When You Work | Full-time / Part-time | Casual (incl. loading) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday (ordinary hours) | Base rate | +25% |
| Saturday | 125% | 150% |
| Sunday | 150% | 175% |
| Public Holiday | 225% | 250% |
| Evening (7pm–midnight, Mon–Fri) | +$2.81/hr | +$2.81/hr |
| Night (midnight–7am) | +$4.22/hr | +$4.22/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 150% | 150% |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 200% | 200% |
RIA Penalty Rates
| When You Work | Loading |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday (ordinary hours) | Base rate |
| Saturday | 125% |
| Sunday | 150–175% |
| Public Holiday | 250% |
| Early Morning (before 7am) | 115% |
A casual worker on the $26.44/hr Level 1 base earns about $46/hr on a Sunday (175%). That's before overtime.
The Minimum Shift Rule
Under both awards, casual employees are entitled to a minimum engagement of 2 hours per shift. That means even if a venue sends you home after 45 minutes because it's quiet, they owe you two hours' pay.
Some enterprise agreements vary this — always check your contract.
Allowances Worth Knowing About
A few extras that many workers don't claim:
- Broken shift allowance — if you work two separate periods with a break of more than 1 hour
- Uniform allowance — if you're required to buy or launder your own uniform at your own cost
- Meal allowance — if you work overtime beyond a certain threshold
Your Leave Entitlements (Full-Time and Part-Time)
| Entitlement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual leave | 4 weeks per year (5 for shift workers) |
| Personal / carer's leave | 10 days paid per year |
| Compassionate leave | 2 days per bereavement |
Casuals don't get paid leave — that's what the 25% loading is compensating for.
Superannuation: The Part People Forget
Your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings into your super fund (the Super Guarantee reached its final 12% on 1 July 2025). This applies whether you're full-time, part-time, or casual — from the first dollar you earn. The old "$450 a month" minimum was abolished in 2022. (Under 18? You're entitled once you work more than 30 hours in a week.)
If you're not sure whether your super is being paid, check your MyGov account under ATO → Super.
Cash-in-Hand: Just Don't
Cash payments with no payslip are illegal. No exceptions, no "it's just for tax reasons." Your employer must pay through proper payroll, issue payslips within one working day of payday, and contribute your super.
If you're being paid cash with no payslip, you're being exposed to liability while your employer takes the benefit. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or lodge a query at their website.
How to Check If You're Being Paid Correctly
- Identify your award (venue type, not job title)
- Identify your classification (based on duties and skill level)
- Check your base rate using the Fair Work pay rate tool
- Apply the relevant penalty rates for the times you work
- Check your payslip arrives within one working day of payday
If you believe you're being underpaid, the Fair Work Ombudsman investigates claims for free.
Enterprise Agreements
Some employers have an Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiated with staff and registered with Fair Work. If one exists, it applies instead of the award — but it must pay at least as much as the award in all circumstances. Ask your employer upfront.
All job listings on Tavro show salary upfront. No "competitive rate." No finding out in the interview. You know before you apply.