Penalty rates 2026: hospitality and retail
Not sure what a Sunday shift should pay? Here are the Saturday, Sunday, public holiday and evening rates under the Hospitality and General Retail awards, for casuals and permanent staff.
Rates from 1 July 2026 · checked 20 September 2026
Hospitality, level 1$26.44Base rate per hour from 1 July 2026
Retail, level 1$27.81Base rate per hour from 1 July 2026
Casual loading25%Built into casual rates, not stacked
Hospitality
| When you work | Full-time or part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Mon–Fri, 7 am – 7 pm | $26.44100% | $33.05125% |
| Mon–Fri, 7 pm – midnight | $29.39100% + $2.95 | $36.00125% + $2.95 |
| Mon–Fri, midnight – 7 am | $30.86100% + $4.42 | $37.47125% + $4.42 |
| Saturday | $33.05125% | $39.66150% |
| Sunday | $39.66150% | $46.27175% |
| Public holiday | $59.49225% | $66.10250% |
Retail
| When you work | Full-time or part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Mon–Fri, before 6 pm | $27.81100% | $34.76125% |
| Mon–Fri, after 6 pm | $34.76125% | $41.72150% |
| Saturday | $34.76125% | $41.72150% |
| Sunday | $41.72150% | $48.67175% |
| Public holiday | $62.57225% | $69.53250% |
How penalty rates work
- Only the highest rate counts. Each hour is paid at the highest rate that applies, never two added together.
- Evening work: in hospitality, Monday to Friday, $2.95 an hour from 7 pm to midnight and $4.42 from midnight to 7 am, on top of the day’s rate. In retail, Monday to Friday after 6 pm is paid at 125% (150% for casuals).
- Overtime: past 38 hours a week or the daily limit, overtime rates apply instead of penalty rates.
- Super: 12% of your ordinary time earnings, penalty rates included, on top of your pay. If you’re under 18, only in weeks you work more than 30 hours.
Next public holidays in every state
- 25 December 2026: Christmas Day
- 28 December 2026: Boxing Day (additional day)
- 1 January 2027: New Year's Day
- 26 January 2027: Australia Day
- 26 March 2027: Good Friday
- 29 March 2027: Easter Monday
States and territories add their own; PayJar has those too.
Questions
Do casuals get penalty rates on top of the 25% loading?
No. Casual penalty rates already include the loading: a hospitality casual gets 150% on Saturday, not 125% plus 25%. Only the highest rate is paid for each hour.
Does overtime get penalty rates too?
No. Overtime rates replace them. Overtime starts past 38 hours a week, or past the award’s daily limit.
Are public holidays the same in every state?
No. Some are national and others depend on your state or territory. See the Fair Work list of public holidays. PayJar has them for every state in 2026 and 2027.
Under 21? See junior rates by age.
General information, not legal advice. Your award, your employment contract and the Fair Work Ombudsman have the final word. Rates are for level 1 adults unless you enter your own.
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