Junior Pay Rates in Australia, Age by Age
A junior pay rate is a percentage of the adult rate, set by age, for an employee under 21. Whether one applies, and at what percentage, depends on the award. This page sets the junior percentages from 16 modern awards side by side, read from each award's own text, with the National Minimum Wage junior rates for an employee no award covers.
Updated 8 October 2026
The short answer
- Under an award, a junior is paid a percentage of the adult rate for their classification. Under 16 it is 40% to 70% across the 16 awards here, and the adult rate starts at 18 in some awards and 21 in others.
- With no award, the National Minimum Wage junior rates run from $9.73 an hour under 16 (36.8%) to $25.84 an hour at 20 (97.7%), against $26.44 for an adult.
- A junior who sells or serves alcohol under the hospitality or restaurant award is paid the adult rate, whatever their age.
- From the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026, 18 to 20 year olds with more than 6 months’ service move toward the adult rate in the retail, fast food and pharmacy awards. That is decided but not yet in force.
Junior percentages by age in every award.
Each column is one award’s junior table, as a percentage of the adult rate for the classification. “Adult” means the award’s junior table stops below that age, so the full adult rate applies. The first column is the National Minimum Wage, for an employee no award covers. Scroll sideways for every award.
| Age | No award | Retailcl. 17.2 | Fast Foodcl. 15.2 | Hospitalitycl. 18.4(a) | Hospitality (office)cl. 18.4(b) | Restaurantcl. 18.2(a) | Pharmacycl. 16.2 | Clubscl. 18.6(a) | Hair and Beautycl. 17.2 | Clerkscl. 16.4 | Health Servicescl. 16.3 | Fitnesscl. 15.2 | Cleaningcl. 15.2 | Gardeningcl. 15.2(a) | Road Transportcl. 17.3(a) | Warehousecl. 15.2 | Children’s Servicescl. 14.3(b) | Legal Servicescl. 15.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 36.8% | 45% | 40% | 50% | 45% | 50% | 45% | 60% | 50% | 45% | 50% | 55% | 45% | 70% | 70% | 40% | 70% | 45% |
| 16 | 47.3% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 55% | 50% | 50% | 60% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 55% | 50% | 70% | 70% | 50% | 70% | 50% |
| 17 | 57.8% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 65% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 75% | 60% | 60% | 65% | 60% | 70% | 70% | 60% | 80% | 60% |
| 18 | 68.3% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 75% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 100% | 70% | 70% | 75% | 70% | 80% | 70% | 70% | 90% | 70% |
| 19 | 82.5% | 80% | 80% | 85% | 90% | 85% | 80% | 85% | Adult | 80% | 80% | 85% | 80% | 90% | 80% | Adult | Adult | 80% |
| 20 | 97.7% | 90% or 100% | 90% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 90% | 100% | Adult | 90% | 90% | 100% | 90% | 100% | 100% | Adult | Adult | 90% |
Retail at 20 is split by service: 90% if employed by the employer for 6 months or less, and 100% if employed by the employer for more than 6 months. The hospitality award has two junior tables: the general one, and a separate one for junior office employees. Some awards price a band such as “under 17” rather than each year, so the same percentage repeats down a column.
Junior hourly rates at the entry level of each award.
The percentage applied to the lowest classification each junior table covers, for ordinary hours from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Casual loading is not included. The award prints the percentages; the dollar figures are worked out from the adult rate the way each award works out its own, and 301 of the 684 junior figures across these tables are printed in an award schedule and match it to the cent.
| Award and classification | Under 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Adult | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Minimum WageNo award or agreement | $9.73 | $12.51 | $15.29 | $18.06 | $21.82 | $25.84 | $26.44 | Fair Work |
| Retail Award Pay RatesRetail Employee Level 1 | $12.51 | $13.91 | $16.69 | $19.47 | $22.25 | $25.03$27.81 | $27.81 | 21 of 21 |
| Fast Food Award Pay RatesFast food employee level 1 | $11.12 | $13.91 | $16.69 | $19.47 | $22.25 | $25.03 | $27.81 | 24 of 28 |
| Hospitality Award Pay RatesIntroductory level | $12.87 | $12.87 | $15.44 | $18.02 | $21.88 | $25.74 | $25.74 | 54 of 75 |
| Hospitality Award Pay RatesIntroductory level, office table | $11.58 | $14.16 | $16.73 | $19.31 | $23.17 | $25.74 | $25.74 | 30 of 42 |
| Restaurant Award Pay RatesIntroductory Level | $12.87 | $12.87 | $15.44 | $18.02 | $21.88 | $25.74 | $25.74 | 24 of 35 |
| Pharmacy Award Pay RatesPharmacy assistant level 1 | $12.51 | $13.91 | $16.69 | $19.47 | $22.25 | $25.03 | $27.81 | 0 of 12 |
| Clubs Award Pay RatesIntroductory | $15.44 | $15.44 | $15.44 | $18.02 | $21.88 | $25.74 | $25.74 | 16 of 60 |
| Hair and Beauty Award Pay RatesHair and beauty employee level 1 | $13.91 | $13.91 | $20.86 | $27.81 | $27.81 | $27.81 | $27.81 | 12 of 18 |
| Clerks Award Pay RatesLevel 1, Year 1 | $12.13 | $13.48 | $16.18 | $18.88 | $21.57 | $24.27 | $26.97 | 60 of 60 |
| Health Services Award Pay RatesLevel 1 | $13.48 | $13.48 | $16.18 | $18.88 | $21.57 | $24.27 | $26.97 | 0 of 105 |
| Fitness Award Pay RatesLevel 1 | $14.16 | $14.16 | $16.73 | $19.30 | $21.88 | $25.74 | $25.74 | 0 of 45 |
| Cleaning Services Award Pay RatesLevel 1 | $12.18 | $13.54 | $16.25 | $18.95 | $21.66 | $24.37 | $27.08 | 18 of 18 |
| Gardening and Landscaping Award Pay RatesIntroductory Level | $18.02 | $18.02 | $18.02 | $20.59 | $23.17 | $25.74 | $25.74 | 18 of 24 |
| Road Transport Award Pay RatesTransport Worker Grade 1 | $18.81 | $18.81 | $18.81 | $18.81 | $21.49 | $26.87 | $26.87 | 0 of 72 |
| Warehouse Award Pay RatesStoreworker grade 1, on commencement | $10.83 | $13.54 | $16.25 | $18.96 | $27.08 | $27.08 | $27.08 | 0 of 24 |
| Children's Services Award Pay RatesLevel 2, Educator | $20.79 | $20.79 | $23.76 | $26.73 | $29.69 | $29.69 | $29.69 | 0 of 3 |
| Legal Services Award Pay RatesLevel 1, Legal clerical and administrative employee | $12.71 | $14.12 | $16.94 | $19.77 | $22.59 | $25.42 | $28.24 | 24 of 42 |
“Checked” counts the junior figures in the award’s whole junior table that the award’s own schedule prints and that match to the cent. Where the award prints none, the figure is arithmetic on the adult rate and Fair Work’s pay guide may round a cent differently. The National Minimum Wage row is the Fair Work Ombudsman’s published figures, stored as published. Every classification, not only the entry one, is in the junior table on each award’s own page.
National Minimum Wage junior rates, for juniors no award covers.
Clause 8.2 of the National Minimum Wage Order PR799279 sets a percentage of the adult rate by age for a junior no award or agreement covers. The Order prints the percentages only; the hourly and casual figures are the ones the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes. Most juniors are covered by an award and are on that award’s scale instead. Who the National Minimum Wage covers, and what it leaves after tax, is on the National Minimum Wage page.
| Age | Of adult rate | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 36.8% | $9.73 | $12.16 |
| 16 | 47.3% | $12.51 | $15.64 |
| 17 | 57.8% | $15.29 | $19.11 |
| 18 | 68.3% | $18.06 | $22.58 |
| 19 | 82.5% | $21.82 | $27.28 |
| 20 | 97.7% | $25.84 | $32.30 |
| 21 and over | 100% | $26.44 | $33.05 |
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Percentages from the Order, retrieved 17 September 2026; hourly figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman page last updated 7 August 2026, retrieved 17 September 2026.
The retail award’s 20 year old split.
Clause 17.2 of the General Retail Industry Award is the only junior table here that splits an age by length of service. A 20 year old at retail employee level 1, 2 or 3 is paid:
90%
if employed by the employer for 6 months or less: $25.03 an hour at level 1
100%
if employed by the employer for more than 6 months: $27.81 an hour at level 1
Every retail classification, with casual and penalty rates for adults, is on Retail Award Pay Rates, and what a shop assistant is paid at each level is on Retail Assistant Pay Rate.
The 1 December 2026 steps in retail, fast food and pharmacy.
Determinations PR813655, PR813654 and PR813656, made on 26 August 2026 following [2026] FWCFB 75 and [2026] FWCFB 222, raise the junior percentages for 18, 19 and 20 year olds employed by the employer for more than 6 months, in steps that reach the adult rate by 1 July 2029. Under 18s, and 18 to 20 year olds with 6 months’ service or less, keep today’s percentage.
Retail Award Pay Rates
PR813655, clause 17.2. Level 1 adult rate $27.81.
| Age | Now | First step | Adult from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 70%$19.47 | 75%$20.86 | 1 July 2029 |
| 19 | 80%$22.25 | 85%$23.64 | 1 July 2028 |
| 20 | 100%$27.81 | 100%$27.81 | Already |
Fast Food Award Pay Rates
PR813654, clause 15.2. Level 1 adult rate $27.81.
| Age | Now | First step | Adult from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 70%$19.47 | 75%$20.86 | 1 July 2029 |
| 19 | 80%$22.25 | 85%$23.64 | 1 July 2028 |
| 20 | 90%$25.03 | 95%$26.42 | 1 July 2027 |
Pharmacy Award Pay Rates
PR813656, clause 16.2. Level 1 adult rate $27.81.
| Age | Now | First step | Adult from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 70%$19.47 | 75%$20.86 | 1 July 2029 |
| 19 | 80%$22.25 | 85%$23.64 | 1 July 2028 |
| 20 | 90%$25.03 | 95%$26.42 | 1 July 2027 |
The first step’s dollar figures use today’s adult rates; later steps are shown as dates only, because the adult rate will have moved by then. What changes and for whom is on Pay Changes from 1 December 2026.
When a junior must be paid the adult rate.
Selling or serving alcohol
The Fair Work Ombudsman says juniors under the hospitality and restaurant awards who sell or serve alcohol, including as part of general waiting duties, must be paid the adult rate for their classification regardless of age. The clubs award does the same for a liquor service employee. Hospitality Award Pay Rates (clause 13.5), Restaurant Award Pay Rates (clause 13.5) and Clubs Award Pay Rates (clause 13.1).
Work outside the junior table
Some junior tables reach only part of the award. For work outside that scope the award sets no junior rate, so the adult rate applies. In each clause’s words:
- Retail Award Pay Rates, clause 17.2: “An employer must pay a junior employee, who is classified as a retail employee level 1, 2 or 3 and aged as specified in column 1 of Table 5, Junior rates (retail employee levels 1, 2 and 3 only), the minimum percentage specified in column 2 of the minimum rate that would otherwise be applicable under Table 4, Minimum rates.”
- Pharmacy Award Pay Rates, clause 16.2: “An employer must pay an employee, who is classified as a pharmacy assistant level 1 or level 2 and aged as specified in column 1 of Table 4, Junior rates (pharmacy assistants levels 1 and 2 only), at least at the percentage specified in column 2 of the minimum rate that would otherwise be applicable under Table 3, Minimum rates:”
- Health Services Award Pay Rates, clause 16.3: “A junior employee may be engaged to perform the duties of any Support Services classification level in this award and will be paid the following percentage of the adult minimum rate for the classification level applicable to the junior employee:”
- Cleaning Services Award Pay Rates, clause 15.2: “An employer who is a shopping trolley collection contractor must pay a junior employee aged as specified in column 1 of Table 3, Junior rates (employees of shopping trolley collection contractors) the minimum percentage specified in column 2 of the minimum rate that would otherwise be applicable under Table 2, Minimum rates:”
- Warehouse Award Pay Rates, clause 15.2: “Percentage of weekly rate for Storeworker grade 1 or Wholesale employee level 1”
- Children's Services Award Pay Rates, clause 14.3(b): “Junior employees employed as Children’s Services Employee Level 1, Introductory Educator or Children’s Services Employee Level 2, Educator will be paid no less than the following percentages of the corresponding Children’s Services Employee Level 2, Educator rate:”
The cleaning table reaches only employees of shopping trolley collection contractors, so a junior doing any other cleaning work is paid the adult rate for their level, set out on Cleaning Services Award Pay Rates. The children's services table prices only Levels 1 and 2, each as a percentage of the Level 2 Educator rate, and a junior at Level 3 or above is paid the adult rate, which Children's Services Award Pay Rates lists level by level.
Road Transport Award Pay Rates, clause 17.3(a)
“Where a junior employee aged 18 years or more is required to drive a motor vehicle and is in sole charge of that vehicle, the employee must be paid the adult rate assigned to the class of driving work that the employee is required to perform.”
Children's Services Award Pay Rates, clause 14.3(b)
“Junior employees employed as Children’s Services Employees Level 3, Qualified Educator, Level 4, Experienced Educator and Level 5, Advanced Educator must be paid at the appropriate adult rate.”
Past the top of the table
Once a junior reaches the age where an award’s table stops, the adult rate applies. Most awards here run to 20 or 21, but the adult rate starts earlier under the Hair and Beauty award at 18, the Warehouse award at 19 and the Children’s Services award at 19.
Awards with no junior rates here.
Where an award has no junior rates, a junior is paid the same as an adult for their classification, as the Fair Work Ombudsman puts it. For these awards this site publishes no junior figure:
Security Award Pay Rates
No junior rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman lists this award among those without them, so a junior is on the adult rate.
Nurses Award Pay Rates
The award text has no junior rates table, so a junior is on the adult rate.
Manufacturing Award Pay Rates
The award does set junior rates, but in clause 25, outside its minimum rates clause, and they have not been extracted and checked here yet. Check the award.
SCHADS Award Pay Rates
No junior rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman lists this award among those without them, so a junior is on the adult rate.
Aged Care Award Pay Rates
No junior table has been extracted from this award, so no junior figure is published here. Check the award.
Teachers Award Pay Rates
No junior table has been extracted from this award, so no junior figure is published here. Check the award.
Two awards with pages of their own are not in the tables above. The Electrical Award has no junior rates outside its apprentice scales, so an employee under 21 who is not an apprentice is paid the rate for their grade, as Electrical Award Pay Rates sets out. The Vehicle Repair Award pays juniors 47.5% to 87.5% of the R1 rate, or of the R4 rate in classifications such as console operator and brake serviceperson, by age, with every figure on Vehicle Repair Award Pay Rates.
Where these figures come from.
Each junior percentage was read from the award’s own text at the Fair Work award library, and each dollar figure is worked out from that award’s adult rate by the method its own schedule uses. The award texts were retrieved between 6 September 2026 and 7 October 2026. The National Minimum Wage percentages are from Order PR799279, and the hourly figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The alcohol rule and the list of awards without junior rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s junior pay rates page, last updated 19 August 2026 and retrieved 25 September 2026. Nothing here is copied from another pay site.
What this page does not cover.
Junior casual, weekend and overtime rates
The award figures here are ordinary-hours base rates. No casual loading, penalty or overtime rate is worked out for a junior under an award.
Every classification
The dollar table shows each award’s lowest junior classification. The full junior table for every classification is on each award’s own page.
Apprentices and trainees
An apprentice is paid on a separate scale by year of apprenticeship, not on these junior percentages.
Enterprise agreements
An agreement can set its own junior rates, and where one applies it replaces the award.
Apprentice rates by year are on Apprentice Wages.
Junior Pay Rates questions, answered.
What are junior pay rates?
A junior pay rate is a percentage of the adult minimum rate for the same classification, set by the employee's age. The Fair Work Ombudsman describes them as rates for employees under 21, and they exist only where an award or enterprise agreement includes them, or under the National Minimum Wage for an employee no award covers. Across the 16 awards on this page, an employee under 16 is paid between 40% and 70% of the adult rate, and the full adult rate starts at an age between 18 and 21. An award with no junior table pays a junior the adult rate.
What is the minimum wage for a 20 year old in Australia?
If no award or agreement covers the job, 97.7% of the National Minimum Wage: $25.84 an hour, or $32.30 as a casual, against $26.44 for an adult. Under an award it depends on the award. A 20 year old is on the adult rate under the Hospitality, Restaurant, Clubs, Hair and Beauty, Fitness, Gardening, Road Transport, Warehouse and Children’s Services awards. Under the retail award it is 90% if employed by the employer for 6 months or less, or 100% if employed by the employer for more than 6 months, and under the fast food award it is 90% until the December 2026 steps begin, set out on Pay Changes from 1 December 2026.
How much should a 16 year old get paid?
With no award, 47.3% of the National Minimum Wage, which is $12.51 an hour, or $15.64 as a casual. Under an award it is that award's percentage for 16 year olds times the adult rate for the classification. At the entry level that is $13.91 an hour under the retail award, $13.91 under the fast food award and $12.87 under the hospitality award, before any casual loading. In a law firm office it is $14.12 an hour at Level 1, set out on Legal Services Award Pay Rates. Every award's figure is in the entry level table above.
At what age do you get paid the adult rate?
It depends on the award, from 18 to 21 among the awards here. At 18: Hair and Beauty. At 19: Warehouse and Children’s Services. At 20: Hospitality, Hospitality (office), Restaurant, Clubs, Fitness, Gardening and Road Transport. At 21: Retail, Fast Food, Pharmacy, Clerks, Health Services, Cleaning and Legal Services. Under the National Minimum Wage the adult rate starts at 21. A junior can also be owed the adult rate earlier because of the work, not the age, as the section on when a junior gets the adult rate explains.
Are junior pay rates being abolished?
For some employees in three awards, in steps. Fair Work Commission determinations raise the percentages for 18 to 20 year olds with more than 6 months' service under the General Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy awards, starting from the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026 and reaching the adult rate by 1 July 2029. Nothing changes for employees under 18, for those with 6 months' service or less, or in any other award. Until the first step, the current percentages above are the legal minimum. Retail enterprise agreements are caught too: from that first step the retail award's Level 1 rate for an 18 year old with more than 6 months' service, $20.86 an hour, is above the $19.78 on Woolworths Pay Rates and the $20.18 on Coles Pay Rates, and section 206 of the Fair Work Act 2009 makes the award rate the one owed.
Do junior casuals get the casual loading?
The National Minimum Wage figures for an award-free junior include it: the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a junior casual rate at every age, from $12.16 an hour under 16 to $32.30 at 20, each 25% above the junior base rate. The award figures on this page are ordinary-hours base rates only, with no casual loading, weekend or overtime rate worked out for juniors. How the loading works in each award is on Casual Loading.