Fast food employee level 1 Pay Rate 2026
As of 1 July 2026, a Fast food employee level 1 under the Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003) earns a published minimum of $27.81 an hour ($1,056.80 a week, about $55,102 a year) full-time before tax.
The Fast Food Industry Award covers takeaway food outlets and quick-service restaurants, including the large burger, chicken, pizza and sandwich chains as well as independent takeaway shops where food is prepared and sold quickly for customers to take away or eat off the premises. It applies to crew members who take orders, prepare and cook food, work the registers and keep the store clean, along with the shift supervisors and team leaders who run a shift and look after other staff. Sit-down restaurants and cafes with table service are usually covered by a different award.
Minimum pay rates
| Employment type | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (× 52.14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $55,102 |
| Casual (loading included) | $34.76 | — | — |
Penalty rates
| When | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | $27.81 | $34.76 |
| Saturday | $34.76 | $41.72 |
| Sunday | $34.76 | $41.72 |
| Public holiday | $62.57 | $69.53 |
Higher penalty rates typically apply for work on weekends and public holidays, with overtime rates once an employee works beyond their ordinary daily or weekly hours.
Overtime rates
| Overtime | Full-time / part-time |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday – first 2 hours | $41.72 |
| Monday to Saturday – after 2 hours | $55.62 |
| Sunday – all hours | $55.62 |
| Public holiday – all hours | $69.53 |
Work out your pay
Pick full-time, part-time or casual to see the exact published rate for this classification.
Common questions
How much does a Fast food employee level 1 get paid?
The published minimum for a Fast food employee level 1 is $27.81 an hour. For a full-time fast food worker on a standard week that comes to $1,056.80 a week, or about $55,102 a year. These rates took effect on 1 July 2026.
What is the casual rate for this work?
Casual employees are paid a casual loading on top of the equivalent permanent rate, so the published casual minimum for this work is $34.76 an hour. The loading makes up for the paid leave and notice that casuals do not receive, and it applies to a casual's ordinary hours before any weekend or public holiday penalties are added.
What are the weekend and public holiday rates?
Weekend and public holiday work usually attracts higher penalty rates than ordinary hours. For this role the published Saturday minimum is $34.76 an hour and the Sunday minimum is $34.76 an hour. Public holidays are paid at a higher rate again, with a published minimum of $62.57 an hour.
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. Source: Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database. Last checked .
Source: Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database for the Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003).
General information only — not legal, industrial or financial advice. These are the published minimum rates for information. Your modern award or enterprise agreement prevails if there is any inconsistency. Check the official source above or the Fair Work Ombudsman for your situation.