Junior pay rates

Changes to junior rates in the Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy Awards

The Fair Work Commission has announced upcoming changes to junior wages under the:

  • Retail Award
  • Fast Food Award
  • Pharmacy Award.

For more information, visit Junior wage changes to Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy Awards.

A junior employee is an employee under 21 years old. Learn more about junior pay entitlements below. Use our Pay and Conditions Tool to calculate minimum pay rates for juniors.

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When junior pay rates apply

Junior employees get paid a percentage of the relevant adult pay rate unless their award or enterprise agreement doesn't provide junior pay rates. If there are no junior pay rates in the award or agreement, then juniors are paid the same as adult employees for their classification.

The percentages that apply are usually based on the employee’s age and increase each birthday until they turn 21.

If a junior employee isn't covered by an award or agreement, they get a percentage of the National Minimum Wage. Visit Award and agreement free wages and conditions for more information.

Example: Junior pay rate increases

Elise is 16 years old and works as a hair salon assistant. She’s entitled to 50% of the adult pay rate for a Level 1 employee under the Hair and Beauty Award. She turns 17 on 22 March. From 22 March she’s entitled to 75% of the adult pay rate.

Use our Pay and Conditions Tool to calculate minimum junior pay rates under your award.

If you’re covered by an enterprise agreement, check what it says at the Fair Work Commission’ website – Find an enterprise agreement.

Special award rates for juniors working around alcohol

There are 2 common awards that give junior employees the right to be paid special rates for selling and serving alcohol. They are the:

  • Hospitality Award
  • Restaurant Award.

Juniors covered by these awards who sell or serve alcohol, including as a part of their general waiting duties, must be paid the adult rate for their classification regardless of their age.

Examples of when special rates may apply include when a junior employee:

  • sells alcohol to customers in a casino
  • serves alcohol to a seated customer in a restaurant
  • pours alcoholic drinks for service
  • takes an order for alcohol from a customer
  • delivers alcohol (poured by bar staff) to a customer
  • hands an alcoholic beverage to a customer at the register.

Each state and territory sets rules about the training required for responsible service of alcohol. Find more information about special rates for working around alcohol under these awards by selecting your industry from the list below.

Junior pay rates under awards

Find information about junior pay rates in your award by selecting from the list below.

Industry Embedded Filter Placeholder

Source reference for page: Fair Work Act 2009 section 139 and 4 yearly review of awards [2018] FWCFB 7263

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