Junior wage changes to Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy Awards
Published 8 April 2026
Learn more about upcoming changes to junior employee wages under 3 awards.
On this page:
What’s changing
The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) has announced upcoming changes to junior wages under the:
- Retail Award
- Fast Food Award
- Pharmacy Award.
At the moment, employees under the age of 21 covered by these awards are paid a percentage of the adult pay rate for their classification.
These changes mean that employees between the ages of 18 and 20 will be entitled to the adult pay rate for their classification if they’ve been employed by their employer for more than 6 months.
Pay rates for employees aged 18 to 20 won’t change if they’ve been employed for less than 6 months with their employer. There are also no wage changes for employees under the age of 18.
The Commission has indicated that these changes will be introduced gradually, with further hearings to be held about how and when this will happen. However, the Commission has said that the changes could start from 1 December 2026.
We’ll update this page with more information as it becomes available.
In the meantime, read the Commission’s decision for more information. You can also find updates about the junior wages case on the Commission’s website at Junior rates application (AM2024/24).
Tip: We're different from the Fair Work Commission
A reminder that the Commission is the national workplace relations tribunal and registered organisations tribunal.
We’re the Fair Work Ombudsman. Our role is to give you advice and assistance on workplace laws.
Learn more about the difference between the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission.
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