Penalty rates changes 2017
From 1 July 2017, certain penalty rates in the Hospitality, Restaurant, Fast Food, Retail and Pharmacy Awards changed. This is because of a Fair Work Commission 
(FWC) decision that was handed down on 23 February 2017.
The decision affects penalty rates for some permanent and casual employees working on Sundays, public holidays, evenings, or after midnight in these awards.
What does the penalty rates decision mean for you?
Use our interactive tool to find out. You will need to select your award to view the changes. If you're not sure which award applies, use Find my award.
What does the penalty rates decision mean for you?
Restaurant full-time or part-time: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Public holiday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
225% |
After midnight rates
Changes
| Effective |
New time |
| 1 July 2017 |
12am - 6am |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the Restaurant Industry Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Restaurant casual: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Public holiday rates
No changes
After midnight rates
Changes
| Effective |
New time |
| 1 July 2017 |
12am - 6am |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the Restaurant Industry Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Hospitality full-time or part-time: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Sunday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
170% |
| 1 July 2018 |
160% |
| 1 July 2019 |
150% |
Public holiday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
225% |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Hospitality casual: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Public holiday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
250% |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Fast-food full-time or part-time: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Sunday rates
Changes for Level 1 employees only
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
145% |
| 1 July 2018 |
135% |
| 1 July 2019 |
125% |
Public holiday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
225% |
Evening rates
Changes
| Effective |
New time |
| 1 July 2017 |
10pm - 12am |
After midnight rates
Changes
| Effective |
New time |
| 1 July 2017 |
12am - 6am |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the Fast Food Industry Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Fast-food casual: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Sunday rates
Changes for Level 1 employees only
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
170% |
| 1 July 2018 |
160% |
| 1 July 2019 |
150% |
Public holiday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
250% |
Evening rates
Changes
| Effective |
New time |
| 1 July 2017 |
10pm - 12am |
After midnight rates
Changes
| Effective |
New time |
| 1 July 2017 |
12am - 6am |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the Fast Food Industry Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Retail full-time or part-time: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Sunday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
195% |
| 1 July 2018 |
180% |
| 1 July 2019 |
165% |
| 1 July 2020 |
150% |
Public holiday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
225% |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the General Retail Industry Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Retail casual: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Sunday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
195% |
| 1 July 2018 |
185% |
| 1 July 2019 |
175% |
Public holiday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
250% |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the General Retail Industry Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Pharmacy full-time or part-time: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Sunday rates
Changes for work between 7.00am and 9.00pm
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
195% |
| 1 July 2018 |
180% |
| 1 July 2019 |
165% |
| 1 July 2020 |
150% |
Public holiday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
225% |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the Pharmacy Industry Industry Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Pharmacy casual: There are changes to minimum penalty rates
Sunday rates
Changes for work between 7.00am and 9.00pm
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
220% |
| 1 July 2018 |
205% |
| 1 July 2019 |
190% |
| 1 July 2020 |
175% |
Public holiday rates
Changes
| Effective |
New rate |
| 1 July 2017 |
250% |
Pay Calculator
Use our Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) to calculate the new pay rates.
These changes apply to employers and employees covered by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2010. If you aren't sure if you're covered by this award, use Find my award to check.
Other: There are no changes to minimum penalty rates
Public holiday rates
No changes
The recent decision changing minimum penalty rates doesn't apply to you.
The penalty rates decision only affects the following 5 awards:
- General Retail Industry Award 2010
- Fast Food Industry Award 2010
- Restaurant Industry Award 2010
- Pharmacy Industry Award 2010
- Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010
If you aren’t covered by one of these awards, there aren’t any changes to minimum penalty rates. If you aren’t sure which award you’re covered by, use Find my award to find out.
Calculating the new rates
Use our Pay Calculator and Pay Guides to find out the new pay rates.
You can also register for My account for personalised workplace law information.
More information
For more information about the changes to penalty rates in your award, visit our Library and read:
The FWC decision is currently under judicial review in the Federal Court. We will monitor these proceedings and provide updates if any outcomes arising from this review affect these rates of pay.
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