Fast Food Industry Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000003)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Fast Food Industry Award covers employees working in fast food outlets, takeaway shops, food courts, delivered meal services, and similar businesses whose main function is preparing and selling food for immediate consumption. If you work at a burger chain, pizza shop, chicken outlet, sushi train, kebab shop, juice bar, or any quick-service food business, this award applies to you. It covers roughly 200,000 workers, with an extremely high proportion of casual and junior employees.
This award does NOT cover restaurants and cafes where table service is the primary model (Restaurant Industry Award, MA000119), pubs, clubs, and hotels (Hospitality Industry Award, MA000009), or retail bakeries that primarily sell bread and pastries without seating (General Retail Industry Award, MA000004). The key test is whether the business is primarily a fast food or takeaway operation. If customers mostly order at a counter and food is prepared quickly using standardised methods, the Fast Food Award applies. See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.
How classification levels work
The award has just three classification levels, making it one of the simplest award structures (clause 14 and Schedule A). Level 1 covers most fast food workers: crew members, team members, kitchen hands, and counter staff. Level 2 covers employees who have completed a relevant Certificate II or have significant experience and perform more skilled duties like shift coordination. Level 3 is split into two sub-levels: Level 3 in charge of one or no other person, and Level 3 in charge of two or more people. Level 3 covers shift supervisors and assistant managers.
Junior workers and Sunday rates
The Fast Food Award has a high proportion of junior employees (under 21). Juniors are paid a percentage of the adult rate based on age (clause 15). The award also has a distinctive Sunday rate structure: Level 1 employees get 125% on Sunday (same as Saturday), while Level 2 and 3 employees get 150%. This lower Sunday rate for Level 1 workers is specific to fast food and reflects the industry's seven-day trading model.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
Adult Employees
| Level | Typical Duties (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Crew member, kitchen hand, counter service, cleaning, food preparation, delivery driver | $1,008.90 | $26.55 | $33.19 |
| Level 2 | Experienced crew member (Cert II or equivalent), food safety coordinator, basic stock ordering | $1,068.40 | $28.12 | $35.15 |
| Level 3 -- in charge of 1 or no person | Shift supervisor (small shift), opener/closer, basic scheduling | $1,084.90 | $28.55 | $35.69 |
| Level 3 -- in charge of 2+ people | Shift supervisor, assistant manager, duty manager, training coordinator | $1,098.20 | $28.90 | $36.13 |
Junior Employees (percentage of adult rate)
| Age | Percentage of Adult Rate | Level 1 Hourly Rate | Level 1 Casual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 40% | $10.62 | $13.28 |
| 16 years | 50% | $13.28 | $16.60 |
| 17 years | 60% | $15.93 | $19.91 |
| 18 years | 70% | $18.59 | $23.24 |
| 19 years | 80% | $21.24 | $26.55 |
| 20 years | 90% | $23.90 | $29.88 |
Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38 (clause 13.1). Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25 (clause 11.1). Junior rates = adult rate x age percentage (clause 15).
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate (clause 24 and clause 25).
Full-Time and Part-Time Adult Employees
| When you work | Penalty | Level 1 example | Level 3 (2+) example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $26.55/hr | $28.90/hr |
| Monday to Friday 10pm-midnight | 110% (clause 24.2(a)) | $29.21/hr | $31.79/hr |
| Monday to Friday after midnight-6am | 115% (clause 24.2(b)) | $30.53/hr | $33.24/hr |
| Saturday | 125% (clause 24.3(a)) | $33.19/hr | $36.13/hr |
| Sunday -- Level 1 | 125% (clause 24.3(b)) | $33.19/hr | -- |
| Sunday -- Levels 2 and 3 | 150% (clause 24.3(b)) | -- | $43.35/hr |
| Public holiday | 225% (clause 24.3(c)) | $59.74/hr | $65.03/hr |
| Overtime -- first 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 150% (clause 25.1(a)) | $39.83/hr | $43.35/hr |
| Overtime -- after 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 200% (clause 25.1(a)) | $53.10/hr | $57.80/hr |
| Overtime -- Sunday | 200% (clause 25.1(b)) | $53.10/hr | $57.80/hr |
| Overtime -- public holiday | 250% (clause 25.1(c)) | $66.38/hr | $72.25/hr |
Casual Adult Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Level 1 example | Level 3 (2+) example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $33.19/hr | $36.13/hr |
| Monday to Friday 10pm-midnight | 135% (clause 24.4(a)) | $35.84/hr | $39.02/hr |
| Monday to Friday after midnight-6am | 140% (clause 24.4(b)) | $37.17/hr | $40.46/hr |
| Saturday | 150% (clause 24.4(c)) | $39.83/hr | $43.35/hr |
| Sunday -- Level 1 | 150% (clause 24.4(d)) | $39.83/hr | -- |
| Sunday -- Levels 2 and 3 | 175% (clause 24.4(d)) | -- | $50.58/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 24.4(e)) | $66.38/hr | $72.25/hr |
| Overtime -- first 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 175% (clause 25.3) | $46.46/hr | $50.58/hr |
| Overtime -- after 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 225% (clause 25.3) | $59.74/hr | $65.03/hr |
| Overtime -- Sunday | 225% (clause 25.3) | $59.74/hr | $65.03/hr |
| Overtime -- public holiday | 275% (clause 25.3) | $73.01/hr | $79.48/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. Junior employees receive the same penalty percentage multipliers applied to their junior base rate. See clauses 24 and 25.
Worked Examples
Example 1: 17-year-old casual crew member on a Sunday
Zac is a 17-year-old casual Level 1 crew member who works a 5-hour Sunday shift.
- Adult base rate: $26.55/hr
- Junior rate (17 years, 60%): $26.55 x 0.60 = $15.93/hr
- Sunday casual Level 1 rate: 150% = $15.93 x 1.50 = $23.90/hr
- Total for 5 hours: $119.50 gross
- Clause reference: clause 15, clause 24.4(d)
Example 2: Adult casual shift supervisor on a public holiday
Priya is a casual Level 3 (in charge of 2+ people) supervisor who works a 6-hour public holiday shift.
- Base rate: $28.90/hr
- Public holiday casual rate: 250% = $28.90 x 2.50 = $72.25/hr
- Total for 6 hours: $433.50 gross
- Clause reference: clause 24.4(e)
Example 3: Full-time crew member working a late-night close
Tom is a full-time Level 1 employee who works 6pm to 1am on a Wednesday.
- Base rate: $26.55/hr
- 6pm to 10pm: base rate 100% = $26.55/hr (4 hours) = $106.20
- 10pm to midnight: evening rate 110% = $26.55 x 1.10 = $29.21/hr (2 hours) = $58.42
- Midnight to 1am: late-night rate 115% = $26.55 x 1.15 = $30.53/hr (1 hour) = $30.53
- Total for 7 hours: $195.15 gross
- Without the penalty loadings, Tom would have earned $185.85. The late-night work adds $9.30 to his shift.
- Clause reference: clause 24.2
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the minimum shift length for fast food workers?
Casual and part-time employees must be engaged and paid for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 11.2 and clause 10.4). Even if your manager sends you home after 1 hour because the store is quiet, you must be paid for 3 hours. At the adult Level 1 casual rate ($33.19/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $99.57 gross. For a 17-year-old casual, the minimum is $59.73 gross.
2. Why is the Sunday rate different for Level 1 and Levels 2/3?
The Fast Food Award has a unique split Sunday rate. Level 1 employees (crew members) receive 125% on Sunday -- the same as Saturday. Levels 2 and 3 (experienced staff and supervisors) receive 150% on Sunday. This structure was established because the industry operates seven days a week and the majority of the workforce is Level 1. The Fair Work Commission retained this differential during the Modern Awards Review. Casual Level 1 Sunday rate is 150% and casual Levels 2 and 3 Sunday rate is 175% (clause 24.3 and 24.4).
3. How do junior rates work in fast food?
Junior employees (under 21 years of age) are paid a percentage of the adult rate based on their age (clause 15). The percentages are: under 16 = 40%, 16 years = 50%, 17 years = 60%, 18 years = 70%, 19 years = 80%, 20 years = 90%. All penalty rate multipliers apply to the junior base rate. So a 16-year-old casual working a Sunday at Level 1 earns 150% of their junior base rate, not 150% of the adult base rate.
4. Can my employer roster me for a 2-hour shift?
No, unless you are a full-time employee. Part-time and casual employees must be rostered for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 10.4 and clause 11.2). A full-time employee can work a shift of less than 3 hours only in limited circumstances. If your employer regularly rosters you for less than 3 hours, they are breaching the award.
5. I am a delivery driver for a fast food chain. Am I covered by this award?
If you are an employee (not an independent contractor) of a fast food business and your primary duties include delivering food, you are covered by the Fast Food Industry Award. You would be classified as a Level 1 employee. The key question is whether you are an employee or an independent contractor. Riders and drivers for gig-economy platforms (like UberEats, DoorDash, or Menulog) who use their own vehicles and set their own hours are generally classified as independent contractors, not employees, and are not covered by this award. If you drive a company vehicle on a fixed roster, you are almost certainly an employee covered by the award.
Check Your Rate
Working in fast food and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.
Enter your age, classification level, employment type, and the day and time you work. The calculator handles junior rates, the split Sunday rate, and late-night loadings -- all with clause references so you can verify every number.
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- name: "Fast Food Industry Award MA000003 Pay Rates July 2025"
- description: "Classification levels and hourly pay rates for fast food employees including adult and junior rates under the Fast Food Industry Award"
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- creator: Fair Work Commission
- license: CC BY 4.0
Breadcrumb Schema
Home > Awards > Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003)
Rates current as of 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission, CC BY 4.0. This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Always verify rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at calculate.fairwork.gov.au.