Pharmacist Pay Rates in Australia: Pharmacy Award
Minimum weekly, hourly, casual, weekend and public holiday rates for pharmacists, interns, students and pharmacy assistants under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 [MA000012], from 1 July 2026.
Full-time and part-time adult rates
| Level | Weekly | Hourly | Mon to Fri 7 pm to 9 pm | Saturday 8 am to 6 pm | Sunday 7 am to 9 pm | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $1,056.80 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $34.76 | $41.72 | $62.57 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $1,081.00 | $28.45 | $35.56 | $35.56 | $42.68 | $64.01 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $66.26 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $1,165.10 | $30.66 | $38.33 | $38.33 | $45.99 | $68.99 |
| Pharmacy student—1st year of course | $1,056.80 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $34.76 | $41.72 | $62.57 |
| Pharmacy student—2nd year of course | $1,081.00 | $28.45 | $35.56 | $35.56 | $42.68 | $64.01 |
| Pharmacy student—3rd year of course | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $66.26 |
| Pharmacy student—4th year of course | $1,165.10 | $30.66 | $38.33 | $38.33 | $45.99 | $68.99 |
| Pharmacy intern—1st half of training | $1,291.50 | $33.99 | $42.49 | $42.49 | $50.99 | $76.48 |
| Pharmacy intern—2nd half of training | $1,335.50 | $35.14 | $43.93 | $43.93 | $52.71 | $79.07 |
| Pharmacist | $1,586.30 | $41.74 | $52.18 | $52.18 | $62.61 | $93.92 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $1,737.40 | $45.72 | $57.15 | $57.15 | $68.58 | $102.87 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $1,778.40 | $46.80 | $58.50 | $58.50 | $70.20 | $105.30 |
| Pharmacist manager | $1,981.60 | $52.15 | $65.19 | $65.19 | $78.23 | $117.34 |
Casual adult rates
These rates already include the 25% casual loading, so do not add it again. The ordinary hours column is for weekday daytime hours. Casual loading is not payable on overtime.
| Level | Ordinary hours | Mon to Fri 7 pm to 9 pm | Saturday 8 am to 6 pm | Sunday 7 am to 9 pm | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $34.76 | $41.72 | $41.72 | $48.67 | $69.53 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $35.56 | $42.68 | $42.68 | $49.79 | $71.13 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $73.63 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $38.33 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $53.66 | $76.65 |
| Pharmacy student—1st year of course | $34.76 | $41.72 | $41.72 | $48.67 | $69.53 |
| Pharmacy student—2nd year of course | $35.56 | $42.68 | $42.68 | $49.79 | $71.13 |
| Pharmacy student—3rd year of course | $36.81 | $44.18 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $73.63 |
| Pharmacy student—4th year of course | $38.33 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $53.66 | $76.65 |
| Pharmacy intern—1st half of training | $42.49 | $50.99 | $50.99 | $59.48 | $84.98 |
| Pharmacy intern—2nd half of training | $43.93 | $52.71 | $52.71 | $61.50 | $87.85 |
| Pharmacist | $52.18 | $62.61 | $62.61 | $73.05 | $104.35 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $57.15 | $68.58 | $68.58 | $80.01 | $114.30 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $58.50 | $70.20 | $70.20 | $81.90 | $117.00 |
| Pharmacist manager | $65.19 | $78.23 | $78.23 | $91.26 | $130.38 |
Early morning, late night and other penalty hours
| Hours worked | Full-time and part-time | Casual, loading included |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday, 7.00 am to 8.00 am | 150% | 175% |
| Monday to Friday, 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm | 125% | 150% |
| Monday to Friday, 9.00 pm to midnight | 150% | 175% |
| Saturday, 7.00 am to 8.00 am | 200% | 225% |
| Saturday, 8.00 am to 6.00 pm | 125% | 150% |
| Saturday, 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm | 150% | 175% |
| Saturday, 9.00 pm to midnight | 175% | 200% |
| Sunday, 7.00 am to 9.00 pm | 150% | 175% |
| Sunday, before 7.00 am and after 9.00 pm | 200% | 225% |
| Public holidays, all day | 225% | 250% |
Hourly dollar rates for the remaining bands. Full-time and part-time first, then casual.
| Level | Mon to Fri 7 am to 8 am | Mon to Fri 9 pm to midnight | Sat 7 am to 8 am | Sat 6 pm to 9 pm | Sat 9 pm to midnight | Sun before 7 am or after 9 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $41.72 | $41.72 | $55.62 | $41.72 | $48.67 | $55.62 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $42.68 | $42.68 | $56.90 | $42.68 | $49.79 | $56.90 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $44.18 | $44.18 | $58.90 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $58.90 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $61.32 | $45.99 | $53.66 | $61.32 |
| Pharmacy student—1st year of course | $41.72 | $41.72 | $55.62 | $41.72 | $48.67 | $55.62 |
| Pharmacy student—2nd year of course | $42.68 | $42.68 | $56.90 | $42.68 | $49.79 | $56.90 |
| Pharmacy student—3rd year of course | $44.18 | $44.18 | $58.90 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $58.90 |
| Pharmacy student—4th year of course | $45.99 | $45.99 | $61.32 | $45.99 | $53.66 | $61.32 |
| Pharmacy intern—1st half of training | $50.99 | $50.99 | $67.98 | $50.99 | $59.48 | $67.98 |
| Pharmacy intern—2nd half of training | $52.71 | $52.71 | $70.28 | $52.71 | $61.50 | $70.28 |
| Pharmacist | $62.61 | $62.61 | $83.48 | $62.61 | $73.05 | $83.48 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $68.58 | $68.58 | $91.44 | $68.58 | $80.01 | $91.44 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $70.20 | $70.20 | $93.60 | $70.20 | $81.90 | $93.60 |
| Pharmacist manager | $78.23 | $78.23 | $104.30 | $78.23 | $91.26 | $104.30 |
| Level | Mon to Fri 7 am to 8 am | Mon to Fri 9 pm to midnight | Sat 7 am to 8 am | Sat 6 pm to 9 pm | Sat 9 pm to midnight | Sun before 7 am or after 9 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $48.67 | $48.67 | $62.57 | $48.67 | $55.62 | $62.57 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | $49.79 | $49.79 | $64.01 | $49.79 | $56.90 | $64.01 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | $51.54 | $51.54 | $66.26 | $51.54 | $58.90 | $66.26 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | $53.66 | $53.66 | $68.99 | $53.66 | $61.32 | $68.99 |
| Pharmacy student—1st year of course | $48.67 | $48.67 | $62.57 | $48.67 | $55.62 | $62.57 |
| Pharmacy student—2nd year of course | $49.79 | $49.79 | $64.01 | $49.79 | $56.90 | $64.01 |
| Pharmacy student—3rd year of course | $51.54 | $51.54 | $66.26 | $51.54 | $58.90 | $66.26 |
| Pharmacy student—4th year of course | $53.66 | $53.66 | $68.99 | $53.66 | $61.32 | $68.99 |
| Pharmacy intern—1st half of training | $59.48 | $59.48 | $76.48 | $59.48 | $67.98 | $76.48 |
| Pharmacy intern—2nd half of training | $61.50 | $61.50 | $79.07 | $61.50 | $70.28 | $79.07 |
| Pharmacist | $73.05 | $73.05 | $93.92 | $73.05 | $83.48 | $93.92 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $80.01 | $80.01 | $102.87 | $80.01 | $91.44 | $102.87 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $81.90 | $81.90 | $105.30 | $81.90 | $93.60 | $105.30 |
| Pharmacist manager | $91.26 | $91.26 | $117.34 | $91.26 | $104.30 | $117.34 |
Which level are you?
The award classifies you by the work you do, not your job title. These are examples only, so read the award's classification definitions if you are unsure.
| Level | Examples from the award |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy assistant level 1 | Pharmacy assistant without the competencies for a Community Pharmacy qualification |
| Pharmacy assistant level 2 | Holds the competencies for a Certificate II in Community Pharmacy |
| Pharmacy assistant level 3 | Holds the competencies for a Certificate III in Community Pharmacy and is required to work at this level; includes dispensary assistant level 3 |
| Pharmacy assistant level 4 | Holds the competencies for a Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy and is required to work at this level |
| Pharmacy student—1st year of course | Undertaking training as part of an approved program of study |
| Pharmacy student—2nd year of course | Undertaking training as part of an approved program of study |
| Pharmacy student—3rd year of course | Undertaking training as part of an approved program of study |
| Pharmacy student—4th year of course | Undertaking training as part of an approved program of study |
| Pharmacy intern—1st half of training | Has satisfied the examination requirements of an accredited program of study and is undertaking clinical training |
| Pharmacy intern—2nd half of training | Has satisfied the examination requirements of an accredited program of study and is undertaking clinical training |
| Pharmacist | Registered to practise in the pharmacy profession, other than as a student |
| Experienced pharmacist | A pharmacist with at least 4 years full-time experience (or the part-time equivalent) in a community pharmacy |
| Pharmacist in charge | A pharmacist who assumes responsibility for the day to day supervision and functioning of the community pharmacy |
| Pharmacist manager | A pharmacist who is responsible to the owner of the community pharmacy for all aspects of the business |
Junior rates
Junior percentages apply to pharmacy assistants at levels 1 and 2 only. Pharmacists, interns and students are paid the adult rate.
| Age | % of the adult rate |
|---|---|
| Under 16 years of age | 45% |
| 16 years of age | 50% |
| 17 years of age | 60% |
| 18 years of age | 70% |
| 19 years of age | 80% |
| 20 years of age | 90% |
What these tables leave out
These are the adult ordinary-hours rates and penalty rates for each time band. Overtime, allowances, trainees and the supported wage have their own rates in the award.
Read the full award or the Fair Work pay guides for those rates. To check what you were paid, use the penalty rates page or the payslip checker.
Pay rate questions
What is the award rate for a pharmacist?
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum for a pharmacist is $41.74 an hour ($1,586.30 a week for a full-time employee). An experienced pharmacist gets $45.72, a pharmacist in charge $46.80 and a pharmacist manager $52.15. These are minimums, so your employer can pay more.
What is a casual pharmacist paid?
Casuals get a 25% loading on ordinary hours, which gives $52.18 an hour for a pharmacist and $34.76 for a pharmacy assistant level 1. Use the casual loading calculator to compare casual and permanent pay.
What are the weekend and public holiday rates for a pharmacist?
A full-time or part-time pharmacist gets $52.18 for Saturday daytime hours, $62.61 for Sunday daytime and evening hours and$93.92 on a public holiday. A casual pharmacist gets $62.61, $73.05 and $104.35. The penalty rates page has the multipliers and overtime.
Do pharmacy students and interns get a different rate?
Yes. Pharmacy students are paid by year of course and interns by half of training, each with its own row in the tables above. A student in the first year of a Master of Pharmacy course is treated as being in the 3rd year.
Does this award cover me?
Not always. An enterprise agreement or a different award can apply instead, and the Pharmacy Industry Award covers community pharmacies. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool can help you check.
When do these rates change?
Award rates are reviewed each year, with changes usually starting from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. These rates come from the award as consolidated to 1 July 2026.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
Reviewed: 6 November 2026 · Tax year: 2026-27
Shows adult and junior minimum rates from the award. It does not tell you your classification or whether the award covers you, and it leaves out allowances. This is general information, not advice about your job.