What is the minimum hourly rate for a pharmacist in Australia?

Under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, the minimum hourly rate for a pharmacist classification is $41.74 as of the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Higher rates apply for experienced pharmacists ($45.72), pharmacists in charge ($46.80), and pharmacist managers ($52.15). These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Does the pharmacist salary include superannuation?

No, the minimum rates shown are base pay only. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a pharmacist earning $41.74 per hour, the employer pays an additional $5.01 per hour into a super fund. The super guarantee is a separate payment and does not reduce the minimum wage.

Can a pharmacist be paid less than the award rate?

Generally no, unless a registered enterprise agreement approved by the Fair Work Commission sets a different rate, which must still pass the better-off-overall test. Junior rates, supported wages, or training arrangements do not apply to pharmacists (only to pharmacy assistants). Award-free pharmacists would fall back to the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, but most community pharmacists are covered by the award.

Pharmacist Salary: Award Minimum Rates and Legal Pay Floors

The minimum hourly rate for a pharmacist under the Pharmacy Industry Award is $41.74 as of 1 July 2026, well above the national minimum wage.

Pharmacist salary under the Pharmacy Industry Award

When discussing a pharmacist salary in Australia, the legal minimum is set by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012), which covers community pharmacy employers and their employees. The Fair Work Commission determines these rates through annual wage reviews, and the Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance and enforcement. As of the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a pharmacist classification is $41.74, with higher rates for experienced pharmacists, pharmacists in charge, and pharmacist managers.

Minimum rates for pharmacists

The award specifies minimum weekly and hourly rates for full-time and part-time employees. For a pharmacist (the base classification), the weekly rate is $1,586.30 for 38 ordinary hours, equating to $41.74 per hour. An experienced pharmacist receives $1,737.40 per week ($45.72/h), a pharmacist in charge receives $1,778.40 per week ($46.80/h), and a pharmacist manager receives $1,981.60 per week ($52.15/h). These rates are before any penalty rates for evening, Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday work, which are paid at higher percentages. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate, making the casual pharmacist rate $52.18 per hour.

How the award compares to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for award-free adult employees. The pharmacist award rate of $41.74 is 58% higher than this floor. This reflects the specialised qualifications and responsibilities of pharmacists. For comparison, the ABS May 2026 full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, so a pharmacist on the award minimum earns about 76% of the national average weekly earnings. The award rate is a legal minimum; many pharmacists earn above it through enterprise agreements or individual negotiations.

Superannuation and other entitlements

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a pharmacist earning the minimum $41.74 per hour, this adds $5.01 per hour to the total employment cost. Super is not deducted from the wage; it is an additional payment into a complying super fund. The award also provides for annual leave, personal leave, and other National Employment Standards entitlements.

When an enterprise agreement can set a higher rate

A registered enterprise agreement approved by the Fair Work Commission can set different pay rates, but it must pass the better-off-overall test, meaning the employee must be better off overall compared to the award. In practice, many community pharmacies use enterprise agreements that offer slightly higher base rates or additional allowances. If no agreement applies, the award minimum is the legal floor.

Award-free pharmacists

Pharmacists who are not covered by the Pharmacy Industry Award (for example, those working in hospital pharmacies covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, or in state public sector awards) will have different minimum rates. For award-free employees, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies, but this is rare for qualified pharmacists. Always check the applicable award or agreement.

For more detail on how minimum wages are calculated and which award applies, see our Rate tables and How the figures work guides.