What is the minimum pharmacy assistant salary under the award?

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 sets a minimum hourly rate of $27.81 for a Level 1 pharmacy assistant (adult, full-time), which equates to $1,056.80 per week. Higher levels pay more: Level 2 $28.45/h, Level 3 $29.45/h, Level 4 $30.66/h. These rates already exceed the national minimum wage of $26.44/h.

Are junior pharmacy assistants paid less?

Yes. For pharmacy assistants classified at Level 1 or Level 2 who are under 21, the award applies a percentage of the adult rate. For example, a 16‑year‑old Level 1 receives 50% of $27.81 = $13.91/h (full‑time). Casual juniors also get the 25% casual loading on top of that reduced rate.

How does superannuation affect the pharmacy assistant salary?

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (including the award rate). So for a Level 1 full‑time employee earning $1,056.80 per week, the employer contributes an extra $126.82 to a super fund. This is not deducted from the employee’s pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.

Pharmacy Assistant Salary Guide: Weekly Pay, Tax, Medicare and Super

The Pharmacy Industry Award sets minimum rates for pharmacy assistants, with a Level 1 adult full-time rate of $27.81 per hour ($1,056.80 per week) from 1 July 2026, plus 12% superannuation on top.

Pharmacy assistant salary: what the award says

If you work in a community pharmacy as a pharmacy assistant, your minimum pay is set by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide that summarises the rates, and the Fair Work Commission updates the award each year after the Annual Wage Review. From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for an adult full‑time pharmacy assistant at Level 1 is $27.81, or $1,056.80 per week for 38 ordinary hours. That is higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, because the award is the legal floor for this industry.

How the weekly packet breaks down

Your weekly pay before tax is the award rate multiplied by your ordinary hours. For a Level 1 full‑time employee, that is $1,056.80. From that amount, your employer must withhold Pay As You Go (PAYG) tax according to the ATO tax tables for 2026‑27. Once your annualised ordinary gross exceeds about $30,000, you also pay the Medicare levy at 2% (unless you qualify for a reduction or exemption). The low‑income tax offset and other offsets may reduce your tax, but this guide does not model those.

On top of your gross pay, your employer must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% into a complying super fund. That is an extra $126.82 per week for a Level 1 assistant, bringing the total employment cost to $1,183.62. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional contribution.

Award rates vs other pay floors

The award rate is the legal minimum for employees covered by the Pharmacy Industry Award. If your employer is not covered by any award (rare in community pharmacy), the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies, but only if no award covers the work. Most pharmacy assistants are award‑covered, so the award rates above are the starting point.

Some employers may pay above the award – that is a negotiated salary. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. The award is the floor, not the ceiling.

Junior and casual rates

Pharmacy assistants under 21 years old who are classified at Level 1 or Level 2 receive a percentage of the adult rate. For example, a 16‑year‑old gets 50% of $27.81 = $13.91 per hour (full‑time). Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate – so a casual adult Level 1 gets $34.76 per hour. The loading compensates for not receiving paid leave.

How the award compares to average earnings

The ABS May 2026 report shows that all employees (full‑time and part‑time) earned an average of $1,579.20 per week in total earnings. The pharmacy assistant Level 1 minimum of $1,056.80 is about two‑thirds of that average. This gap reflects that pharmacy assistants are often entry‑level or part‑time roles, and many progress to higher classifications or pharmacist roles.

What about pharmacists?

The award also covers pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy students. A pharmacist’s minimum weekly rate from 1 July 2026 is $1,586.30 ($41.74/h), and an experienced pharmacist gets $1,737.40 ($45.72/h). Those rates are closer to the all‑employees average.

Where to get more information

Which minimum wage applies – a tool to check if you are award‑free or covered by a modern award.
Rate tables – full tables for the Pharmacy Industry Award and other awards.
Guides – explanations of penalty rates, overtime, and allowances.

Important notes

This guide uses the award rates effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Always check the latest award on the Fair Work Commission website or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool for your exact situation. Enterprise agreements may provide better conditions. The information here is for orientation only and is not legal or tax advice.