What is the minimum pharmacy salary under the Pharmacy Industry Award?

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly salary for a pharmacist is $1,586.30 ($41.74 per hour). An experienced pharmacist receives $1,737.40 per week, a pharmacist in charge $1,778.40, and a pharmacist manager $1,981.60. Pharmacy assistants range from $1,056.80 (Level 1) to $1,165.10 (Level 4) per week. These rates include the gender undervaluation increases and the annual wage review rise.

How does superannuation affect my pharmacy salary?

Superannuation is paid on top of your pharmacy salary. Employers must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings to a super fund. For a pharmacist on the minimum award rate of $1,586.30 per week, that adds about $190.36 per week in super. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional payment.

Are pharmacy salaries higher than the national minimum wage?

Yes, significantly. The national minimum wage from July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Even the lowest pharmacy assistant award rate ($27.81 per hour) is above that. Pharmacists earn well above the national minimum, reflecting their professional qualifications and responsibilities.

Pharmacy Salary Guide 2026: Award Rates, Take-Home Pay and Super

The minimum pharmacy salary for a pharmacist under the award is $1,586.30 per week ($41.74 per hour) from July 2026, with superannuation paid on top.

Pharmacy Salary Under the Pharmacy Industry Award

If you are researching a pharmacy salary in Australia, the starting point is the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012). This award covers most community pharmacy employees, from pharmacy assistants to pharmacists in charge. The Fair Work Commission sets the minimum rates, and the Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance and enforcement.

Minimum Rates for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Assistants

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the award minimum weekly salaries are:

Pharmacist: $1,586.30 per week ($41.74 per hour)
Experienced pharmacist: $1,737.40 per week ($45.72 per hour)
Pharmacist in charge: $1,778.40 per week ($46.80 per hour)
Pharmacist manager: $1,981.60 per week ($52.15 per hour)
Pharmacy intern (1st half): $1,291.50 per week ($33.99 per hour)
Pharmacy intern (2nd half): $1,335.50 per week ($35.14 per hour)
Pharmacy assistant Level 1: $1,056.80 per week ($27.81 per hour)
Pharmacy assistant Level 4: $1,165.10 per week ($30.66 per hour)

These rates include the 14.1% gender undervaluation increase for pharmacists and interns (applied in stages from June 2025) and the 4.75% annual wage review increase from July 2026. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of these hourly rates.

Junior Rates for Pharmacy Assistants

Pharmacy assistants under 21 years (Levels 1 and 2 only) are paid a percentage of the adult rate:

Under 16: 45%
16 years: 50%
17 years: 60%
18 years: 70%
19 years: 80%
20 years: 90%

For example, a 17-year-old Level 1 assistant would receive 60% of $27.81 = $16.69 per hour.

How Superannuation Fits In

Superannuation is an employer contribution on top of your pharmacy salary. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a pharmacist on the minimum award rate of $1,586.30 per week, the employer adds about $190.36 per week to super. This is not deducted from your take-home pay.

Take-Home Pay Example: Pharmacist

Using the award minimum for a pharmacist ($1,586.30 per week) and the 2026-27 tax rates (with full tax-free threshold, Medicare levy of 2% on income over $30,000, and no other offsets), an estimate of weekly take-home pay is:

Gross: $1,586.30
Tax (approx.): $305
Medicare (approx.): $32
Net: about $1,249 per week

This is illustrative only. Actual tax depends on your total annual income, HELP repayments, and other factors. The low income tax offset and other adjustments are not included here. For a detailed calculation, use the ATO’s tax estimator.

How Pharmacy Salary Compares to Averages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that in May 2026, full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. The pharmacist award minimum of $1,586.30 is below that average, but many pharmacists earn above the award through enterprise agreements or individual negotiation. Pharmacy assistants typically earn less than the national average.

Award-Free Employees and the National Minimum

If a pharmacy employee is not covered by the Pharmacy Award (rare in community pharmacy), the national minimum wage applies: $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from July 2026. Casual employees receive a 25% loading ($33.05 per hour). However, the award covers most pharmacy workers, so the award rates are the legal minimum for that industry.

Enterprise Agreements and Individual Contracts

A registered enterprise agreement or an individual contract can set a higher pharmacy salary than the award, but not lower. If you are covered by an agreement, check its rates. The award acts as a safety net.

For more details on how minimum wages work, see our Rate tables and Guides.

Summary

The pharmacy salary landscape is defined by the Pharmacy Industry Award, with clear minimum rates for each classification. Superannuation is paid on top. While the award provides a solid base, many pharmacists earn more through experience, negotiation, or agreements. Always check the specific award or agreement that applies to your workplace.