Restaurant manager salary: which Australian pay floor applies and what people mix up

What is the restaurant manager salary floor in Australia?

When people search for a "restaurant manager salary", they often want to know the going rate, but the first question should be: what is the legal minimum? In Australia, the answer depends on whether the role is covered by a modern award. For a restaurant manager who is award-free, the national minimum wage applies: $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee from 1 July 2026. That figure comes from the Fair Work Commission's annual wage review and is enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. On top of that, employers must pay the superannuation guarantee of 12%.

However, many restaurant managers are classified under the Restaurant Industry Award 2020 . This award sets higher minimum rates. For example, a Level 5 food and beverage supervisor (the highest non-managerial classification) must be paid at least $31.30 per hour or $1,189.40 per week. But a true restaurant manager—someone who controls operations, hires staff, and manages budgets—may fall outside the award's scope. The Fair Work Ombudsman advises that if the role is genuinely managerial (e.g., the employee has the authority to make decisions about rostering, purchasing, and discipline), the award may not apply, and the national minimum becomes the floor.

Award coverage for restaurant managers

The Restaurant Industry Award 2020 covers employees in restaurants, cafes, and similar dining establishments. It includes classifications from Introductory Level up to Level 6 (cook grade 5). The highest classification that might apply to a supervisor is Level 5, which includes food and beverage supervisors and clerical supervisors. But a restaurant manager who directs the work of others and has significant autonomy is often considered a managerial employee and therefore not covered by the award. In that case, the award does not set a minimum wage—the national minimum wage does.

To check coverage, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool. If the award applies, the employer must pay at least the award rate for the correct classification. If no award applies, the national minimum wage is the backstop. An enterprise agreement can also set higher rates, but never lower than the award or national minimum.

Survey average vs legal minimum

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia provide survey data on what restaurant managers actually earn. According to the latest figures from Jobs and Skills Australia , the median full-time weekly earnings for Cafe and Restaurant Managers is $1,441, and the median hourly earnings is $37. That is significantly above the national minimum wage. But these are averages, not legal requirements. They include experienced managers in high-end venues and those working longer hours (average 46 hours per week).

It is a common mistake to assume that a survey median is the minimum you should be paid. The legal minimum is much lower. For a young or inexperienced manager, or one in a smaller venue, the actual pay may be closer to the award rate or national minimum. Always check your specific circumstances.

Superannuation and other considerations

All minimum rates discussed here are before tax. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a manager earning the national minimum of $1,004.90 per week, the employer must contribute an additional $120.59 per week to a super fund. This is not deducted from the employee's pay; it is an extra cost for the employer.

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For award-free casuals, that means $33.05 per hour. Award-covered casuals get the award casual rate, which may include the loading in the hourly figure.

How to determine your correct pay floor

1. Check if a modern award covers your role. The Restaurant Industry Award is the most likely for restaurant managers, but not if you are genuinely managerial. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's online tool.
2. If an award applies, find your classification and the corresponding minimum rate. Remember that juniors, apprentices, and trainees may be paid a percentage of the adult rate.
3. If no award applies, the national minimum wage is your floor. For adults 21 and over, that is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026.
4. Enterprise agreements can set higher rates, but never lower.

For more detail, see our guides on Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

The bottom line

The "restaurant manager salary" you see in job ads or surveys is often a market rate, not a legal minimum. The legal floor is either the national minimum wage ($26.44/h) or a higher award rate if the role is covered. Always verify your award coverage before negotiating or accepting a job. And remember: super is on top.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.