Fast Food award
Fast food employee level 1 pay rate
The current adult base minimum for Fast food employee level 1 under the Fast Food Industry Award 2020 (MA000003) is shown below from the Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database. The figure is operative from 2026-07-01. It is a wage floor for that classification — not a determination of which classification applies to a specific employee.
Award: Fast Food Industry Award 2020 (MA000003) · Clause 15.1 · Content reviewed 2026-07-15
Current adult base minimum, hourly
$27.81/hr
Operative from 2026-07-01
| Period | Hourly minimum |
|---|---|
| 2024-07-01 | $25.65 |
| 2025-07-01 | $26.55 |
| 2026-07-01 | $27.81 |
Source: Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database, effective 2026-07-01, published 2026.
What does this rate include?
Includes
- The adult base minimum hourly rate published for this classification in the Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database
- The operative (effective) date when the live rate row provides one
- Recent prior adult base rates for the same classification when history is returned by the source
Does not include
- Casual loading, overtime, penalty rates, and allowances (unless you apply them separately in a Pro check)
- Apprentice rates (not covered by AwardGuard)
- Junior age-band rates as authoritative figures (Pro may show a broad estimate only — always verify against the pay guide)
- A determination of which classification correctly applies to a named employee
Classification context
Fast food employee level 1 is a Fast Food Industry Award classification label. Fast food workplaces often map counter and supervisory duties to these levels — confirm against the award definitions and Fair Work resources before relying on any comparison.
For official classification guidance see the Fair Work Ombudsman — Award classifications and the Fast Food Industry Award 2020 (MA000003).
Worked hypothetical example
- An employer pays an adult employee $X per hour for duties they believe match “Fast food employee level 1”.
- They look up the published adult base minimum shown on this page and note the operative date.
- If $X is below that minimum for ordinary hours covered by the base rate, the comparison flags a shortfall to investigate — it is not a finding of underpayment by itself.
- They then check loadings, penalties, allowances, and whether a different classification or instrument applies, using Fair Work materials or advice.
Common mistakes
- Treating the page rate as proof of the correct classification for a specific person
- Comparing a casual all-in rate to the adult base minimum without accounting for casual loading
- Ignoring the operative date when rates change on 1 July after an Annual Wage Review
- Assuming AwardGuard replaces the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay and Conditions Tool or pay guides
Related classifications
Source: Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database. Adult base rate only. General information only — not legal or workplace-relations advice. The applicable modern award always prevails. AwardGuard is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Fair Work Commission, Fair Work Ombudsman, NDIA or NDIS.