Fast Food Award Classification Levels 2025–26

Being classified Grade 1 after 6 months is the most common classification error in fast food.

Your classification grade determines your base rate of pay under the Fast Food Award. If your grade is wrong, every hour you work — including overtime, penalties, and leave — is underpaid. Misclassification is one of the most common and least visible forms of underpayment in the industry.

If you have never been told your classification grade, or your duties have changed since you started — this applies to you.

Fast Food Award classification grades — 2025 rates

Rates based on the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000003, effective 1 July 2025.

The difference between Grade 1 and Grade 3 Responsible is $2.35/hr. On a full-time week that is $89.3 — and that gap compounds on every penalty rate and overtime hour.

Grade 1 — Entry level

Grade 1 is the starting point for new employees with no relevant experience. It covers basic duties performed under direct supervision.

Indicative tasks

• Counter service — taking orders, handling cash under supervision
• Basic food preparation — assembling standard menu items
• Cleaning — general cleaning of customer and kitchen areas
• Packaging — bagging orders, basic inventory tasks
• Assisting other employees under direction

Grade 1 is appropriate for new starters learning the role. If you have been at your job for more than a few months and are performing tasks beyond these basics, you should not still be Grade 1.

Grade 2 — Experienced

Grade 2 covers employees who have developed skills beyond entry level and work with limited supervision. This is where most experienced crew members should be classified.

Indicative tasks

• Operating grills, fryers, and other specialised equipment independently
• Stock control — receiving deliveries, rotating stock, basic ordering
• Training new Grade 1 employees in basic tasks
• Handling cash and operating POS systems without oversight
• Preparing non-standard or complex menu items
• Quality control — checking food standards and presentation

If you operate equipment on your own, handle stock, or train new starters — you are performing Grade 2 duties. The difference from Grade 1 is $1.57/hr, which compounds to $3,102.32/year on full-time hours before penalties.

Grade 3 (Solo) — Works alone, opens/closes

Grade 3 Solo applies to employees who work alone at the premises, typically during opening or closing, or who are solely responsible for the operation of the store during their shift.

Indicative tasks

• Opening the store — disabling alarms, setting up equipment, preparing for trade
• Closing the store — cashing up, securing premises, cleaning down
• Working alone during quiet periods with full responsibility for the store
• Handling all customer interactions without backup
• Making operational decisions without a manager present

If you are ever left alone to run the store — even for part of a shift — you are performing Grade 3 Solo duties during that time. Being paid Grade 1 for this work is underpayment.

Grade 3 (Responsible) — Supervises 2+ employees

Grade 3 Responsible is the highest classification under the Fast Food Award. It applies to employees who supervise two or more other employees during their shift.

Indicative tasks

• Directing the work of 2 or more employees during a shift
• Running a shift as shift supervisor or team leader
• Allocating tasks and managing workflow
• Handling customer complaints and escalations
• Cash reconciliation and end-of-day reporting
• Training and coaching team members

If you are the person in charge during your shift and direct other workers, you are performing Grade 3 Responsible duties. Many fast food "team leaders" or "shift supervisors" are still paid at Grade 1 — this is underpayment on every hour worked.

How to check your classification grade

Your classification is based on the work you actually do — not your job title, not what your contract says, and not what your employer decides.

• Step 1: Look at your payslip. Does it state a classification grade? If not, ask your employer.
• Step 2: Compare your daily duties against the grade descriptions above.
• Step 3: If your duties match a higher grade than you are being paid, you may be owed back pay on every hour worked at the lower rate.

Common signs of misclassification: you open or close the store, you train other staff, you supervise shifts, you operate equipment independently — but you are paid at Grade 1.

If any of these sound familiar, check your pay now.

Related guides

• Fast Food Award penalty rates guide →
• Fast Food Award overtime guide →
• Fast Food Award casual employees guide →
• Fast Food Award allowances guide →
• Full pay rates table →

Frequently asked questions

Not sure if you are being paid correctly? Check now.

Enter your shifts below and see exactly what you should have been paid — at the correct classification grade, with every penalty rate and loading applied.

It takes 2 minutes — and you will know for certain if you have been underpaid.

Based on official pay rates from the Fair Work Commission (MA000003).