Café Worker Pay Rates Australia 2025–26
Last updated: March 2026 · Rates effective 1 July 2025 · MA000119
If you work in a standalone café, the most common issue isn't just your rate — it's that the wrong award has been applied entirely. Many standalone café workers are incorrectly placed on the Hospitality Industry (General) Award when they should be covered by the Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119).
The wrong award means different base rates, different penalties, and different entitlements — and it compounds across every shift.
For the full Restaurant Award overview, see the Restaurant Award pay guide.
Which award covers café workers?
Standalone café (including cafés inside shopping centres, food courts, or retail areas) → Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119).
Café inside a hotel, motel, or accommodation venue → Hospitality Industry (General) Award (MA000009).
If you're unsure, check the Fair Work Award Finder.
Real example
Scenario: Casual barista and food & beverage attendant, Level 2, working in a standalone café. Employer applies the Hospitality Award instead of the Restaurant Award. Worker does a 6-hour Sunday shift and is paid the flat casual rate.
What they were paid: $32.31/hr × 6 hours = $193.86 (flat casual rate, no Sunday penalty)
What they should have been paid: Sunday casual L2 $45.23/hr × 6 hours = $271.38
Underpayment: $77.52 on a single Sunday. Over a year of weekly Sunday shifts, that's ~$4,031.00.
Why it happens: The employer applies the wrong award and pays a flat casual rate with no weekend penalties. Two issues compounding together.
Café worker pay rates — Restaurant Award 2025
| Level | Casual Rate | Saturday (Casual) | Sunday (Casual) | Public Holiday (Casual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $31.19/hr | $37.43/hr | $43.67/hr | $62.38/hr |
| Level 2 | $32.31/hr | $38.77/hr | $45.23/hr | $64.62/hr |
| Level 3 | $33.38/hr | $40.06/hr | $46.73/hr | $66.76/hr |
Rates based on the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000119, effective 1 July 2025.
⚠️ Common underpayments for café workers
Wrong award applied
Standalone cafés are covered by the Restaurant Award, not the Hospitality Award. Different awards mean different base rates and penalty structures. Being on the wrong award can result in underpayment across every entitlement.
Flat casual rate on weekends
Casual employees are entitled to Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday penalty rates on top of their casual base rate. A flat rate that doesn't change on weekends is almost certainly wrong.
Kept at Level 1 or introductory level too long
The introductory classification is only for the first 3 months with no prior experience. After 3 months, you must be reclassified to at least Level 1. Most café workers performing standard duties should be Level 2.
Casual loading "covers" weekends
The 25% casual loading compensates for lack of leave entitlements. It does not replace weekend or public holiday penalties. These are separate, additional entitlements.
Frequently asked questions
My employer says we're on the Hospitality Award — how do I check?
Use the Fair Work Award Finder tool at fairwork.gov.au to confirm which award covers your workplace. If you work in a standalone café or restaurant (not attached to a hotel, motel, or accommodation venue), the Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119) almost certainly applies. The Hospitality Award covers cafés and restaurants that are part of an accommodation or hotel business.
Does working in a shopping centre café change the award?
No. If the café is a standalone business — even if it's located inside a shopping centre, food court, or retail complex — the Restaurant Industry Award applies. The location doesn't determine the award; the nature of the business does. A standalone café is covered by the Restaurant Award regardless of where it operates.
What level should a barista be classified at?
Most baristas are classified at Level 2 (food and beverage attendant grade 2) as a standard. If you've completed formal barista training, have supervisory responsibilities, or are performing higher-skilled duties like training other staff, you should be at Level 3. Being kept at Level 1 beyond the introductory period is a red flag.
See also: Restaurant Award penalty rates · Restaurant Award classifications · Restaurant Award pay rates
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Rates sourced from the Fair Work Commission pay guide for the Restaurant Industry Award 2020 (MA000119), effective 1 July 2025. General information only — not legal advice. Verify at fairwork.gov.au.