Hospitality vs Restaurant Award
Which award covers you? Use the industry and employer tests to determine whether the Hospitality Award or Restaurant Award applies to your role and workplace.
Last updated: March 2026
If you work in a café, restaurant, or hospitality venue and have never verified which award applies, there's a high chance you don't know — and there's a meaningful chance the wrong one is being used. The Hospitality Award (MA000009) and the Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119) cover similar workers in similar settings. But the rates differ, particularly on Sundays — meaning the wrong award could mean every Sunday shift has been calculated incorrectly from the start.
If you work in a café, restaurant, hotel dining room, or any food and beverage venue — this applies to you.
Real example
Scenario: Waitstaff at a standalone café. Employer applies the Hospitality Award. The Restaurant Award actually applies.
Why it matters: Sunday permanent rates differ between the two awards. Restaurant Award Sunday rate (1.75×) is higher than Hospitality Award (1.5×).
Impact: Potentially underpaid on every Sunday shift for the duration of employment.
Why it happens: Employer uses whichever award they're familiar with. Worker has no way to check without knowing which applies.
The core distinction
The difference comes down to the employer's primary business activity.
Hospitality Award (MA000009) applies when the primary business is:
- Hotel, motel, resort, or accommodation
- Licensed club
- Function centre connected to an accommodation venue
- Pub or bar operating as part of a hotel
Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119) applies when the primary business is:
- Standalone restaurant
- Standalone café or coffee shop
- Catering business not connected to a hotel
- Event catering
If your payslip doesn't show which award applies, that's a red flag.
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Decision framework — which award applies to you?
- 1. Is your employer primarily in accommodation or hotels? → Yes → Hospitality Award
- 2. Is it a pub, bar, or licensed club (not primarily accommodation)? → Yes → Hospitality Award
- 3. Is it a standalone restaurant or café with no accommodation component? → Yes → Restaurant Award
- 4. Is your restaurant or café attached to a hotel or resort? → Yes → Hospitality Award
- 5. Still not sure? → Use the Fair Work Award Finder at fairwork.gov.au
Key rate differences
| Scenario | Hospitality Award | Restaurant Award |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday rate (permanent) | 1.5× | 1.75× |
| Sunday rate (casual) | Higher multiplier — check pay guide | Different multiplier — check pay guide |
| Public holiday rate | 2.25× | 2.25× |
The Restaurant Award Sunday rate for permanent employees is meaningfully higher — making correct award identification particularly important for Sunday workers.
Rates effective 1 July 2025. Refer to your award's pay guide for exact dollar amounts.
If you've been on the wrong award for your Sunday shifts, check your pay now.
Not sure if you’re being paid correctly?
Enter your shifts and find out in 2 minutes. Free, instant, based on official Fair Work rates.
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⚠️ Common wrong-award issues
Hospitality Award applied to standalone restaurant staff
The most common error. Restaurant staff on the Hospitality Award may receive lower Sunday rates than they're entitled to.
Award not specified on payslip or contract
If your documentation doesn't clearly identify which award applies, ask your employer directly. They're legally required to tell you.
Award changed without notification
Employees are entitled to know which award applies. Any change must be communicated — and changing to a less favourable award may not be legally valid.
Frequently asked questions
My café is inside a hotel — which award?
Almost certainly the Hospitality Award. Food and beverage operations that are part of a hotel fall under the Hospitality Award regardless of how the venue is branded.
I work at a café that does catering events — does that change anything?
Not if the café is the primary business. Occasional catering doesn't switch the award. But if catering is the primary business, the Restaurant Award may apply.
My employer says we're on the Hospitality Award — how do I verify?
Check your payslip and employment contract — the award should be named. You can also check using the Fair Work Award Finder. If the Finder says Restaurant Award but your employer is applying Hospitality, that's worth raising.
Check your pay under the correct award
Now that you've identified which award applies, check what you're actually owed:
- Hospitality Award → Hospitality Award pay rates
- Restaurant Award → Restaurant Award pay rates
The rates differ — particularly on Sundays. Use the correct award hub for your workplace.
Don't guess — the award determines every rate you're paid.
Enter your shifts and check what you should have been paid under the correct award for your workplace.
Not sure if you’re being paid correctly?
Enter your shifts and find out in 2 minutes. Free, instant, based on official Fair Work rates.
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General information only — not legal advice. Verify at fairwork.gov.au.
Not sure if you’re being paid correctly?
Enter your shifts and find out in 2 minutes. Free, instant, based on official Fair Work rates.
Check my pay nowNo sign-up required