Hospitality Award Wages Increase 4.75% From 1 July 2026. But There Is a Second Story.
The Fair Work Commission handed down its Annual Wage Review decision on 2 June 2026.
Award minimum wages will increase by 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. For hospitality operators running pubs, clubs, hotels, bars and accommodation venues, that means higher labour costs across every classification and every shift.
But focusing only on 4.75% misses something important.
The Change Most Reporting Is Not Covering
Alongside the 4.75% increase, the Fair Work Commission has made a structural change to the lowest-paid classifications in the modern award system.
The C13 classification is the lowest wage rate applicable to ongoing employment across all modern awards. As part of a phased process to eventually remove it, the Commission has applied an additional uplift to C13 beyond the standard 4.75%.
From 1 July 2026, the C13 rate rises to $26.44 per hour. That represents an increase of approximately 6%, not 4.75%.
For context, the current national minimum wage is $24.95 per hour. A straight 4.75% would produce $26.14. The Commission has lifted it further to $26.44 as stage one of the C13 phase-out.
This is not a minor technical detail. The hospitality industry has the second highest concentration of award-reliant workers of any modern award in the country. A significant portion of those workers sit at or near the bottom classifications.
What This Means for Hospitality Award Level 1
This is where it gets practical for operators.
The HIGA Level 1 classification covers Food and Beverage Attendant Grade 1, Kitchen Attendant Grade 1 and Guest Service Grade 1. These are among the most common roles in any pub, club or hotel.
Currently, the full-time Level 1 base rate is $24.95 per hour. A straight 4.75% would take that to $26.14.
But $26.14 falls below the new C13 floor of $26.44.
Until the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the updated pay guide for the Hospitality Industry (General) Award (MA000009), we cannot confirm the exact Level 1 rate with certainty. What we can say is that Level 1 will be at least $26.44 per hour for full-time and part-time employees, and the casual rate will be at least $33.05 per hour.
Classification Current rate New rate from 1 July Increase per hour
Level 1 - F&B Attendant Grade 1 $31.19 $33.05 +$1.86
Level 2 - F&B Attendant Grade 2 $32.31 $33.85 +$1.54
Level 3 - F&B Attendant Grade 3 $33.38 $34.96 +$1.58
Level 4 - F&B Attendant Grade 4 $35.15 $36.83 +$1.68
Level 5 - F&B Supervisor $37.35 $39.12 +$1.77
Casual Saturday rates (150% of base rate, casual loading absorbed)
Classification Current rate New rate from 1 July Increase per hour
Level 1 - F&B Attendant Grade 1 $37.42 $39.66 +$2.24
Level 2 - F&B Attendant Grade 2 $38.78 $40.62 +$1.84
Level 3 - F&B Attendant Grade 3 $40.05 $41.95 +$1.90
Level 4 - F&B Attendant Grade 4 $42.18 $44.19 +$2.01
Level 5 - F&B Supervisor $44.82 $46.95 +$2.13
Casual Sunday rates (175% of base rate, casual loading absorbed)
Classification Current rate New rate from 1 July Increase per hour
Level 1 - F&B Attendant Grade 1 $43.66 $46.27 +$2.61
Level 2 - F&B Attendant Grade 2 $45.24 $47.39 +$2.15
Level 3 - F&B Attendant Grade 3 $46.73 $48.95 +$2.22
Level 4 - F&B Attendant Grade 4 $49.21 $51.55 +$2.34
Level 5 - F&B Supervisor $52.29 $54.77 +$2.48
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Then Add Payday Super
The wage increase is not the only change on 1 July.
From 1 July 2026, super must be paid within seven business days of each payday. The quarterly model ends. Super is now part of every pay run.
For venues that have been sitting on a quarterly super balance, the cashflow impact starts from the first July pay run. Super leaves your account every week or fortnight from that point.
The super guarantee rate for 2026-27 is 12%, confirmed by the ATO.
What to Do Before 1 July
Wait for the official pay guide before finalising rates
The Fair Work Ombudsman will publish the updated MA000009 pay guide before 1 July. Do not set Level 1 rates until you have confirmed the figure from that guide. A straight 4.75% on Level 1 is likely to be incorrect. Use $33.05 as your working minimum for Level 1 casual weekday rates until the guide confirms the final figure.
Check your rostering system separately
If your roster tool stores pay rates independently from your payroll platform, update it there too. A common error is updating payroll but leaving old rates in the scheduling system, which creates reconciliation problems when timesheets are imported.
Rebuild your cashflow forecast for Payday Super + payrate increases
Model your weekly or fortnightly super payments against your actual roster. The quarterly super float disappears from 1 July. For most hospitality venues, this is the larger operational change.
Confirm your super clearing house is live
The ATO Small Business Superannuation Clearing House closed on 30 June 2026. If you were using it, you need a SuperStream-compliant alternative before the first July pay run.
A Note on Award Coverage
Not every hospitality venue is covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award. Two other awards are common in this industry.
If your operation is primarily a restaurant or cafe, you may fall under the Restaurant Industry Award (MA000003). If you operate an RSL, sporting club, leagues club or community club, you may fall under the Registered and Licensed Clubs Award (MA000058). Both awards received the same 4.75% increase and are subject to the same C13 floor changes, but the base rates and classification structures are different.
Check your coverage using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool at fairwork.gov.au if you are not certain which award applies.
The Bottom Line
The headline figure is 4.75%. For most of your team that is the right number.
For your Level 1 employees, the answer is more than 4.75%. Exactly how much more will be confirmed when the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the updated pay guide. What we know now is the minimum: $26.44 per hour base, $33.05 casual weekday rate.
Apply a straight 4.75% to Level 1 and you are likely underpaying from the first July pay run.
If you want help working through the rates for your specific venue before 1 July, we are here.
Book a free consultation with Admyn