What is the casual loading for hairdressers?

Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award, casual employees receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate for ordinary hours worked between 7am and 9pm Monday to Friday. For a Level 1 hairdresser, this means a casual rate of $34.76 per hour ($27.81 × 1.25). The loading is included in penalty rates and overtime rates as specified in the award. Use our [casual loading](/topics/casual-loading) guide for more details.

How does overtime pay work for hairdressers?

Overtime for full-time and part-time hairdressers is paid at 150% for the first 3 hours and 200% thereafter (Monday to Saturday). Casual employees receive 175% for the first 3 hours and 225% thereafter, which already includes the casual loading. Overtime is triggered when working more than 38 hours per week or more than 10.5 hours per day. Refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman's page for examples.

What tax and super should a hairdresser expect on their salary?

For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates apply: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. Medicare levy is generally 2%. Superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your gross salary, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Use our [take-home pay](/topics/take-home) calculator for a personalised estimate.

Understanding the Hairdresser Salary: Award Rates, Casual Loading, and Take-Home Pay

A full-time hairdresser at Level 1 under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award earns $27.81 per hour, or $1,056.80 per week for 38 hours, equating to an annual gross salary of $54,953.60 before tax and super.

What Is a Hairdresser Salary?

When searching for a hairdresser salary, it's important to know that most hairdressers in Australia are covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020. This award sets minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, and conditions that are generally higher than the National Minimum Wage. As of 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, but a Level 1 hairdresser under the award earns $27.81 per hour – a clear example of how award rates can boost your base pay.

How to Calculate Annual Gross Pay

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a full-time hairdresser, ordinary hours are 38 per week (averaged over up to 4 weeks). So a Level 1 hairdresser earning $27.81 per hour would have:

Weekly gross: $27.81 × 38 = $1,056.80
Fortnightly gross: $1,056.80 × 2 = $2,113.60
Annual gross: $1,056.80 × 52 = $54,953.60

This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, and no penalty rates or allowances. For a more personalised estimate, use our the timesheet tool where you can enter your base hourly rate and toggle casual loading.

Award Rates for Different Levels

The award classifies hairdressers into six levels based on skill and responsibility. The minimum hourly rates from 1 July 2026 are:

Level	Hourly Rate	Weekly Rate (38 hours)
Level 1	$27.81	$1,056.80
Level 2	$28.45	$1,081.00
Level 3	$29.45	$1,119.10
Level 4	$30.00	$1,139.90
Level 5	$30.89	$1,174.00
Level 6	$32.00	$1,215.90

These rates are the minimum; many employers pay above award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a pay guides page with full details.

Casual Hairdresser Pay

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate for ordinary hours worked between 7am and 9pm Monday to Friday. For a Level 1 casual, that’s $27.81 × 1.25 = $34.76 per hour. The loading is included in penalty rates and overtime rates. For example, a casual working Saturday between 7am and 6pm gets 158% of the minimum rate (which already includes the 25% loading), equating to $43.94 per hour.

Casual hairdressers are paid at the end of each engagement unless they agree to weekly or fortnightly pay. Overtime for casuals is 175% for the first 3 hours and 225% thereafter (Monday to Saturday). See the Fair Work Ombudsman’s page for more examples.

Superannuation and Tax

Superannuation is paid on top of your gross salary. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a Level 1 full-time hairdresser earning $54,953.60, the super contribution would be $6,594.43 per year (12% of $54,953.60). This is paid by your employer and does not reduce your take-home pay directly.

Income tax for 2026–27 is calculated on the resident tax-free threshold:

$0 – $18,200: Nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% of excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30% of excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37% of excess over $135,000
$190,001+: $51,370 plus 45% of excess over $190,000

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For a Level 1 hairdresser earning $54,953.60, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be around $8,800, leaving a take-home pay of about $46,150 per year. Use our take-home pay calculator for a precise estimate.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many hairdressers are paid fortnightly. For a Level 1 full-time employee, the fortnightly gross is $2,113.60. After tax and Medicare, the net pay might be around $1,775 per fortnight. This can help with budgeting for rent, bills, and savings.

Key Takeaways

A hairdresser salary is governed by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award, not the National Minimum Wage.
Full-time ordinary hours are 38 per week; use the formula hourly × 38 × 52 for annual gross.
Casual employees get a 25% loading on the base rate.
Super is 12% paid on top; tax follows the 2026–27 resident scale plus 2% Medicare.
For a quick calculation, visit our the timesheet tool and enter your base rate.

Remember, this is an estimate. Your actual pay may vary due to penalty rates, allowances, or salary packaging. Always check your award or employment agreement for the exact terms.