Pharmacy Assistant Salary: Award Rates, Casual Loading & Take-Home Pay
A full-time pharmacy assistant level 1 earns $27.81 per hour, or $1,056.80 per week for 38 hours, amounting to $54,953.60 annually before tax and super.
Understanding the Pharmacy Assistant Salary Under the Award
If you are looking for a reliable pharmacy assistant salary figure, the starting point is the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012), which sets minimum rates for employees in pharmacies across Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide that applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. This guide covers full-time, part-time, and casual employees, and includes penalty rates, overtime, and allowances.
Award Rates for Pharmacy Assistants
The award classifies pharmacy assistants into four levels based on skill and responsibility. The minimum weekly and hourly rates for full-time employees (38 ordinary hours per week) are:
- Level 1: $1,056.80 per week / $27.81 per hour
- Level 2: $1,081.00 per week / $28.45 per hour
- Level 3: $1,119.10 per week / $29.45 per hour
- Level 4: $1,165.10 per week / $30.66 per hour
These rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide and the award itself. They are the minimums; many employers pay above award.
Calculating Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate
To estimate your annual pharmacy assistant salary, use the formula:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, the calculation is straightforward. For example, a level 1 pharmacy assistant:
- $27.81 × 38 = $1,056.78 per week (rounded to $1,056.80 in the award)
- $1,056.80 × 52 = $54,953.60 per year
This assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For part-time employees, use the agreed weekly hours. The hourly conversion tool on this site can help you switch between hourly, weekly, and annual figures.
Fortnightly and Weekly Pay Periods
Most pharmacy employees are paid weekly or fortnightly. The award allows the employer to choose the pay period. A fortnightly pay is simply the weekly rate multiplied by two. For a level 1 pharmacy assistant, that is $2,113.60 gross per fortnight. Knowing your fortnightly amount helps with budgeting and comparing to salary offers that are quoted annually.
Casual Loading and Penalty Rates
Casual pharmacy assistants receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate for all ordinary hours. This is in lieu of paid leave entitlements. For a level 1 casual, the rate becomes $34.76 per hour ($27.81 × 1.25). The casual loading page explains how this works across different awards.
Penalty rates apply for evening, Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday work. For example, morning work (7am to 8am) Monday to Friday attracts a 50% loading on the base rate. The award tables show specific penalty rates for each classification. Overtime is paid at 150% for the first two hours and 200% thereafter.
Superannuation and Tax on Your Pharmacy Assistant Salary
Superannuation is paid on top of your gross salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a level 1 pharmacy assistant earning $54,953.60, the employer must contribute an additional $6,594.43 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra benefit.
Tax is calculated using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income over $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low income). For a level 1 pharmacy assistant, the estimated tax and Medicare is about $8,150, leaving take-home pay of roughly $46,800 per year. Use the take-home pay calculator for a personalised estimate.
Comparing to National Minimum Wage and Average Earnings
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A pharmacy assistant level 1 is paid above this minimum. The casual National Minimum Wage is $33.05 per hour including 25% loading.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, average weekly earnings for full-time adult employees (May 2026) are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 annually. A pharmacy assistant level 4 at $30.66 per hour earns $60,585 annually, which is below the national average. However, many experienced pharmacy assistants and pharmacists earn significantly more.
Using the Timesheet and Pay Guides
Our the timesheet tool lets you enter your hourly rate and see the annual, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly amounts. You can check the box to add 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. The pay guides page links to official Fair Work Ombudsman summaries for various awards, including the Pharmacy Industry Award.
For more detailed reference tables, including penalty rates and allowances, see our reference tables. If you want to understand how salary packaging affects your pay, visit super and packaging.
Summary
A pharmacy assistant salary depends on your classification level, hours worked, and whether you are casual or permanent. The award sets clear minimums, and many employers offer above-award rates. Always check your pay against the award to ensure you are receiving the correct entitlements. Use the tools on this site to convert your hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, or weekly figures, and to estimate tax and super.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.