What is the sommelier salary under the Hospitality Award?

Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, a sommelier is typically classified at Level 4 (Food and beverage attendant tradesperson). The minimum hourly rate from 1 July 2026 is $29.45, giving a weekly rate of $1,119.10 for 38 ordinary hours. Annual salary is $29.45 × 38 × 52 = $58,193.20 before tax and super.

How does casual loading affect sommelier pay?

Casual sommeliers receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For a Level 4 sommelier, the casual rate is $29.45 × 1.25 = $36.81 per hour. Annual casual pay (assuming 38 hours per week) would be $36.81 × 38 × 52 = $72,741.50. The loading compensates for lack of paid leave.

How is super calculated for sommeliers?

Superannuation is paid on top of ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026). For a full-time sommelier earning $58,193.20, the employer contributes $6,983.18 per year, provided the employee's earnings are below the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Super is not deducted from the hourly rate.

Sommelier salary: Award rates vs the National Minimum Wage in 2026

A full-time sommelier (Level 4) earns $29.45 per hour, or $58,193 annually based on 38 hours per week, plus 12% super on top.

Sommelier salary: Award rates vs the National Minimum Wage

If you're working as a sommelier or considering the role, understanding your minimum pay is essential. The sommelier salary is not set by a single figure – it depends on whether you are covered by an award, your classification level, and your employment type. This article compares the National Minimum Wage with the award rate for sommeliers, explains how to calculate annual pay, and covers casual loading and superannuation.

The National Minimum Wage and award rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 ordinary hours. This rate applies to award/agreement-free employees. However, most sommeliers are covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020.

Under the award, a sommelier is typically classified as a Level 4 employee – Food and beverage attendant (tradesperson) grade 4. The minimum hourly rate for Level 4 is $29.45, with a weekly rate of $1,119.10. This is $3.01 per hour more than the National Minimum Wage.

Why the difference matters

The award rate reflects the specialised skills and knowledge required for a sommelier – wine selection, food pairing, cellar management, and customer service. If your employer pays only the National Minimum Wage, they may be underpaying you if the award applies. Always check your classification in the award or use the pay guides to confirm.

How to calculate annual salary from hourly rate

The formula is straightforward: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. We assume a standard full-time week of 38 ordinary hours (the base under the award and the National Employment Standards).

National Minimum Wage: $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,245.44 per year
Sommelier (Level 4): $29.45 × 38 × 52 = $58,193.20 per year

You can also work out the fortnightly pay: multiply the weekly rate by 2. For the sommelier, that's $1,119.10 × 2 = $2,238.20 per fortnight before tax.

Use the timesheet to convert any hourly rate to annual, weekly, and fortnightly figures. Just type the base hourly rate – do not include casual loading in that figure.

Casual loading for sommeliers

Casual employees under the award receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate. For a casual sommelier:

Base rate: $29.45
Casual loading: 25% = $7.36
Casual hourly rate: $29.45 × 1.25 = $36.81

Annual casual pay (assuming 38 hours per week): $36.81 × 38 × 52 = $72,741.50.

Remember, the loading compensates for not receiving paid leave. If you are a casual employee, the casual loading page explains more.

Superannuation on top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee at 12% of ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026) on top of your salary, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year.

For a full-time sommelier:

Annual ordinary earnings: $58,193.20
Super contribution: $58,193.20 × 12% = $6,983.18
Total package: $65,176.38

Super is not deducted from your hourly rate – it's paid in addition. See super and packaging for details.

Tax and take-home pay

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (tax-free threshold up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, etc.) and the Medicare levy of 2%, a full-time sommelier earning $58,193.20 would pay approximately $9,826 in tax and $1,164 in Medicare levy (based on single thresholds). That leaves a take-home pay of about $47,203 per year, or $3,934 per month. Use the take-home pay calculator for a precise estimate.

Using the timesheet and reference tables

Our timesheet lets you enter any base hourly rate and see annual, weekly, and fortnightly amounts. A checkbox adds 25% casual loading – never enter a rate that already includes loading. For award-specific rates, refer to the reference tables or pay guides.

Summary

The sommelier salary under the Hospitality Award is $29.45 per hour, well above the National Minimum Wage of $26.44. Annual pay for a full-time sommelier is $58,193.20, with super of $6,983.18 on top. Casual sommeliers earn $36.81 per hour including loading. Always check your award classification and use the job pay guide to ensure you're paid correctly.