What is the minimum hourly rate for a retail manager under the General Retail Industry Award?

The award sets minimum rates for eight classification levels. A retail manager typically falls under Level 7 ($32.67/h) or Level 8 ($33.99/h) depending on responsibilities. These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. An employer must pay at least the rate for the classification that best matches the work performed.

Can a retail manager be paid less than the award rate if they are on a salary?

No. Even if a retail manager is paid an annual salary, it must be enough to cover the award minimum hourly rate for all ordinary hours and any penalty rates or overtime. The Fair Work Ombudsman recommends using the Pay and Conditions Tool to check whether a salary meets the award minimum.

Does the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour apply to retail managers?

No. The national minimum wage applies only to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most retail managers are covered by the General Retail Industry Award, which sets higher minimum rates. The award rate is the legal floor, not the national minimum.

Retail Manager Salary: Award Minimums and How to Check Your Pay

Under the General Retail Industry Award, a retail manager at Level 8 must be paid at least $33.99 per hour, plus 12% superannuation.

Understanding the retail manager salary floor

If you are a retail manager or employ one, knowing the legal minimum pay is essential. The term retail manager salary can mean different things: the award minimum, a negotiated figure, or a survey average. This guide focuses on the legal floor set by the General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004) and how it compares with other benchmarks.

The award minimum for retail managers

The Fair Work Commission’s General Retail Industry Award covers most retail employees, including managers. The award has eight classification levels. A retail manager is usually classified at Level 7 or Level 8, depending on the scope of their duties. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rates are:

Level 7: $32.67 per hour ($1,241.40 per week for full-time)
Level 8: $33.99 per hour ($1,291.80 per week for full-time)

These rates are before tax. On top, the employer must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% of ordinary time earnings. That means the total minimum employment cost for a Level 8 retail manager is about $38.07 per hour including super.

How the award rate compares with the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). However, this only applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Because most retail managers are award-covered, the award rate is the relevant floor. The award rates are higher than the national minimum, so a retail manager cannot be paid less than the award rate even if it is above the national figure.

Award rates vs. survey averages and negotiated salaries

Survey averages from the ABS reports that full-time adult ordinary-time ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). That figure is an average across all industries, not a minimum. A retail manager salary negotiated individually may be higher than the award rate, but it cannot be lower. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates if they pass the better-off overall test.

How to check your retail manager salary

To check whether your pay meets the legal minimum:

Identify your correct classification under the award. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool or refer to the classification definitions in the award.
Compare your hourly rate (or equivalent hourly rate if salaried) to the award minimum for that level.
Remember that casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate.
Ensure your salary covers all award entitlements, including penalty rates for evening, Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday work.

If your pay is below the award minimum, you may be underpaid. The Fair Work Ombudsman can help.

What about junior retail managers?

Junior rates apply only to retail employee levels 1, 2, and 3. A junior manager at Level 1, 2, or 3 would be paid a percentage of the adult rate based on age. For example, a 19-year-old at Level 1 gets 80% of $27.81/h = $22.25/h. But most managers are adults and fall into Level 4 or above, where junior rates do not apply.

Internal resources

The role of enterprise agreements

Some retail businesses operate under an enterprise agreement that may set different pay rates. An agreement can provide higher pay than the award, but it must pass the better-off overall test. If you are covered by an agreement, check that document for your minimum rate.

Superannuation and tax

Super guarantee is 12% on ordinary time earnings. This is an employer cost on top of the salary. For a Level 8 retail manager earning $33.99/h, the super contribution is $4.08/h. Tax is withheld by the employer under PAYG. The ATO provides tax tables for 2026-27.

Summary

The legal minimum retail manager salary under the General Retail Industry Award is $33.99 per hour (Level 8) or $32.67 per hour (Level 7). This is higher than the national minimum wage. Actual pay may be higher due to enterprise agreements or individual negotiation. Always check your classification and award to ensure compliance.