What award covers a warehouse supervisor?

Most warehouse supervisors in the storage and wholesale industry are covered by the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 (MA000084). However, the award does not explicitly list 'warehouse supervisor'. The correct classification depends on the specific duties, supervision level, and whether the role is more clerical or managerial. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to find the right award and classification.

Can a warehouse supervisor be paid less than the award rate?

No. If you are covered by a modern award, your employer must pay at least the minimum rate for your classification. Some awards have introductory rates for new employees, but these are temporary. Enterprise agreements can set different rates, but they must pass the 'better off overall' test. The national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) is a backstop for award-free employees.

Does the warehouse supervisor salary include superannuation?

No. The minimum rates in awards and the national minimum wage are before tax and before super. Your employer must pay an additional 12% super guarantee on top of your ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). This is not part of your take-home pay but goes into your super fund.

Warehouse Supervisor Salary: Legal Minimums and Award Rates in Australia

The Storage Services and Wholesale Award does not list a specific warehouse supervisor classification; the highest storeworker grade (Grade 4) pays $29.61 per hour as a minimum, but actual duties may place a supervisor under a different award or a higher classification.

Understanding the warehouse supervisor salary in Australia

If you are searching for a warehouse supervisor salary, the first step is to identify the correct legal pay floor. Unlike a generic job title, Australian workplace laws tie minimum pay to specific awards and classifications. This guide helps you check what you should be paid and how to verify it.

The legal minimum: award or national minimum wage

Most warehouse supervisors in the storage and wholesale industry are covered by the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 (MA000084). This award sets minimum hourly rates for storeworkers and wholesale employees. However, the award does not contain a classification called 'warehouse supervisor'. The closest roles are:

Storeworker Grade 3 – $28.77 per hour
Storeworker Grade 4 – $29.61 per hour

A supervisor who directs other workers and has higher responsibility may be classified at Grade 4 or even above, depending on the actual duties. If your role involves clerical or administrative supervision, you might fall under the Clerks – Private Sector Award instead. Always check the classification definitions in the award.

If no award covers you, the national minimum wage applies: $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour.

How to find your correct rate

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a free Pay and Conditions Tool that asks about your industry, duties, and employer to show the right award and pay rates. You can also download pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman website. For the Storage Services and Wholesale Award, the pay guide includes penalty rates for Saturday (150%), Sunday (200%), and public holidays (250%).

Superannuation is on top

All minimum rates mentioned are before tax and before super. Your employer must pay super guarantee of 12% (from 1 July 2026) on your ordinary time earnings. For a full-time storeworker Grade 4 earning $29.61 per hour, that means an extra $3.55 per hour into your super fund.

What about enterprise agreements?

Some warehouses have enterprise agreements that set different pay rates. These agreements must pass the 'better off overall test' – meaning you must be better off under the agreement than under the award. Check your employment contract or ask your employer if an enterprise agreement applies.

Practical check: comparing your hourly rate

If you are a warehouse supervisor earning, say, $32 per hour, compare it to the award minimum for your classification. If your duties match Storeworker Grade 4 ($29.61), you are above the legal minimum. But if you are doing higher-level supervisory work that should be classified above Grade 4, you may be underpaid. Use the Rate tables to see all award classifications.

When the national minimum wage is not enough

The national minimum wage ($26.44) is the absolute floor. But if an award covers you, the award rate is the legal minimum – even if it is higher than the national minimum. For example, Storeworker Grade 1 on commencement ($27.08) is already above the national minimum. Introductory rates (first 6 months) can be as low as $25.74, but only for new employees in some awards.

Juniors, apprentices, and supported wages

Not every worker must receive $26.44. Junior employees (under 21) can be paid a percentage of the adult rate. For award-free juniors, the percentages range from 36.8% (under 16) to 97.7% (20 years old). Apprentices and trainees have their own rates under the Miscellaneous Award. Supported wages apply to employees with a disability. Always check the specific rules.

Summary

A warehouse supervisor salary depends on the correct award classification. The Storage Services and Wholesale Award provides a minimum of $27.08 to $29.61 per hour for storeworkers, but a supervisor may be entitled to more. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's tools to confirm your classification. Remember that super is an extra 12% on top. For more detail, see our Guides on award interpretation and How the figures work.