Retail Award, explained for shift work.
General Retail Industry Award 2020 · Reviewed July 2026 by the MyGig compliance team
Retail businesses selling goods to the public: shop floors, checkouts, stockrooms, and retail supervision, from single stores to national chains.
Penalties and loadings to know
- Casual loading of 25% on the ordinary hourly rate
- Higher casual rates on Saturdays, higher again on Sundays
- Public holiday work attracts a substantial penalty rate
- Evening work after specified times attracts loadings
Roles typically covered
Current minimum rates
Entry-level adult casual: $34.76/hr as at 1 July 2026, from MyGig's award engine (the same data that prices every shift). Award rates change with every annual wage review (first full pay period on or after 1 July). For the full classification tables, use the official pay guide, or let MyGig apply them for you: every shift estimate uses current rates, penalties included, clause cited.
Retail Award FAQs
What is the minimum shift length for retail casuals?
The Retail Award sets a minimum engagement for casuals, typically 3 hours. Every MyGig retail shift respects award minimums automatically.
Do retail casuals get penalty rates on weekends?
Yes: casual rates step up on Saturdays and again on Sundays, and public holidays attract a substantial penalty. The exact multipliers are in the award and the shift total on MyGig shows the loaded pay before anyone commits.
Where do I check current retail pay rates?
The official Fair Work pay guide for MA000004 (linked on this page) is updated after each annual wage review. On MyGig, current rates are applied automatically to every shift estimate.
General information only, not legal advice. The award itself (General Retail Industry Award 2020, MA000004) and the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay tools are the authoritative sources: read the award. Back to all award guides or MyGig compliance & EOR.
Stop interpreting awards by hand.
MyGig employs your casual workers as EOR and applies this award automatically: rates, loadings, penalties, and super, with the clause cited.