Home / Pay guides / MA000065
Professional Employees Award pay rates 2026–27
The minimum hourly rates and penalty rates under the Professional Employees Award 2020 [MA000065], in force from 1 July 2026. The lowest adult rate is $33.71 an hour, or $42.14 for casuals.
Minimum hourly rates
Adult rates per hour. The casual rate includes the casual loading. Junior, apprentice and trainee rates are set separately in the award.
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Graduate professional—Pay point 1.1 (3 year degree) | $33.71 | $42.14 |
| Level 1 Graduate professional—Pay point 1.1 (4 or 5 year degree) | $34.57 | $43.21 |
| Level 1 Graduate professional—Pay point 1.2 | $35.15 | $43.94 |
| Level 1 Graduate professional—Pay point 1.3 | $36.62 | $45.78 |
| Level 1 Graduate professional—Pay point 1.4 | $38.47 | $48.09 |
| Level 2 Experienced professional/quality auditor/experienced medical research employee | $39.77 | $49.71 |
| Level 3 Professional/senior (lead) quality auditor/experienced medical research employee | $43.46 | $54.33 |
| Level 4 Professional/experienced medical research employee | $49.02 | $61.28 |
| Level 5 Experienced medical research employee | $59.05 | $73.81 |
Penalty rates and overtime
For adult day workers, as a percentage of the base rate unless shown otherwise. Dollar figures are per hour at Level 1 Graduate professional—Pay point 1.1 (3 year degree).
| When | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 125% · $42.14 | 150% · $50.57 |
| Public holiday | 150% · $50.57 | 175% · $58.99 |
Shiftworkers, juniors and apprentices can have different penalties, and some awards set more than one evening or night band (the lowest is shown). The award itself is the authority.
Source: the Fair Work Commission's published rates. Check them against the award or the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide.
Professional Employees Award: common questions
What is the minimum pay rate under the Professional Employees Award?
From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult classification, Level 1 Graduate professional—Pay point 1.1 (3 year degree), is $33.71 an hour for full-time and part-time employees and $42.14 an hour for casuals, which includes the casual loading. Higher classifications are paid more; the full table is on this page.
What is the public holiday rate under the Professional Employees Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 150% of their base rate for work on a public holiday, which is $50.57 an hour at Level 1 Graduate professional—Pay point 1.1 (3 year degree). Casuals are paid $58.99 an hour at the same level.
When do Professional Employees Award pay rates change?
The Fair Work Commission reviews minimum wages every year, and new rates usually apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. The rates on this page apply from 1 July 2026.
How do I check a payslip against the Professional Employees Award?
Upload the payslip to FairCheck's free payslip check. It reads the pay lines, confirms the award and classification with you, and shows whether the rates, penalties and super meet this award, with the reasoning for every line.