Last updated: 9 November 2026
Key Takeaways
- From 1 July 2026, a registered pharmacist earns at least $41.74 an hour (full-time or part-time) or $52.18 an hour as a casual under the Pharmacy Industry Award.
- Full-time and part-time registered pharmacists earn at least $52.18 an hour on Saturdays, $62.61 on Sundays and $93.92 on public holidays.
- Pharmacist award rates rose twice in 2026: a pay equity increase and the 4.75% Annual Wage Review rise.
- Award rates are minimums. Indeed lists an average pharmacist pay of $59.75 an hour (October 2026).
- The award mainly covers community pharmacy. Hospital pharmacists are paid under state or employer agreements.
Introduction
Many pharmacists want to know one simple thing: what is the pharmacist hourly rate in Australia? The answer depends on your level, the day and time you work, and whether you are permanent or casual. This guide explains pharmacist pay in Australia in hourly terms for 2026-27, using the Pharmacy Industry Award rates.
Looking for demand, visas, roles or registration steps? Read our main guide: Is pharmacy a good career in Australia in 2026-27.
What Is the Pharmacy Industry Award?
The Pharmacy Industry Award sets the minimum pay and conditions for pharmacists, interns and other staff in community pharmacy. It covers pay rates, penalty rates, casual loading and allowances. Employers cannot pay less than the award, but they can pay more.
Pharmacist rates rose twice in 2026. The first rise is part of the pharmacist pay equity correction, which is phased in over three years. The second is the 4.75% increase from the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review, which applies from 1 July 2026. The last phase of the pay equity correction is due from 30 June 2027, so check Fair Work for new rates next year.
Pharmacist Hourly Rates in Australia (2026-27)
The table shows award minimum rates for a 38-hour week, from 1 July 2026. Part-time pharmacists get the same hourly rate as full-time pharmacists. Casual pharmacists get a 25% loading on top.
| Pharmacy level | Minimum per week | Full-time / part-time per hour | Casual per hour (+25%) | About per year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intern, first half of training | $1,291.50 | $33.99 | $42.49 | $67,158 |
| Intern, second half of training | $1,335.50 | $35.14 | $43.93 | $69,446 |
| Registered pharmacist | $1,586.30 | $41.74 | $52.18 | $82,488 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $1,737.40 | $45.72 | $57.15 | $90,345 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $1,778.40 | $46.80 | $58.50 | $92,477 |
| Pharmacist manager | $1,981.60 | $52.15 | $65.19 | $103,043 |
Good to know:
- Employers also pay 12% superannuation on top of these rates.
- These are minimums. Many employers pay more, especially for experienced pharmacists and managers.
- Your level depends on your experience and duties, so check your contract and payslip.
Weekend and Public Holiday Pay for Pharmacists
Pharmacies open late and on weekends, so penalty rates matter. These are the award rates for full-time and part-time pharmacists.
| Pharmacy level | Mon–Fri ordinary hours | Saturday (8am–6pm) | Sunday (7am–9pm) | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered pharmacist | $41.74 | $52.18 | $62.61 | $93.92 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $45.72 | $57.15 | $68.58 | $102.87 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $46.80 | $58.50 | $70.20 | $105.30 |
| Pharmacist manager | $52.15 | $65.19 | $78.23 | $117.34 |
Evening and early-morning shifts have their own rates, so check the award for your exact hours.
Casual vs Full-Time Pharmacist Pay
Casual pharmacists earn more per hour because of the 25% loading. The loading is there because casual staff do not get paid annual leave or paid personal leave, and their shifts are not guaranteed.
| Pharmacy level | Mon–Fri ordinary hours | Saturday (8am–6pm) | Sunday (7am–9pm) | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered pharmacist | $52.18 | $52.18 | $73.05 | $104.35 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $57.15 | $57.15 | $80.01 | $114.30 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $58.50 | $58.50 | $81.90 | $117.00 |
| Pharmacist manager | $65.19 | $65.19 | $91.26 | $130.38 |
- Casual example: a casual registered pharmacist earns at least $52.18 an hour, or about $1,983 for a 38-hour week.
- Full-time example: a full-time registered pharmacist earns at least $1,586.30 a week but gets 4 weeks of paid annual leave, 10 days of paid personal or carer's leave a year and paid public holidays.
- Best fit: casual work suits locums and pharmacists who want flexible hours. Permanent work suits those who want steady income and paid leave.
What Do Employers Actually Pay Per Hour?
Award rates are the floor. Indeed lists an average pharmacist pay of $59.75 an hour in Australia, with a range of $45.28 to $78.85 an hour, based on about 1,300 salaries from job postings over the past 36 months (updated 29 October 2026). That is well above the $41.74 award minimum for a registered pharmacist.
The Indeed figures come from past job ads, so use them as a guide and not as a guaranteed rate. Offers vary with experience, hours and employer.
Hospital pharmacists: they are paid under state agreements, not the Pharmacy Industry Award. For example, part-time hospital ads in 2026 list hourly rates of $42.23 to $62.50 (NSW Health) and $39.87 to $58.60 (Queensland Health).
What Does a Pharmacist Hourly Rate Mean After Tax?
The table shows an estimate of take-home pay at award minimum rates for a full-time Australian resident for tax purposes in 2026-27. It uses ATO resident tax rates and the 2% Medicare levy.
| Pharmacy level | Gross per year | Tax and Medicare levy | Take-home per year | Take-home per week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intern, first half of training | $67,158 | $12,011 | $55,147 | $1,061 |
| Intern, second half of training | $69,446 | $12,743 | $56,703 | $1,090 |
| Registered pharmacist | $82,488 | $16,916 | $65,572 | $1,261 |
| Experienced pharmacist | $90,345 | $19,430 | $70,915 | $1,364 |
| Pharmacist in charge | $92,477 | $20,113 | $72,364 | $1,392 |
| Pharmacist manager | $103,043 | $23,494 | $79,549 | $1,530 |
Note: these are estimates. They do not include HELP repayments, private health insurance, salary packaging or offsets. Non-residents for tax purposes pay different rates.
How to Check You Are Paid the Right Award Rate
- Check your level: make sure your contract and payslip show the right classification for your experience and duties.
- Check the day and time: Saturday, Sunday and public holiday hours should show the higher penalty rate.
- Check casual loading: casual payslips should show the 25% loading.
- Check superannuation: employers should pay 12% on top of your ordinary earnings.
- Ask for help: if the numbers look wrong, ask your employer first. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Final Words
Pharmacist pay in Australia is protected by award minimums, and many employers pay above them. From 1 July 2026, a registered pharmacist earns at least $41.74 an hour, or $52.18 as a casual, with higher rates on weekends and public holidays. Know your level, check your payslip and compare offers on the full package.
If you are an overseas pharmacist, you need to clear the OPRA exam and register with Ahpra before you can start working as a pharmacist.
FAQs
1. What is the hourly rate for a pharmacist in Australia?
Under the Pharmacy Industry Award, a registered pharmacist earns at least $41.74 an hour for full-time and part-time work, and $52.18 an hour as a casual. Many employers pay more. Indeed lists an average of $59.75 an hour (October 2026).
2. What is the casual pharmacist rate in Australia?
The award casual rate for a registered pharmacist is $52.18 an hour on weekdays, which includes the 25% casual loading. Casual rates are $62.61 an hour on Saturdays, $73.05 on Sundays and $104.35 on public holidays.
3. How much do pharmacists earn on Sundays and public holidays?
A full-time or part-time registered pharmacist earns at least $62.61 an hour on Sundays (7am to 9pm) and $93.92 an hour on public holidays under the award.
4. Does the Pharmacy Industry Award cover hospital pharmacists?
No. The award mainly covers community pharmacy. Hospital pharmacists are paid under state or employer agreements.
5. Are award rates the highest a pharmacist can earn?
No. Award rates are the minimum. Employers can pay more, and many do, especially for experienced pharmacists and managers.
6. How much is a pharmacist's take-home pay per week?
A registered pharmacist on the award minimum of $82,488 a year takes home about $65,572 a year, or about $1,261 a week, after income tax and the Medicare levy for 2026-27. This does not include HELP repayments or private health insurance. Employers also pay 12% superannuation on top.
