What to check

• Look at your payslip for the hourly rate and the award.
• Piece rate pickers must still earn at least $32.18 an hour for the hours they work.
• Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator for your exact rate.

See our pay rates guide.

Minimum wage vs award rates

Most jobs in Australia are covered by an award, which sets the minimum pay for that industry and level. Hospitality, horticulture, cleaning, retail and construction all have their own awards. The national minimum wage is the lowest anyone can be paid, but your award rate is often higher. Both went up from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

What casual loading means

Most backpacker jobs are casual. Casual workers do not get paid annual leave or sick leave, so they get a casual loading on top of the base rate, usually 25%. That is why the casual rate for farm work is higher than the national minimum wage. If you are casual, check that your hourly rate includes the loading.

Piece rates on farms

Some farms pay by the bin, bucket or kilo instead of by the hour. This is called piece rate. Under the Horticulture Award, piece rate workers must still earn at least the minimum hourly rate for the hours they work. If you are picking slowly in your first week, the farm still has to top you up to the minimum. Keep your own record of the hours you work each day.

Weekend, night and public holiday rates

Many awards pay more for weekends, late nights and public holidays. Hospitality jobs in particular often pay penalty rates on Sundays and public holidays. Ask about this before you start, and check your payslip shows it.

Red flags to watch for

• Cash in hand with no payslip.
• An hourly rate below the award for your job.
• Being asked to work unpaid trial shifts for days.
• Pay taken out for accommodation or transport that you did not agree to in writing.
• No tax or super shown on your payslip.

How to check your pay

Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator to find your exact rate. Choose your award, your level and whether you are casual. Compare it to your payslip. If something is wrong, talk to your employer first. If it is not fixed, you can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free help. It does not affect your visa to ask about your pay.

All jobs posted on TAW must follow Australian pay rules. Browse jobs on TAW and use the free CV builder to apply faster.

Sources: Fair Work: horticulture pay · Fair Work Pay Calculator.