Pharmacy assistant salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
Pharmacy assistant salary under the Pharmacy Industry Award ranges from index 50.7 to 55.9. See how award rates compare to the national line.
A full-time pharmacy assistant at award minimum earns between $54,954 and $60,585 a year, placing the salary index between 50.7 and 55.9, well below the national line of 100.
What is a pharmacy assistant salary?
A pharmacy assistant salary is the pay you receive for working in a pharmacy under the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020. This award covers pharmacy assistants, pharmacy students, pharmacy interns, and pharmacists. The keyword "pharmacy assistant salary" usually refers to the minimum rates set by the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission, which apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year.
Pharmacy assistants are classified into four levels based on the tasks and responsibility. Level 1 is the entry point, and Level 4 involves more complex duties such as dispensary support or supervisory work. The award also sets junior rates for pharmacy assistants under 21 years of age, but only for Levels 1 and 2.
The Pharmacy Industry Award 2020
The Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (MA000012) is the legal document that sets minimum wages, allowances, penalty rates, and conditions for pharmacy employees. The Fair Work Commission reviews the award each year through the Annual Wage Review. From 1 July 2026, award rates increased by 4.75%.
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide, the minimum weekly rates for full-time adult pharmacy assistants are:
- Level 1: $1,056.80 per week ($27.81 per hour)
- Level 2: $1,081.00 per week ($28.45 per hour)
- Level 3: $1,119.10 per week ($29.45 per hour)
- Level 4: $1,165.10 per week ($30.66 per hour)
These rates are for ordinary hours (38 per week). Penalty rates apply for work outside standard Monday-to-Friday daytime hours. For example, a Level 1 assistant working Saturday morning (7am to 8am) earns $41.72 per hour, and Sunday work pays $48.67 per hour. Public holiday work is $62.57 per hour.
Salary index for pharmacy assistants
The Salary Index compares a yearly gross salary to the national line of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The national line is set at index 100, which equals $108,352 a year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A pharmacy assistant salary sits well below that line.
Annualising the award minimums:
- Level 1: $1,056.80 × 52 = $54,953.60 → index 50.7
- Level 2: $1,081.00 × 52 = $56,212.00 → index 51.9
- Level 3: $1,119.10 × 52 = $58,193.20 → index 53.7
- Level 4: $1,165.10 × 52 = $60,585.20 → index 55.9
For context, the national minimum wage (adult) is $26.44 per hour, annualised to $52,255, which gives an index of 48.2. A pharmacy assistant at Level 1 is just above that. The Retail trade industry average index is 75.9, so pharmacy assistant pay is lower than the retail average, reflecting the award's specific classification structure.
Junior rates for pharmacy assistants
If you are under 21 and working as a pharmacy assistant at Level 1 or 2, your pay is a percentage of the adult rate. The award sets these percentages:
- Under 16 years: 45%
- 16 years: 50%
- 17 years: 60%
- 18 years: 70%
- 19 years: 80% (the award text shows 19 years but the percentage is not fully listed; the Fair Work Ombudsman guide confirms 80% for 19 years)
For example, a 17-year-old Level 1 assistant would earn 60% of $27.81 = $16.69 per hour. These junior rates are higher than the national minimum wage junior percentages, which shows the award can set different floors.
State and industry context
A pharmacy assistant salary does not vary by state under the award, because the Pharmacy Industry Award is a national instrument. However, the cost of living and average wages differ across Australia. The states section of Salary Index shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9 and the Australian Capital Territory 109.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A pharmacy assistant on the award minimum in Tasmania might find their pay goes further relative to local averages than one in the ACT.
Comparing to other industries, the Health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, which is much higher than a pharmacy assistant's index. That's because the industry average includes doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. Pharmacy assistants are at the lower end of the health care pay scale.
Take-home pay and super
What you actually take home depends on tax. For a resident using the tax-free threshold in 2026–27, the first $18,200 is tax-free. On a Level 1 salary of $54,954, the tax would be roughly:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on next $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on remaining $9,954 ($2,986)
- Total tax: $7,006
- Plus 2% Medicare levy: $1,099
- Take-home: about $46,849
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of your gross salary, so your employer contributes about $6,594 a year to your super fund. That is not part of your take-home pay but builds your retirement savings.
How to check your pharmacy assistant salary
If you are employed as a pharmacy assistant, your pay should match or exceed the award rate for your classification and age. You can use the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman to confirm your entitlements. The award also includes allowances for things like broken hill location ($47.90 per week) and annualised wage arrangements for Level 4 assistants.
Remember that the award is a minimum. Many pharmacy assistants receive above-award rates, especially in busy metropolitan pharmacies or with experience. The salary index gives you a way to see where your pay sits against the national line. If you are earning $60,000 as a Level 3 assistant, your index is about 55.4, still below the national average but above the award floor.
For more context on how different jobs compare, visit the topics section or read about how the index works.
Questions people ask
What is the average pharmacy assistant salary in Australia?
There is no single official average for pharmacy assistants, but the award minimums give a clear floor. A full-time adult pharmacy assistant at Level 1 earns at least $54,954 a year, while a Level 4 earns at least $60,585. Many pharmacy assistants are paid above the award, especially in retail chains or with experience. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a separate category for pharmacy assistants, so the best benchmark is the award rate.
How is a pharmacy assistant salary calculated?
Your pay depends on your classification level (1 to 4), age (junior rates apply under 21 for Levels 1 and 2), and any penalty rates for early morning, evening, Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, or overtime work. The award also allows annualised wage arrangements for Level 4 pharmacy assistants. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of your gross salary from 1 July 2026.
Do pharmacy assistants get superannuation?
Yes. Under the Pharmacy Industry Award and the Superannuation Guarantee, your employer must contribute at least 12% of your ordinary-time earnings into a super fund from 1 July 2026. This is on top of your salary. For a Level 1 pharmacy assistant earning $54,954, that adds about $6,594 a year to your super account.