Key takeaways
- Adult crew: $27.81 an hour, $34.76 casual, Monday to Friday before 10pm.
- Saturday and Sunday pay the same at Level 1: $41.72 an hour for a casual.
- Juniors get a percentage of the adult rate: $13.90 casual under 16, $17.39 at 16 and $20.86 at 17.
- From 1 December 2026, 18, 19 and 20 year olds with more than 6 months' service step up.
- Full-time crew keep $900.80 a week after $156 of tax.
McDonald's does not publish a pay table. These are the minimum rates under the Fast Food Industry Award 2020 [MA000003], from the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide published 24 June 2026. Your employer can pay more, never less. Tax: ATO Schedule 1 weekly table, resident, tax-free threshold claimed.
McDonald's pay rates 2026-27 by level
The award does not use McDonald's job titles. It sets the level by what you do: serving, cooking and cleaning is Level 1, training or supervising crew is Level 2, and being in charge of the restaurant is Level 3. Adult rates for Monday to Friday before 10pm:
| Award level | Hourly | Casual hourly | 38-hour week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.80 |
| Level 2 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 |
| Level 3, in charge of 1 or no persons | $29.91 | $37.39 | $1,136.40 |
| Level 3, in charge of 2 or more persons | $30.27 | $37.84 | $1,150.40 |
The casual rate includes the 25% casual loading. Casuals must be paid for at least 3 consecutive hours each day they work. The Fast Food Award pay rates guide has overtime, allowances and the full level definitions.
McDonald's weekend, late night and public holiday rates
Adult rates in 2026-27 at Level 1 and Level 2 (training or supervising crew):
| When you work | Level 1 | Level 1 casual | Level 2 | Level 2 casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | $34.76 | $41.72 | $36.81 | $44.18 |
| Sunday | $34.76 | $41.72 | $44.18 | $51.54 |
| Public holiday | $62.57 | $69.53 | $66.26 | $73.63 |
| Monday to Friday, 10pm to midnight | $30.59 | $37.54 | $32.40 | $39.76 |
| Monday to Friday, midnight to 6am | $31.98 | $38.93 | $33.87 | $41.23 |
Sunday is not double time. Level 1 is paid 125% on both weekend days ($41.72 for a casual), while Levels 2 and 3 get 150% on Sunday. To work out the tax on a run of weekend and night shifts, use the casual pay calculator.
McDonald's junior pay rates
Crew under 21 are paid a percentage of the adult rate for their level. These are Level 1 rates for 2026-27:
| Age | % of adult | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 40% | $11.12 | $13.90 |
| 16 | 50% | $13.91 | $17.39 |
| 17 | 60% | $16.69 | $20.86 |
| 18 | 70% | $19.47 | $24.34 |
| 19 | 80% | $22.25 | $27.81 |
| 20 | 90% | $25.03 | $31.29 |
From 1 December 2026, the Fair Work Commission's junior rates decision lifts workers aged 18 to 20 who have been employed more than 6 months. The steps continue each July and December until July 2029. Level 1 rates from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 December 2026:
| Age | % of adult | Hourly | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18, employed more than 6 months | 75% | $20.86 | $26.08 |
| 19, employed more than 6 months | 85% | $23.64 | $29.55 |
| 20, employed more than 6 months | 95% | $26.42 | $33.03 |
We will update this page when the Fair Work Ombudsman republishes the pay guide for the December step.
How much a McDonald's pay leaves after tax
Tax is withheld each pay with the ATO weekly tax table, assuming you claim the tax-free threshold. A weekly pay of $364 or less has nothing withheld.
| Week | Gross | Tax withheld | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, full-time, 38 hours | $1,056.80 | $156 | $900.80 |
| Casual, 20 weekday hours | $695.20 | $64 | $631.20 |
| Casual, 8 hours Saturday and 8 hours Sunday | $667.52 | $59 | $608.52 |
| 15 year old casual, 12 weekday hours | $166.80 | $0 | $166.80 |
| 16 year old casual, 12 weekday hours | $208.68 | $0 | $208.68 |
Over a year, full-time Level 1 crew earn $54,953.60 and pay $7,929.46 in tax and Medicare levy. To run any salary, use the PAYG calculator. If McDonald's is your second job, the second job tax calculator shows the higher withholding.
Enter your hourly rate and hours to see weekly, fortnightly and yearly pay after tax.
Open the take-home pay calculatorHow McDonald's pay is set
McDonald's crew used to be paid under the McDonald's Australia Enterprise Agreement 2013. The Fair Work Commission terminated that agreement in 2019 ([2019] FWCA 8563), and since then the Fast Food Award has set the minimum. The Commission's agreements register lists no approved McDonald's agreement in the fast food industry as at 19 October 2026.
That may change. In 2025 the Commission authorised supported bargaining for McDonald's franchisees in South Australia, and in July 2026 the Full Federal Court dismissed the franchisees' challenge. The SDA, the union in the case, says national bargaining with McDonald's has begun for corporate and franchisee restaurants. Until an agreement is made and approved, the award rates above apply.
Your employer is whoever runs your restaurant: McDonald's Australia or a franchisee. Either can pay above the award, and your payslip shows your rate. If it is below the figures on this page, the Fair Work Ombudsman can help.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Maccas pay per hour in 2026?
How much does McDonald's pay a 15 year old?
How much does McDonald's pay a 16 year old?
Does McDonald's pay more on Sundays?
Is there a McDonald's enterprise agreement?
Does McDonald's pay above the award?
Sources
The McDonald's sources below were retrieved on 19 October 2026.
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Fast Food Industry Award pay guide (MA000003, published 24 June 2026). Every rate on this page.
- Fair Work Commission: Fast Food Industry Award 2020, clause 15 junior rates and the junior steps in determination PR813654.
- Fair Work Commission: [2022] FWCA 1740, which records the termination of the McDonald's Australia Enterprise Agreement 2013 in [2019] FWCA 8563, and the agreements register for the fast food industry.
- SDA: media release, 21 July 2026 (Ardeen Pty Ltd v SDA [2026] FCAFC 93 and the start of national bargaining).
- ATO: Schedule 1, statement of formulas for calculating amounts to be withheld (the withholding figures).
Related resources
Fast Food Award Pay Calculator
Price your shifts, penalties included, and the tax on them
Open →Fast Food Award Pay Rates
Every 2026-27 level, overtime and allowance
Open →Take-Home Pay Calculator
Your hourly rate and hours, after tax and super
Open →Casual Tax Calculator
Casual loading, weekend penalties and the tax on them
Open →PAYG Calculator
Tax on any salary, any pay cycle, 2026-27
Open →Tax Refund Calculator
What comes back when you lodge
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