Woolworths salary in Australia

Woolworths is Australia's largest supermarket chain, employing well over 100,000 people across its network of supermarkets, Metro stores, distribution centres, and support offices. If you're thinking about working at Woolworths and want to understand the pay structure before you apply, this guide covers salary rates by position, minimum age requirements, and the key conditions you can expect.

For the full application process, see our Woolworths job application guide. For employee perspectives, read our Woolworths employee reviews. For interview preparation, check our Woolworths interview questions guide.

Minimum Age to Work at Woolworths

The minimum age to work at Woolworths in Australia is 14 years and 9 months — one of the lower minimum age thresholds among major employers, reflecting the Supermarket and Grocery Industry provisions under the General Retail Industry Award. In practice, many store managers prefer applicants aged 15 or 16 for rostering flexibility reasons, particularly in states like NSW, VIC, and QLD where working hour restrictions apply to very young employees.

At 18, employees move to adult rates. Full adult pay under the applicable Award or Enterprise Agreement represents a significant increase from the junior rate scale. Woolworths uses the Woolworths Group EBA (Enterprise Bargaining Agreement), which sets pay rates above the minimum Award across most positions.

Woolworths Salary by Position in 2026

Position	Hourly Rate (Approx)	Annual Equivalent (FT)
Team Member (casual, 18+)	$23.50 – $27.00	$46,000 – $53,000
Night Fill / Overnight	$27.00 – $31.00	$53,000 – $61,000
Deli / Bakery Operator	$24.00 – $28.00	$47,000 – $55,000
Checkout Supervisor	$27.00 – $32.00	$53,000 – $63,000
Department Manager	$33.00 – $42.00	$65,000 – $82,000
Assistant Store Manager	$42.00 – $55.00	$82,000 – $108,000
Store Manager	Salary	$100,000 – $160,000+
Distribution Centre Operator	$28.00 – $34.00	$55,000 – $67,000

Woolworths employees are typically covered by the Woolworths Group Enterprise Agreement rather than the base Retail Award, which generally provides rates above Award minimums. Weekend, public holiday, and overtime penalty rates apply and can significantly increase weekly earnings for employees who work these shifts.

How Woolworths Pay Compares

Woolworths and Coles pay broadly similar rates for comparable store-level positions, both benefiting from Enterprise Agreements that sit above the base Retail Award. Both pay above ALDI and IGA for most equivalent roles. The night fill loading and overnight shift allowances at Woolworths are among the better-paying casual hours in mainstream retail — many experienced workers specifically structure their availability around these shifts.

Weekend and Penalty Rates

Under the Woolworths EBA, Saturday work attracts a loading, Sunday work attracts a higher loading (typically 100 percent for permanent staff), and public holidays are paid at significantly elevated rates. For casual team members who are available across the weekend, these penalty rates can add substantially to effective weekly income. Overnight shift work also attracts shift allowances above base rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage at Woolworths Australia?

For adult casual team members, the effective hourly rate at Woolworths including casual loading sits at approximately $23.50 to $27.00 per hour, above the base Retail Award minimum. Specific rates are set by the Woolworths Group Enterprise Agreement.

Does Woolworths pay weekly or fortnightly?

Woolworths pays employees on a weekly basis — unusual in Australian retail where fortnightly is more common. This is a benefit for employees who prefer more frequent pay cycles.

Does Woolworths pay above Award rates?

Yes. Woolworths operates under a company-specific Enterprise Agreement that provides rates above the General Retail Industry Award minimum for most positions. This is a condition of the EBA negotiated between the company and the relevant unions.