Fitness Award pay guide 2026/2027
A simple, practical guide for gyms, studios and fitness employers
Updated • FY2026/27 rates — effective the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026
Written by
Steve Harris
Summarise with AI
This guide provides general information about the Fitness Industry Award 2020 [MA000094] and related Australian workplace laws as at the date of publication.
It does not constitute legal, financial, payroll or employment advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Pay rates, penalty rates and allowance amounts under modern awards change periodically, particularly following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review. This guide includes indicative minimum figures effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Note that under this award casual weekend/public-holiday rates work differently from full-time/part-time (see the penalty section). Employers must always check the current Fair Work pay guide before setting or paying wages.
The Fitness Award covers fitness centres and gyms. Sporting and recreation clubs may fall under the Registered & Licensed Clubs Award or another award. Always confirm award coverage (e.g. using Fair Work’s Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT)).
If you need award-specific guidance, see:
Looking for MA000094?
This is it. MA000094 is the official Fair Work code for the Fitness Industry Award 2020. This guide covers its pay rates, classifications, penalties and compliance for 2026/27.
View official MA000094 on Fair Work →Award rate calculator
See how RosterElf interprets the Fitness Award
This is an educational example showing how the Fitness Award penalty rates work. It demonstrates how RosterElf automatically calculates correct pay rates based on classification level, employment type, and shift times.
Award penalty rates
Example weekly cost (38 hours)
Example only - not for payroll use
This is a demonstration of how RosterElf calculates award-compliant rates.
The actual cost for your employees will depend on:
- Their specific classification level and employment type
- Actual hours worked and shift times
- Any additional allowances, overtime, or enterprise agreement provisions
- Current award rates (which change annually in July)
For accurate payroll calculations, always:
- Verify current rates with the official Fair Work pay guide
- Confirm your employees' correct award coverage and classification
- Use award interpretation software or consult a payroll professional
- Review your specific enterprise agreement (if applicable)
Do not rely on this example for actual wage payments.
Stop calculating penalty rates manually
Let RosterElf handle award compliance automatically
Manual award calculations are time-consuming and error-prone. One mistake can lead to underpayments, compliance issues, and Fair Work penalties. RosterElf's award interpretation engine does the work for you.
How RosterElf automates award calculations
Create pay templates
Create pay templates for each classification level with award-compliant base rates and penalty multipliers. RosterElf applies the correct template to each shift automatically.
Award interpretation →Define rate rules
Configure when different penalty rates apply (evenings, weekends, public holidays). The system detects which rate to use based on shift times and days.
Penalty rates guide →Auto-apply to shifts
Every rostered shift calculates the correct pay rate based on the employee's classification, employment type, and shift timing. No manual work required.
Payroll integration →Quick casual pay rates reference 2026/27
Casual rates for ordinary weekday hours, generated from the current Fair Work pay guide:
FY2026/27 rates are in effect
All modern award rates rose 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, and the national minimum wage is now $26.44/hr. The rates below and in the calculator reflect the current Fair Work pay guide.
Casual hourly rates 2026/27 (ordinary weekday hours)
| Level | Example roles | Casual hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level / reception / general assistant | $32.18 |
| Level 2 | Gym instructor / customer service | $33.05 |
| Level 3 | Qualified fitness instructor | $34.96 |
| Level 3A | Experienced fitness instructor | $36.81 |
| Level 4 | Advanced instructor / personal trainer | $38.33 |
| Level 4A | Senior instructor / coordinator | $40.16 |
| Level 5 | Supervisor / program coordinator | $42.34 |
| Level 6 | Manager (stream B) | $41.98 |
| Level 7 | Senior manager (stream B) | $43.61 |
Weekend & public holiday rates differ by employment type
For full-time and part-time staff: Saturday +25%, Sunday +50%, public holidays +150%. Casual employees, however, are paid a single flat rate (about 130% of the base) for ordinary hours worked on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday under this award — see the penalty section. Use the calculator to compare by employment type.
Quick summary for time-poor employers
Important: Casual weekend/public-holiday pay under the Fitness Award is not the same as the full-time/part-time penalty — casuals are paid a flat loaded rate for ordinary hours on those days (see the penalty section). Always confirm with PACT for public-holiday work.
If you only skim one section, make it this one:
- The Fitness Industry Award 2020 [MA000094] covers gyms and fitness centres, with employees classified Levels 1–7 (including 3A and 4A).
- Minimums are reviewed each July. The FY2026/27 pay guide took effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, lifting all rates by 4.75%.
- Example 2026/27 adult minimum pay:
- Level 1: full-time/part-time $25.74/hr, casual $32.18/hr.
- Level 3 (qualified instructor): full-time/part-time $27.97/hr, casual $34.96/hr.
- Full-time/part-time penalties: Saturday +25%, Sunday +50%, public holidays +150%.
- Casual weekend/PH ordinary hours are a flat ~130% of the base.
- Get level, employment type and shift type right for every employee.
Bottom line: with level steps, an unusual casual weekend structure and broken shifts, manual calculation is error-prone — check your underpayment risk. Award-aware rostering software with award interpretation keeps it correct automatically. See our guide on how to roster gym and fitness staff.
Who the award covers (and who it doesn't)
The Fitness Industry Award covers fitness centres, gyms and health clubs — reception and customer-service staff, gym and group-fitness instructors, personal trainers, and supervisory/management roles. Employees are classified Levels 1–7 (including 3A and 4A) by skill and responsibility.
Important — who’s covered by other awards: sporting and recreation clubs may fall under the Registered & Licensed Clubs Award; council-run leisure centres may fall under the Local Government Award. Confirm coverage with Fair Work’s PACT tool before applying rates.
2026/27 pay rates overview: what you must pay
A snapshot of the current FY2026/27 rates, generated from the same data that powers the calculator above.
What changed from 2025/26
The FY2026/27 Annual Wage Review lifted all modern award minimum rates by 4.75%. For this award, for example: Level 1 is now $25.74/hr and Level 3 (qualified instructor) is $27.97/hr (full-time/part-time). Penalty and casual rates rose proportionally. Always confirm against the current pay guide.
Adult – full-time & part-time
Ordinary weekday rates for fitness employees Levels 1–7:
| Level | Example roles | Weekly pay | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level / reception / general assistant | $978.10 | $25.74 |
| Level 2 | Gym instructor / customer service | $1,004.90 | $26.44 |
| Level 3 | Qualified fitness instructor | $1,062.90 | $27.97 |
| Level 3A | Experienced fitness instructor | $1,119.10 | $29.45 |
| Level 4 | Advanced instructor / personal trainer | $1,165.10 | $30.66 |
| Level 4A | Senior instructor / coordinator | $1,221.10 | $32.13 |
| Level 5 | Supervisor / program coordinator | $1,287.20 | $33.87 |
| Level 6 | Manager (stream B) | $1,276.00 | $33.58 |
| Level 7 | Senior manager (stream B) | $1,325.70 | $34.89 |
Adult rates. Junior rates apply for employees under 20. Levels 6–7 are a separate management stream.
Adult – casual
Casuals receive the same base rate plus a 25% loading for ordinary weekday hours:
| Level | Example roles | Casual hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level / reception / general assistant | $32.18 |
| Level 2 | Gym instructor / customer service | $33.05 |
| Level 3 | Qualified fitness instructor | $34.96 |
| Level 3A | Experienced fitness instructor | $36.81 |
| Level 4 | Advanced instructor / personal trainer | $38.33 |
| Level 4A | Senior instructor / coordinator | $40.16 |
| Level 5 | Supervisor / program coordinator | $42.34 |
| Level 6 | Manager (stream B) | $41.98 |
| Level 7 | Senior manager (stream B) | $43.61 |
Casual weekday ordinary rate (base + 25% loading). Casual weekend/public-holiday ordinary hours are paid a flat ~130% of the base — use the calculator and see the penalty section.
How to classify your staff
Classification follows skills, qualifications and responsibility:
- Level 1–2 cover reception, customer service and basic gym-floor duties.
- Level 3 / 3A are qualified fitness instructors; Level 4 / 4A advanced instructors and personal trainers.
- Level 5 covers supervisors and program coordinators; Levels 6–7 are a management stream.
- Juniors (under 20) are paid a percentage of the adult rate.
Write each employee’s level and employment type into your payroll/rostering system. If unsure, confirm the right level.
Penalty rates (and the casual difference)
Penalties under the Fitness Award depend on employment type:
Full-time & part-time (on the ordinary rate):
- Saturday: 125%
- Sunday: 150%
- Public holiday: 250%
Casual: instead of the above, casuals are paid the 25% loading on ordinary weekday hours, and a single flat rate of about 130% of the base for ordinary hours worked on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday. This is an unusual feature of the Fitness Award — always confirm casual public-holiday work with PACT.
- Broken shifts, delayed meal breaks and overtime have their own rates.
The calculator above lets you compare full-time/part-time and casual rates by day. For overtime and broken shifts, use Fair Work’s PACT tool or award-interpreting software.
Stop calculating fitness penalties by hand
RosterElf's award interpretation engine applies Fitness Award weekend, public-holiday and casual rates automatically from each shift's times.
See award interpretationFull-time vs part-time vs casual
Full-time & part-time
- Full-time is around 38 hours per week, ongoing; part-time has a regular agreed pattern.
- Both receive paid annual and personal/carer’s leave (pro-rata for part-time) and other NES entitlements, plus standard Saturday/Sunday/public-holiday penalties.
Casual
- Paid a 25% casual loading on ordinary weekday hours instead of paid leave, with a minimum engagement per shift.
- For ordinary hours worked on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, casuals are paid a single flat rate (about 130% of the base) under this award — not the full-time/part-time penalty. Confirm casual public-holiday work with PACT.
Casuals working regular, ongoing hours may be eligible for casual conversion to permanent employment.
Allowances
Common allowances under this award include:
- Broken shift – about $18.07 per day (plus $2.15 for excess fares).
- First aid – about $3.40 per day.
- Leading hand / supervisor (Levels 1–4A) – from about $31.89 per week, by team size.
Exact amounts update each pay guide — see the Fair Work pay guide.
Step-by-step compliance plan
- Confirm the award applies (fitness centre/gym; not a sporting club or council leisure centre).
- Download the latest pay guide (FY2026/27).
- Classify each employee by level and age (for juniors).
- Set base rates and apply the correct weekend/public-holiday treatment by employment type, plus broken shifts and overtime.
- Use award-interpreting software so the full-time/part-time vs casual difference is handled automatically, and keep records for 7 years.
Final takeaways
- Levels 1–7 (with 3A/4A) cover reception, instructors, trainers and management.
- Full-time/part-time: Saturday +25%, Sunday +50%, public holidays +150%.
- Casual weekend/PH ordinary hours are a flat ~130% of base — an unusual feature; confirm PH with PACT.
- Broken shifts are common in fitness — don’t forget the allowance.
- Update every July and keep good records.
For official guidance, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Industries using this award
Explore rostering solutions for businesses covered by the Fitness Award
Run the Fitness Award on autopilot
RosterElf builds the award rules into your rosters, timesheets and payroll.
Award interpretation
Automatically applies weekend, public-holiday and casual rates from shift times.
Rostering software
Build award-aware rosters in minutes with live wage cost and compliance warnings.
Time & attendance
Capture exact start and finish times with a kiosk time clock and live attendance.
Payroll integration
Send award-interpreted timesheets straight to Xero, MYOB and other payroll systems.
Fitness Award knowledge base
Step-by-step help for applying the award inside RosterElf.
Related award rate guides
Explore other Australian Modern Award pay rate guides
Stop calculating the Fitness Award by hand
RosterElf applies Fitness Industry Award (MA000094) penalty, casual and public holiday rates automatically based on shift times.
Fitness Award FAQ
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The Fitness Industry Award 2020 (MA000094) covers fitness centres, gyms and health clubs — reception and customer-service staff, gym and group-fitness instructors, personal trainers, and supervisory/management roles. Employees are classified into Levels 1–7 (including 3A and 4A). Sporting clubs and council leisure centres may be covered by different awards.
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Levels 1–2 cover reception and basic gym-floor duties; Level 3/3A qualified fitness instructors; Level 4/4A advanced instructors and personal trainers; Level 5 supervisors and program coordinators; and Levels 6–7 a management stream. Classification follows duties and qualifications — review it when an employee’s role changes.
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Yes — employees under 20 are paid a percentage of the adult rate that increases with age, reaching the full adult rate at 20. Check the Fair Work pay guide for the junior percentages, and review them on each birthday.