2026 Warehouse Rates
A warehouse picker/packer costs $47.81–$52.73/hr ex-GST through EIR in 2026, depending on state and grade. That is the all-in number — wage, 12% super, workers' comp, payroll tax, casual loading, insurance and supervision, on one invoice. Every Storeworker grade is below with its rate.
Direct answer
An entry-level warehouse picker (Storeworker Grade 1) costs $47.81/hr ex-GST in Queensland and $50.81/hr ex-GST in South Australia at standard time. Add a forklift licence (Grade 2) and it is $48.78/hr QLD, $51.26/hr SA. A high-reach operator (Grade 3) is $50.18/hr QLD, $52.73/hr SA. Overtime at 1.5× runs $59.76–$65.91/hr; double time $76.83–$84.74/hr. These are EIR's published rack rates under the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020, not estimates — GST is charged on top.
The Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 grades warehouse work 1 to 4 by skill and ticket. Here is what each grade does and what it costs through EIR, ex-GST, Monday to Friday straight time.
| Grade | SA | QLD | 1.5× OT | 2× OT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storeworker Grade 1Entry-level picker / packer | $50.81 | $47.81 – $48.35 | $59.76 – $63.51 | $76.83 – $81.65 |
| Storeworker Grade 2Picker / packer with forklift (LF) licence | $51.26 | $48.78 | $60.99 – $64.08 | $78.40 – $82.38 |
| Storeworker Grade 3High-reach forklift operator | $52.73 | $50.18 | $62.73 – $65.91 | $80.64 – $84.74 |
| Storeworker Grade 4Experienced warehouse operative / leading hand | On application | $51.64 | $64.56 | $83.00 |
| Administration Officer Level 3Warehouse admin / despatch coordination | On application | $54.27 | $67.82 | $87.21 |
All rates ex-GST per hour. Standard = Monday–Friday straight time. Source: EIR published charge rates, 2026 wage review.
What they do: Order picking, packing, carton handling, receiving, despatch, stock movement, RF scanner work, general warehouse duties.
Tickets required: No ticket required. Site induction + PPE.
What they do: All Grade 1 duties plus counterbalance forklift operation, pallet movement, truck loading and unloading, racking replenishment.
Tickets required: LF (forklift) High Risk Work Licence.
What they do: High-reach and narrow-aisle forklift work, stock control, cycle counting, quality inspection, inwards goods verification.
Tickets required: LF licence + high-reach / narrow-aisle competency.
What they do: Leading hand duties, WMS and stock-systems work, despatch coordination, training and directing other storeworkers.
Tickets required: LF licence + demonstrated supervisory or stock-systems experience.
What they do: Despatch paperwork, inwards goods documentation, customer liaison, stock reporting, roster and timesheet administration. Most warehouse crews need one — it is easy to forget until the paperwork backs up.
Tickets required: No ticket required. WMS and office systems experience.
Two pickers on the same Award grade can land on different charge rates. These are the five things that actually shift the number.
SA rates run marginally above QLD because SA payroll tax is 4.95% against QLD's 4.75%, and ReturnToWorkSA premiums differ from WorkCover QLD. The underlying Award wage is identical in both states.
An LF licence moves a picker from Grade 1 to Grade 2 — roughly 45c to $1/hr on the charge rate. It is almost always worth it: a ticketed picker can be redeployed across more of your floor on the same shift.
Rates above are Monday–Friday straight time. Overtime at 1.5× runs $59.76–$65.91/hr; double time runs $76.83–$84.74/hr. Afternoon and night shift loadings apply on top where your site runs them.
Chilled and freezer environments carry a cold-work allowance under the Storage Services Award, which lifts the charge rate. Tell us the temperature band when you brief the role.
An ongoing roster on a known site prices better than one-off single-shift bookings, because recruitment and induction cost is amortised across more hours.
A warehouse picker/packer through EIR costs $47.81–$52.73/hr ex-GST at standard time in 2026, depending on state and grade. An entry-level Storeworker Grade 1 is $47.81/hr in QLD and $50.81/hr in SA. A Grade 2 with a forklift licence is $48.78/hr QLD and $51.26/hr SA. A Grade 3 high-reach operator is $50.18/hr QLD and $52.73/hr SA. Every rate is all-inclusive: base pay, 12% superannuation, workers' compensation, state payroll tax, casual loading, public liability and supervision. GST is charged on top.
In practice the roles overlap and all three sit under the same Award. A picker selects stock against an order, usually with an RF scanner or pick-to-voice headset. A packer consolidates picked stock into cartons or pallets, labels and prepares it for despatch. 'Storeworker' is the classification name the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 uses to cover both, graded 1 to 4 by skill and ticket. When you book through EIR you are booking a storeworker grade — we match the person to whichever end of the pick/pack process you need.
Yes, but less than most people expect. A forklift-licenced picker moves from Storeworker Grade 1 to Grade 2, which is a difference of about 45c/hr in SA and 97c/hr in QLD. Most warehouse managers find that worthwhile because a ticketed picker can move between floor picking, replenishment and loading on the same shift instead of waiting on someone else's forklift.
The hourly charge rate covers the worker's Award wage, 12% superannuation, workers' compensation premium (ReturnToWorkSA or WorkCover QLD), state payroll tax, casual loading, annual and personal leave entitlements, $20M public liability insurance, PPE, and EIR's supervision and account management. You receive one hourly rate and one invoice. GST is added on top of the rates shown.
Yes. The rates on this page are Monday to Friday straight time. Overtime at time-and-a-half runs $59.76–$65.91/hr ex-GST and double time runs $76.83–$84.74/hr, depending on grade and state. Where your site runs permanent afternoon or night shift, the relevant shift loading under the Storage Services Award applies on top of the base charge rate.
For sites we already service in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney, we can generally place inducted pickers same-day or next-morning. For a new site we need a short induction window to walk your floor, confirm the WHS requirements and brief the crew properly. Call 1800 LABOUR and we will tell you honestly what is achievable for your timeframe.
Yes. EIR holds a current Queensland labour hire licence under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 and a South Australian labour hire licence under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 (SA), both covering warehousing, storage and logistics roles. NSW does not currently operate a labour hire licensing scheme; EIR operates there under Fair Work Australia obligations.
Tell us your shift pattern, your temperature band and whether you need forklift tickets — we'll quote the grade that fits. Or model a full crew in the cost calculator.
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