Woolworths vs Coles Pay Rate 2025:
Complete Comparison
Choosing between Woolworths and Coles as an employer often comes down to pay rates, benefits, and working conditions. This comprehensive guide compares pay rates, benefits, career progression, and overall value at Australia’s two largest supermarket chains to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Woolworths vs Coles Pay
Base Pay Rates: Nearly identical (both follow the same retail award)
Casual Loading: Both 25% on top of the base rate
Penalty Rates: Both offer the same weekend/public holiday rates
Staff Discount: Both 5% off groceries
Overall Winner: TIE – pay rates are virtually identical
Real Difference: Work culture, location, management, career progression
Pay Rate Comparison by Position
Entry-Level Positions (Casual with 25% Loading)
| Age | Woolworths | Coles | Difference |
| 15 years | $14-17/hour | $14-17/hour | None |
| 16 years | $16-20/hour | $16-20/hour | None |
| 17 years | $18-23/hour | $18-23/hour | None |
| 18 years | $21-25/hour | $21-25/hour | None |
| 19 years | $22-26/hour | $22-26/hour | None |
| 20 years | $24-28/hour | $24-28/hour | None |
| 21+ years | $25-29/hour | $25-29/hour | None |
Verdict: Identical base pay rates as both follow the General Retail Industry Award.
Penalty Rates (Both Employers)
Saturday: Time and a half (1.5x)
- Example: $25/hour becomes $37.50/hour
Sunday: Double time (2x)
- Example: $25/hour becomes $50/hour
Public Holidays: Double time and a half (2.5x)
- Example: $25/hour becomes $62.50/hour
Evening/Night: Additional loading (varies by shift time)
Verdict: Identical penalty rates at both employers.
Specialized Positions
| Position | Woolworths | Coles | Difference |
| Deli/Bakery | $26-30/hour | $26-30/hour | None |
| Department Supervisor | $28-35/hour | $28-35/hour | Minimal |
| Night Fill Manager | $30-38/hour | $30-38/hour | Minimal |
| Department Manager | $55,000-75,000/year | $55,000-75,000/year | Minimal |
| Store Manager | $75,000-110,000/year | $75,000-110,000/year | Minimal |
| Area Manager | $100,000-140,000/year | $100,000-140,000/year | Minimal |
Verdict: Virtually identical pay across all levels.
Weekly Earnings Comparison
Scenario 1: 16-Year-Old Casual (15 hours/week)
Woolworths:
- 8 hours weekday: $18/hour = $144
- 7 hours weekend: $27/hour = $189
- Total: $333/week
Coles:
- 8 hours weekday: $18/hour = $144
- 7 hours weekend: $27/hour = $189
- Total: $333/week
Difference: $0
Scenario 2: 21+ Adult Casual (30 hours/week)
Woolworths:
- 15 hours weekday: $27/hour = $405
- 10 hours Saturday: $40.50/hour = $405
- 5 hours Sunday: $54/hour = $270
- Total: $1,080/week
Coles:
- 15 hours weekday: $27/hour = $405
- 10 hours Saturday: $40.50/hour = $405
- 5 hours Sunday: $54/hour = $270
- Total: $1,080/week
Difference: $0
Scenario 3: Department Manager (Salaried)
Woolworths: $65,000/year average
Coles: $65,000/year average
Difference: Minimal (varies by store size and location)
Benefits Comparison
Staff Discount
Woolworths:
- 5% on Woolworths groceries
- 10% at Big W
- 5% at BWS/Dan Murphy’s
- Weekly team member specials (extra discounts)
Coles:
- 5% on Coles groceries
- 5% at Coles Express
- 5% at Liquorland
- Weekly team member specials (10-30% off selected items)
Verdict: Woolworths slightly better (Big W 10% discount valuable)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Woolworths:
- Free confidential counseling
- Mental health support
- Financial advice
- Legal advice
Coles:
- Free confidential counseling
- Mental health support
- Financial advice
- Legal advice
- Health and well-being programs
Verdict: Both excellent, Coles slightly more comprehensive
Career Development
Woolworths:
- Internal training programs
- Leadership development
- Online learning platform
- Clear career pathways
- Promotion from within the culture
Coles:
- Comprehensive training programs
- Leadership development
- Online learning (Coles University)
- Career pathways
- Promotion from within the culture
Verdict: Both excellent, roughly equal
Superannuation
Woolworths: 11% super (standard)
Coles: 11% super (standard)
Verdict: Identical
Paid Leave (Permanent Employees)
Woolworths:
- 4 weeks of annual leave
- 10 days personal/sick leave
- Long service leave
- Parental leave
Coles:
- 4 weeks of annual leave
- 10 days personal/sick leave
- Long service leave
- Parental leave
Verdict: Identical (standard entitlements)
Work Culture Comparison
Woolworths
Pros:
✅ Larger company (more locations, more opportunities)
✅ Strong promotion-from-within culture
✅ Comprehensive training programs
✅ Modern stores and systems
✅ Big W discount (10%)
Cons:
❌ Can feel corporate and impersonal
❌ High performance expectations
❌ Busy, fast-paced environment
❌ Strict policies and procedures
Employee Reviews: 3.5-4/5 stars average
Best For: Career-focused individuals, those wanting clear progression
Coles
Pros:
✅ Slightly more relaxed culture (employee feedback)
✅ Strong community focus
✅ Comprehensive benefits package
✅ Good work-life balance initiatives
✅ Supportive management (varies by store)
Cons:
❌ Can feel corporate
❌ Busy during peak times
❌ Performance expectations
❌ Restructuring in recent years
Employee Reviews: 3.5-4/5 stars average
Best For: Those valuing work-life balance, community focus
Career Progression Comparison
Typical Career Path (Both Employers)
Entry Level → Supervisor → Manager → Area Manager
1.Team Member (Casual/Part-Time)
2.Department Supervisor (2-3 years)
3.Department Manager (4-6 years)
4.Store Manager (7-10 years)
5.Area Manager (10+ years)
Progression Speed
Woolworths:
- Average time to supervisor: 2-3 years
- Average time to manager: 5-8 years
- Promotion from within: 70-80% of managers
Coles:
- Average time to supervisor: 2-3 years
- Average time to manager: 5-8 years
- Promotion from within: 70-80% of managers
Verdict: Nearly identical progression timelines
Training and Development
Woolworths:
- Woolworths Academy (online learning)
- Leadership programs
- On-the-job training
- Mentoring programs
Coles:
- Coles University (online learning)
- Leadership development programs
- On-the-job training
- Mentoring and coaching
Verdict: Both excellent, roughly equal
Working Conditions Comparison
Store Environment
Woolworths:
- Modern stores (many recently renovated)
- Advanced technology and systems
- Clean, well-maintained
- Busy, fast-paced
Coles:
- Modern stores (ongoing renovations)
- Good technology and systems
- Clean, well-maintained
- Busy, fast-paced
Verdict: Both modern and well-maintained
Rostering and Flexibility
Woolworths:
- 2-week roster in advance
- Availability-based rostering
- Flexible for students (generally)
- Weekend work expected
Coles:
- 2-week roster in advance
- Availability-based rostering
- Flexible for students (generally)
- Weekend work expected
Verdict: Identical rostering practices
Team Culture
Woolworths:
- Varies significantly by store and manager
- Generally professional
- Team-focused
- Corporate culture
Coles:
- Varies significantly by store and manager
- Generally supportive
- Team-focused
- Community-oriented culture
Verdict: Varies by individual store more than the company
Location and Convenience
Number of Stores
Woolworths: 1,000+ stores Australia-wide
Coles: 800+ stores Australia-wide
Verdict: Woolworths has more locations (more job opportunities, more transfer options)
Store Locations
Woolworths: Slightly more suburban and regional presence
Coles: Strong urban and suburban presence
Verdict: Choose based on which is closer to you
Which Pays More: The Real Answer
Base Pay: Identical
Both Woolworths and Coles pay virtually identical base rates as they follow the same retail award. There is no meaningful pay difference for the same position at the same level.
Where Earnings Differ
- Hours Offered:
- Some stores offer more hours than others
- Busier stores = more shifts available
- Varies by location, not company
- Shift Patterns:
- More weekend shifts = higher earnings (penalty rates)
- Night shifts = additional loading
- Varies by store needs
- Overtime Opportunities:
- Busier stores may offer more overtime
- Peak periods (Christmas) = more hours
- Varies by store
- Progression Speed:
- Faster promotion = higher pay sooner
- Depends on individual performance and store vacancies
- Roughly equal at both companies
- Individual Store:
- Store size affects manager salaries
- Larger stores pay managers more
- Varies by specific store, not company
Real Employee Feedback
Woolworths Employees Say:
Positive:
- “Good pay and benefits”
- “Clear career progression”
- “Flexible rostering for students”
- “Staff discount helpful”
- “Professional environment”
Negative:
- “Can be very busy and stressful”
- “Corporate culture can feel impersonal.”
- “High expectations”
- “Depends heavily onthe store manager”
Coles Employees Say:
Positive:
- “Decent pay and conditions”
- “Supportive team culture”
- “Good work-life balance”
- “Comprehensive training”
- “Community focus”
Negative:
- “Busy during peak times”
- “Pay could be better.”
- “Restructuring creates uncertainty.y”
- “Depends heavily on the store manager”
So, Which Should You Choose?
Choose Woolworths If:
✅ There’s a Woolworths closer to you
✅ You value Big W discount (10%)
✅ You want more store locations (transfer opportunities)
✅ You prefer a larger company structure
✅ Friends/family work there (referral advantage)
Choose Coles If:
✅ There’s a Coles closer to you
✅ You value a comprehensive benefits package
✅ You prefer a slightly more relaxed culture (employee feedback)
✅ You like community-focused culture
✅ Friends/family work there (referral advantage)
The Honest Truth:
Pay is virtually identical. The real decision should be based on:
1.Location – Which is closer to you?
2.Specific store culture – Visit both and observe
3.Manager – Good manager > company choice
4.Friends/referrals – Easier to get hired with a referral
5.Personal preference – Which feels right to you?
Better Strategy: Apply to Both
Why Apply to Both?
✅ Double your chances of getting hired
✅ Compare offers if both hire you
✅ Choose better store (culture, manager, shifts)
✅ Faster employment – whoever hires first
✅ No downside – both pay the same
How to Apply to Both
1.Create a good resume
2.Apply to both Woolworths and Coles online
3.Apply to multiple locations of each
4.Attend interviews at both if offered
5.Choose based on which offers better:
- Shifts and hours
- Store culture (observed during interview)
- Manager (met during interview)
- Location convenience
- Start date
Conclusion
Woolworths and Coles pay virtually identical rates for the same positions. Both follow the General Retail Industry Award, offer 25% casual loading, identical penalty rates, and 5% staff discounts. Pay differences are negligible and come down to individual store factors (hours offered, shift patterns) rather than company policy.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Pay rates: Identical base pay and penalty rates
✅ Benefits: Very similar (slight edge to Woolworths for Big W discount)
✅ Career progression: Identical timelines and opportunities
✅ Work culture: Varies more by individual store than by the company
✅ Real decision factors: Location, specific store culture, manager quality
Best Strategy:
1.Apply to both companies
2.Apply to multiple locations of each
3.Choose based on which offers better hours, culture, and convenience
4.Don’t stress – pay is the same, both are good employers
The “better” employer is whichever store is closer to you, has a better manager, and offers the shifts you want. Pay rates are not a differentiating factor between Woolworths and Coles.
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