Minimum pay by job, 2026–27
The award minimum is for the classification named in the second column; each job page explains why that classification fits and lists every other level. The median is Jobs and Skills Australia’s figure for full-time employees in the occupation. Jobs are grouped by sector; several — chefs, baristas, lab technicians — are covered by different awards depending on the employer, and their pages show each one.
Health and care
| Job | Award / classification | Minimum hourly | Casual hourly | Median weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Worker | MA000018Direct care level 3 — Qualified | $36.23 | $45.29 | $1,761 |
| Audiologist | MA000027Level 1 pay point 2 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $2,003 |
| Dental Assistant | MA000027Level 6 — Certificate III or 4+ years' experience | $30.63 | $38.29 | $1,211 |
| Dental Hygienist | MA000027Level 1 pay point 2 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $2,210 |
| Dietitian | MA000027Level 1 pay point 2 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $1,667 |
| Disability Support Worker | MA000100Level 2 pay point 1 | $36.22 | $45.28 | $1,761 |
| Doctor | MA000031Intern | $33.62 | $42.03 | $2,446 |
| Medical Receptionist | MA000027Level 3 | $29.11 | $36.39 | $1,229 |
| Midwife | MA000034Registered nurse level 1 — Pay point 1 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $2,114 |
| Nurse | MA000034Registered nurse level 1 — Pay point 1 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $2,192 |
| Occupational Therapist | MA000027Level 1 pay point 3 | $33.51 | $41.89 | $1,913 |
| Pathology Collector | MA000027Level 6 — qualified (Certificate III) | $30.63 | $38.29 | $1,539 |
| Pharmacist | MA000012Pharmacist | $41.74 | $52.18 | $1,956 |
| Pharmacy Assistant | MA000012Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,112 |
| Physiotherapist | MA000027Level 1 pay point 3 | $33.51 | $41.89 | $1,888 |
| Podiatrist | MA000027Level 1 pay point 2 | $32.09 | $40.11 | — |
| Psychologist | MA000027Level 1 pay point 4 | $34.66 | $43.33 | $2,204 |
| Radiographer | MA000027Level 1 pay point 2 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $2,360 |
| Social Worker | MA000100Level 3 pay point 4 | $43.42 | $54.28 | $2,172 |
| Sonographer | MA000027Level 1 pay point 2 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $2,360 |
| Speech Pathologist | MA000027Level 1 pay point 2 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $2,003 |
| Veterinarian | MA000118Level 1A | $34.20 | $42.75 | $2,413 |
| Youth Worker | MA000100Level 2 pay point 2 | $37.36 | $46.70 | — |
Hospitality, retail and personal services
| Job | Award / classification | Minimum hourly | Casual hourly | Median weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barista | MA000119Food and beverage attendant grade 2 | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1,500 |
| Bartender | MA000009Food and beverage attendant grade 2 | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1,500 |
| Chef | MA000009Cook grade 3 (tradesperson) — commis chef | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,423 |
| Cleaner | MA000022Cleaning Services Employee Level 1 | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1,254 |
| Hairdresser | MA000005Level 3 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,209 |
| Retail Manager | MA000004Retail Employee Level 6 | $31.11 | $38.89 | $1,620 |
| Retail Worker | MA000004Retail Employee Level 1 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,241 |
| Security Guard | MA000016Security Officer Level 1 | $28.42 | $35.53 | $1,818 |
Trades, transport and technical
| Job | Award / classification | Minimum hourly | Casual hourly | Median weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Electrician | MA0000251st year — completed Year 12 | $17.97 | — | — |
| Boilermaker | MA000010C10 — Tradesperson Level I | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,688 |
| Bus Driver | MA000063Grade 4 | $30.59 | $38.24 | $1,795 |
| Carpenter | MA000020Carpenter (CW3) — general building and construction | $32.30 | $40.38 | $1,760 |
| Crane Operator | MA000032Mobile crane employee level 2 (MCE2) | $32.06 | $40.08 | $3,411 |
| Electrician | MA000025Electrical worker grade 5 | $31.13 | $38.91 | $2,191 |
| Flight Attendant | MA000047Cabin crew member | $28.88 | $36.10 | — |
| Forklift Operator | MA000084Storeworker grade 2 | $27.97 | $34.96 | $1,340 |
| Lab Technician | MA000027Level 1 pay point 1 | $30.89 | $38.61 | $1,539 |
| Mechanic | MA000089R6 — Tradesperson Level I (motor mechanic) | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,622 |
| Plumber | MA000036Plumbing and mechanical services tradesperson level 1 (registered) | $32.80 | $41.00 | $1,990 |
| Truck Driver | MA000038Transport Worker Grade 6 | $29.00 | $36.25 | $1,960 |
| Welder | MA000010C10 — Tradesperson Level I | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,688 |
Office, property and professional
| Job | Award / classification | Minimum hourly | Casual hourly | Median weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | Award-free (National Minimum Wage) | $26.44 | $33.05 | $2,003 |
| Architect | MA000079Level 2(b) Registered Architect — Entry | $39.77 | $49.71 | $2,308 |
| Bookkeeper | MA000002Level 3 | $31.11 | $38.89 | $1,400 |
| Engineer | MA000065Level 1 Graduate professional — pay point 1.1 (4 or 5 year degree) | $34.57 | $43.21 | $2,217 |
| Lawyer | MA000116Level 5 — Law graduate | $33.99 | $42.49 | $2,070 |
| Property Manager | MA000106Level 2 (Representative) | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,504 |
| Real Estate Agent | MA000106Level 2 (Representative) | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,504 |
| Receptionist | MA000002Level 1 — Year 1 | $26.97 | $33.71 | $1,229 |
Education and childcare
| Job | Award / classification | Minimum hourly | Casual hourly | Median weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | MA000120Level 3 — Qualified Educator | $32.47 | $40.59 | $1,341 |
| Early Childhood Teacher | MA000077Level 1 — long day care | $39.83 | $49.79 | $1,906 |
| Teacher Aide | MA000076Level 2.1 | $28.24 | $35.30 | $1,342 |
How to read an award rate
An award sets a minimum for each classification. Your classification depends on your duties, qualifications and experience as the award defines them — not your job title. The weekly rate is for a 38-hour full-time week; part-timers get the same hourly rate; casuals get the hourly rate plus a 25% casual loading instead of paid leave.
Work on weekends, public holidays, early mornings or nights often attracts a penalty rate, and extra hours attract overtime. Those rules differ between awards, so each job page sets them out. To turn an hourly rate into weekly take-home pay use the weekly pay calculator, or see every modern award we cover on the award rates hub.
Job pay rate questions
How these rates are sourced▼
Every award minimum on these pages was read from the Fair Work Commission’s consolidated award text, consolidated to 1 July 2026 (the SCHADS Award to 1 September 2026), on 23 September 2026. Median earnings are from Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). Nothing is estimated.
Sources & References
- 1Awards— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 2Pay guides for modern awards— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 3Modern awards (consolidated text)— Fair Work Commission
- 4Occupation and industry profiles— Jobs and Skills Australia
Last verified: 23 September 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Anita Bell
AuthorFounder & Senior Bookkeeper
Accountancy degree (2015); certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One
Anita Bell earned her accountancy degree in 2015 and has worked as a senior bookkeeper with Prime Bookkeeping for over 5 years. This built her skills in Australian and New Zealand tax legislation and industry regulations. She is certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One, and works with payroll and rostering software including Gusto, Deputy, Tsheets and KeyPay. She has strong experience in hospitality, building and construction, financial services, real estate, ecommerce, and medical and health services.
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