What is an admin assistant salary in Australia? Award rates vs the national minimum wage

What is an admin assistant salary in Australia?

When people ask about an admin assistant salary, they usually want to know what a typical office support worker earns. The answer depends on which award covers the job, what classification level applies, and whether the employee is full-time, part-time, or casual. This article uses the most recent public data from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission to explain where an admin assistant salary sits against the national minimum wage and the broader pay scale.

The award that sets the minimum

Many admin assistants in Australia are covered by the Labour Market Assistance Industry Award (MA000099). This award applies to employees in employment services, jobactive, disability employment services, and similar programs. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for this award that lists the minimum rates from 1 July 2026. For an administrative assistant at the first pay point, the weekly rate is $1,088.50, which works out to $28.64 per hour. That is above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (index 48.2).

Annualising the weekly rate gives about $56,602. Using the Salary Index where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), an entry-level admin assistant has an index of 52.2. That means their pay is roughly half the national average for all full-time adults.

Higher classifications pay more

The same award has four pay points for administrative assistants. Pay point 4 pays $1,183.50 per week ($31.14 per hour), annualising to $61,542 and an index of 56.8. Above that, administrative officer roles start at $1,253.30 per week (index 60.1) and go up to $1,345.30 per week (index 64.6). These are still below the national average but well above the minimum wage floor.

How the award compares to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week. An admin assistant at pay point 1 earns $2.20 more per hour. That difference matters because award rates are supposed to provide a safety net above the bare minimum. The Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review 2026 increased award rates by 4.75%, which is why the current figures are higher than previous years.

For casual admin assistants, the award adds a 25% casual loading, bringing the hourly rate to $35.80. That is well above the casual national minimum wage rate of $33.05 per hour (national minimum wage plus 25% loading). Casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave.

Other awards that cover admin roles

The Labour Market Assistance Industry Award is not the only award for admin assistants. The Clerks Private Sector Award covers many general clerical and administrative roles in private businesses. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award covers admin staff in health settings. Each award has its own classification structure and pay rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for all modern awards, so you can check the correct award for your industry.

What the salary index tells you

The Salary Index compares any gross annual salary to the national line of $108,352. An index below 100 means below-average earnings; above 100 means above-average. For an admin assistant at pay point 1, the index of 52.2 shows that the role is in the lower half of the earnings distribution. That is typical for entry-level administrative work. As skills and experience increase, employees move to higher classifications or into supervisory roles, pushing the index higher.

State and industry context

Admin assistant salaries also vary by location. The states page shows that average earnings are highest in the ACT (index 109.9) and Western Australia (106.9), and lowest in Tasmania (88.6). An admin assistant in Perth might find that award rates are the same nationally, but market salaries could be higher due to demand. Similarly, the industries page shows that professional services (index 114.7) pay well above average, while retail (75.9) and accommodation (72.5) pay below. Admin roles in professional services firms often have higher pay than those in community services.

Take-home pay estimate

For a resident admin assistant earning $56,602 per year, the estimated take-home pay after tax and Medicare levy (using 2026–27 rates) is about $45,500. That assumes the tax-free threshold and no other deductions. The 2% Medicare levy adds about $1,132. The actual amount depends on individual circumstances, but it gives a rough idea of what the award rate means in hand.

Superannuation is extra

Remember that the award rate does not include super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings. For an admin assistant earning $56,602, the employer must contribute an additional $6,792 per year into super. That brings total remuneration to about $63,394, but the salary index is based on gross wages only, consistent with ABS methodology.

Summary

An admin assistant salary under the Labour Market Assistance Industry Award starts at $28.64 per hour, giving a salary index of 52.2. That is above the national minimum wage (index 48.2) but well below the full-time adult average (index 100). Higher classifications and different awards can push the index higher, but admin work generally sits in the lower half of the earnings distribution. For a full explanation of how we calculate the index, see how the index works.