Emirates cabin crew salary in Australia: what the award rates suggest

Emirates cabin crew salary in Australia: what the award rates suggest

When you search for "emirates cabin crew salary" in Australia, you won't find a single published figure. Emirates is a foreign airline, and its cabin crew based overseas are paid under different systems. But for Australian-based cabin crew, the closest public benchmark is the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, set by the Fair Work Commission. This award covers employers of aircraft cabin crew and their employees throughout Australia, and it sets minimum pay rates, allowances, and conditions.

What the award says about cabin crew pay

Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time cabin crew member from 1 July 2026 is $1,097.40, or $28.88 per hour. That's above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). But the award also includes a flying allowance of $18.40 per hour for every hour the crew member is actually operating a flight (block hours). For a typical roster of 120 hours, about 90 are block hours, adding $1,656 per month. That brings the effective hourly rate much higher.

There are also higher classifications: a cabin crew supervisor on narrow-bodied aircraft with four or more crew gets $33.69 per hour ($1,280.40 weekly), and a cabin crew manager on wide-bodied aircraft gets $39.36 per hour ($1,495.50 weekly). These rates are the legal minimum; actual pay can be higher under enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

Where does this sit on the Salary Index?

The Salary Index compares a yearly gross wage to the national line of 100, which is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A cabin crew member on the award minimum of $28.88 per hour, working 38 hours a week for 52 weeks, earns about $57,065 per year. That gives an index of about 53. But add the flying allowance for 90 block hours per month at $18.40, and annual pay rises to roughly $76,937, index 71. Still below the national line, but closer.

State and industry differences

Even though the award is national, where you live and work matters. State average weekly earnings vary: Western Australia (index 106.9) and the Australian Capital Territory (109.9) are above the national line, while Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) are below. A cabin crew member based in Perth might find that local wages in other industries are higher, putting upward pressure on pay. But the award itself doesn't change by state.

Industry benchmarks also give context. The mining industry has an index of 154.7, while accommodation and food services is 72.5. Cabin crew sit somewhere in the middle, likely in the transport sector, which isn't separately listed but probably hovers near the national average. If you're comparing "emirates cabin crew salary" to other jobs, remember that the award minimum is a floor, not a ceiling.

Allowances and superannuation

The flying allowance is a key part of cabin crew pay. It includes a daily travelling allowance component (based on ATO rates) for meals and incidentals. As of June 2026, that component is $6.88 per block hour. The rest is a genuine allowance for the nature of flying work.

Superannuation is also important. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, with a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a salary of $76,937, an employer would contribute about $9,232 to super each year. That's on top of the cash wage.

Tax and take-home pay

For a resident earning $76,937 in 2026–27, the tax (excluding Medicare) would be roughly: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800 (to $45,000), and 30% on the remaining $31,937 (to $76,937). That's about $4,020 + $9,581 = $13,601 in tax, plus the 2% Medicare levy ($1,539). Take-home pay would be around $61,797. If you're on the award minimum without flying allowance ($57,065), tax and Medicare would be lower, around $9,500 total, leaving about $47,565.

How to find more information

For official award rates, check the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The how the index works page explains how we calculate the Salary Index. You can also compare state earnings on our states page, or see industry benchmarks on industries. For broader topics around pay, visit topics.

The bottom line on Emirates cabin crew salary

There is no public figure for an Emirates cabin crew salary in Australia. The award provides a minimum, but actual pay for Emirates staff could be different, especially if they are covered by an enterprise agreement or employed overseas. If you're considering a job with Emirates in Australia, the award rates give a starting point, but you'd need to ask the employer directly. The Salary Index helps you see where any offer sits relative to the national average.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award apply to Emirates cabin crew in Australia? The award covers employers of aircraft cabin crew in Australia. If Emirates employs cabin crew based in Australia and no enterprise agreement applies, the award may set the minimum. However, Emirates may have its own arrangements.

How does the cabin crew award rate compare to the national average wage? The award minimum for a cabin crew member is $28.88 per hour, annualised to about $57,065 (index 53). With the flying allowance, it rises to around $76,937 (index 71). The national line is $108,352 (index 100).

What state or industry differences affect cabin crew pay in Australia? The award rates are national, so the minimum is the same everywhere. But state average earnings vary, and local labour markets can influence actual pay. Industry benchmarks show mining and professional services pay well above the national line, while accommodation and food pay below.