Fashion designer salary in Australia: what you can expect to earn
Find out the typical fashion designer salary in Australia, how it compares to the national average, and what award coverage means for your pay.
The median full-time weekly earnings for fashion, industrial and jewellery designers is $1,500, giving a Salary Index of about 72 – well below the national line of 100.
What does a fashion designer earn in Australia?
If you're looking into a fashion designer salary in Australia, the most reliable public figure comes from Jobs and Skills Australia. Their data for the occupation group Fashion, Industrial and Jewellery Designers (ANZSCO 2323) shows a median full-time weekly earnings of $1,500 and median hourly earnings of $40. That works out to about $78,000 a year before tax.
To put that in perspective, the national benchmark for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 annually (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Using the Salary Index, where 100 equals that national line, the typical fashion designer sits at around 72 – well below the average across all occupations.
But that number comes with a big caveat: it lumps together fashion, industrial and jewellery designers. A senior fashion designer working for a high-end label or a freelance consultant with a strong portfolio could earn significantly more. Conversely, an entry-level or junior designer might earn less, especially if they are covered by an award or the national minimum wage.
Award coverage and minimum pay
The Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance on whether a fashion designer is covered by an award. The key point: it depends on the employer’s industry and the designer’s actual duties, not just the job title.
- Award-free professionals: Many fashion designers with a degree (e.g., Bachelor of Fashion) and creative oversight are not covered by any modern award. They are entitled to the national minimum wage – currently $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255 (Index 48.2) – plus the National Employment Standards.
- Textile and Clothing Award: Designers working in a manufacturing environment may fall under this award. It has classifications like Designer – Creative and Designer – Other, but the Fair Work Ombudsman notes that these classifications don’t always cover the full range of creative duties. A level 5 employee under the award can contribute to product development, but a truly creative designer may be above the award.
- Other awards: If the employer is in retail, amusement, or another industry, a different award might apply.
Because of this patchwork, the median $1,500/week from Jobs and Skills Australia is a useful guide but not a guarantee. Many fashion designers negotiate their own salary above the minimum.
Gross pay, super, and tax
Let’s break down what a fashion designer salary of $78,000 looks like after super and tax.
Superannuation: From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. On $78,000, your employer would contribute $9,360 per year into your super fund. That’s on top of your gross salary.
Income tax (2026–27 rates, resident, excluding Medicare):
- $0–$18,200: nil
- $18,201–$45,000: 15%
- $45,001–$135,000: 30%
- $135,001–$190,000: 37%
- Above $190,000: 45%
Plus a flat 2% Medicare levy.
For $78,000:
- Tax on first $18,200: $0
- Tax on $18,201–$45,000 ($26,800): 15% = $4,020
- Tax on $45,001–$78,000 ($33,000): 30% = $9,900
- Total tax: $13,920
- Medicare levy (2% of $78,000): $1,560
- Total tax + Medicare: $15,480
- Take-home pay: $78,000 – $15,480 = $62,520 per year, or about $1,202 per week.
Remember, this ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Your actual take-home may differ.
How location and industry affect pay
The Salary Index also tracks state and industry benchmarks. While a fashion designer’s pay is individual, these figures give context:
- States: The national line is 100. If you work in New South Wales (Index 101.2) or Victoria (98), your pay might align with or slightly exceed the national average. In Tasmania (Index 88.6), average earnings are lower. In Western Australia (106.9), they’re higher.
- Industries: Fashion designers often work in Manufacturing (Index 88.5), Retail Trade (75.9), or Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (114.7). A designer in a professional services firm (e.g., a design consultancy) might earn more than one in retail.
See industries and states for more detail.
The bottom line
A fashion designer salary in Australia typically falls around $78,000 a year (Index 72), but the range is wide. Entry-level roles may start near the national minimum wage, while experienced designers in high-end fashion or consultancy can earn above the national average. Because many fashion designers are award-free, your pay is largely a matter of negotiation and market demand.
For more on how the index works, visit how the index works. And if you’re comparing roles across different fields, check our topics page.
Questions people ask
What is the average fashion designer salary in Australia?
The most recent public data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows that the median full-time weekly earnings for Fashion, Industrial and Jewellery Designers is $1,500, which annualises to about $78,000. This gives a Salary Index of roughly 72 – meaning the typical designer earns about 72% of the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $108,352. However, this figure covers a broad group, and individual salaries can be higher or lower depending on experience, specialisation, and whether the designer is covered by an award.
Are fashion designers covered by an award?
It depends on the employer’s industry and the designer’s duties. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, fashion designers who are mostly involved in the creative side of design and hold a degree (e.g., Bachelor of Fashion) are generally award-free. They are entitled to the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards. Designers working in a manufacturing environment may be covered by the Textile and Clothing Award, which has classifications such as Designer – Creative and Designer – Other. Other industry awards may apply if the employer is in a different sector, such as amusement or retail. Always check the actual duties, not just the job title.
How is super and tax calculated for a fashion designer?
Superannuation guarantee contributions are 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a fashion designer earning the median $78,000, the employer would contribute $9,360 annually in super. Income tax for 2026–27 (resident, excluding Medicare) is nil up to $18,200, then 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000, 30% on $45,001–$135,000, 37% on $135,001–$190,000, and 45% above that. A flat 2% Medicare levy also applies. For a $78,000 salary, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be around $15,000–$16,000, leaving a take-home of roughly $62,000–$63,000 plus super.