Flight Attendant Salary: Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage
Understand flight attendant salary under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award, including minimum rates, flying allowances, and how they compare to the national minimum wage and average ea
The flight attendant salary is governed by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award; a full-time cabin crew member earns at least $28.88 per hour plus a flying allowance, placing estimated annual earnings around $76,900 (index 71), well below the national line of 100.
What is a flight attendant salary?
A flight attendant salary in Australia is primarily set by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, which provides minimum rates for cabin crew members, supervisors, and managers. Unlike many occupations where the national minimum wage is the floor, flight attendants have a dedicated award that sets higher base pay, plus flying allowances that reflect the nature of the job. This guide explains how award rates compare to the national minimum wage and where a flight attendant’s earnings sit on the Salary Index.
Award rates vs the national minimum wage
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (annualised $52,255, index 48.2). Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award, a full-time cabin crew member must be paid at least $28.88 per hour – that’s $2.44 more per hour than the national minimum. For a supervisor on narrow-bodied aircraft (4 or more crew), the minimum is $33.69 per hour, and for a cabin crew manager on wide-bodied aircraft, it’s $39.36 per hour.
These award rates are minimums only. Many airlines pay above award, especially for experienced crew or those on long-haul routes. But the award provides a clear benchmark: even the lowest classification exceeds the national minimum wage.
The flying allowance – a key part of pay
In addition to the base hourly rate, flight attendants receive a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour. Block hours are the time the aircraft is actually in the air with the crew on duty. According to the award, a typical full-time roster includes about 120 scheduled hours per month, of which roughly 90 are block hours. That means the flying allowance adds about $1,656 per month, or about $382 per week.
So a full-time cabin crew member on award rates could expect:
- Base weekly: $1,097.40
- Flying allowance (weekly estimate): $382
- Total weekly: $1,479.40
- Annualised: $76,928
This gives a salary index of 71 – meaning the typical award-based flight attendant earns about 71% of the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352). That’s below the national line of 100, but well above the national minimum wage index of 48.
Part-time and casual arrangements
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 64% of flight attendants work part-time. Part-time employees are paid pro-rata on the same rates as full-time staff. Casual flight attendants receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate, making their minimum $36.10 per hour (before flying allowance). This casual loading is intended to compensate for lack of leave entitlements.
How does this compare to other industries?
The flight attendant salary index of around 71 sits between retail trade (index 75.9) and accommodation and food services (index 72.5). It is significantly lower than industries like mining (154.7) or professional services (114.7). However, the flying allowance and potential for overtime can boost earnings, especially for senior crew.
Superannuation and tax considerations
Employers must pay superannuation at 12% from 1 July 2026 on top of the salary. The flying allowance includes a daily travelling allowance component ($6.88 per block hour as of June 2026) which may be tax-deductible for meals and incidentals. For tax purposes, flight attendants should refer to the Australian Taxation Office guide for allowable deductions.
Where do flight attendants earn the most?
Salary levels vary by state and territory, largely due to different award interpretations and enterprise agreements. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index (109.9) and Tasmania the lowest (88.6). Flight attendants based in major hubs like Sydney or Melbourne may have access to higher-paying international routes.
The bottom line
A flight attendant salary under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award is above the national minimum wage but below the national average earnings. The combination of base rate and flying allowance provides a reasonable income, especially for those who work full-time or take on supervisory roles. For the most current award rates, always check the Fair Work Ombudsman or your enterprise agreement.
To see how other occupations compare, browse our pay guides or learn more about how the index works.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum wage for a flight attendant under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award?
Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time cabin crew member is $1,097.40, equivalent to $28.88 per hour. A cabin crew supervisor on narrow-bodied aircraft with 4 or more crew earns $1,280.40 per week ($33.69/hr), and a cabin crew manager on wide-bodied aircraft earns $1,495.50 per week ($39.36/hr). These rates are effective from 1 July 2026. In addition, a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour is paid, which for a typical roster of 90 block hours per month adds about $1,656 per month.
How does the flight attendant salary compare to the national average?
The national average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (index 100). A full-time cabin crew member on award rates with typical flying allowance might earn around $1,479 per week, annualised to $76,928, giving a salary index of approximately 71. This is below the national line and also below the national minimum wage index of 48.2. However, supervisors and managers earn higher rates, and actual pay can vary significantly by airline and experience.
Are flight attendants paid above the national minimum wage?
Yes. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The award minimum rate for a cabin crew member is $28.88 per hour, which is $2.44 higher. With the flying allowance, the effective hourly rate is even higher. Therefore, even the entry-level classification under the award pays above the national minimum wage. Casual flight attendants receive an additional 25% loading, bringing their minimum hourly rate to $36.10.