Flight Attendant Salary Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax Explained
Understand flight attendant salary Australia: award minimum rates, flying allowances, superannuation, and tax. See how pay compares to the national index.
The salary index for a full-time cabin crew member at award minimum plus flying allowance is approximately 71, but actual earnings vary widely due to part-time work and allowances.
What is a flight attendant salary in Australia?
When you search for "flight attendant salary Australia", you're looking for a clear picture of gross pay, super, and tax for this occupation. The role is covered by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, which sets minimum weekly rates for cabin crew members, supervisors, and managers. The award also includes a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour, plus a daily travelling allowance component that reimburses meals and incidentals. The award also includes super guarantee of 12% from 1 July 2026, and the ATO provides guidance on income and deductions for flight attendants.
How does the salary index works for flight attendants?
The salary index is a benchmark: 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings May 2026). For a full-time cabin crew member at award minimum weekly rate of $1,097.40, annualised $57,064.80. Add the flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour, average 90 block hours per month adds $1,656 per month ($19,872 per year). Total gross annual pay ~$76,937. The salary index for that total: ($76,937 / $108,352) × 100 ≈ 71. That's below the national line, reflecting the part-time share (77% of flight attendants work part-time) and the award floor.
Gross pay: award rates and allowances
The award minimum rates from 1 July 2026:
- Cabin crew member: $1,097.40 per week ($28.88 per hour.
- Cabin crew supervisor (narrow-bodied aircraft, 4 or more crew: $1,280.40 per week ($33.69 per hour.
- Cabin crew manager (wide-bodied aircraft): $1,495.50 per week ($39.36 per hour. The flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour is paid for scheduled block hours only, not paid for any flight where employees have not operated as a cabin crew member. The award says if a cabin crew member’s average scheduled hours in a roster period are approximately 120 hours, of these 120 hours on average about 90 hours would be block hours, that is, the time that the employee is actually operating as a cabin crew member on a flight. In addition to the employee’s minimum rate of pay, the employee would earn an additional $1,656.00 per month ($18.40 x 90 block hours). The daily travelling allowance component is $6.88 per block hour (June 2026) reimbursed for meals and incidentals.
Superannuation for flight attendants
Under the award, employers must make super contributions to avoid the super guarantee charge. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026, applied to ordinary time earnings, which includes the minimum weekly rate and the flying allowance. The daily travelling allowance component is not subject to super. Employees can also make voluntary contributions to the same super fund.
Tax considerations for flight attendants
The ATO provides a guide for flight attendants on income and work-related deductions. Allowances such as the daily travelling allowance may be taxable if not substantiated. Common deductions include uniform and grooming expenses, travel expenses for overnight stays, and meal expenses if not reimbursed. The ATO also notes that some allowances are not included in assessable income if they are reimbursed for actual expenses.
Part-time and casual work
Most flight attendants (77%) work part-time. Part-time employees are entitled on a pro rata basis to equivalent pay and conditions to full-time cabin crew members. Casual cabin crew members must be paid per hour at the minimum hourly rate plus 25% loading, which replaces entitlements to leave and other matters.
Where to find more information
For more details on pay guides and awards, see pay guides. For state comparisons, see states. For industry benchmarks, see industries. For how the index works, see how the index works. For other topics, see topics.
Summary
A flight attendant salary in Australia is based on the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, with minimum weekly rates plus a flying allowance. The salary index for a full-time cabin crew member at award minimum plus flying allowance is approximately 71, but actual earnings vary due to part-time work, enterprise agreements and individual agreements. Superannuation is 12% on ordinary time earnings, and tax deductions can reduce taxable income. The role is predominantly part-time, with a median age of 39 and a female share of 77%.
Questions people ask
How is superannuation works for flight attendants in Australia?
Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, employers must pay super guarantee contributions of 12% (from 1 July 2026) on ordinary time earnings, including the minimum weekly rate and the flying allowance. The daily travelling allowance component (DTA) is reimbursed for meals and incidentals, and is not subject to super. Employees can also make voluntary contributions from post-tax wages into the same super fund.
What tax deductions can flight attendants claim?
The ATO guide for flight attendants can claim work-related expenses such as uniform maintenance, grooming, meals and incidentals (if not reimbursed DTA), and travel expenses for overnight stays. The ATO also includes income and allowances you must include in your tax return, including allowances that are not reimbursed. The ATO also provides a summary of common expenses in the Flight attendant guide.
How does part-time flight attendant pay compares to full-time?
Part-time flight attendants are paid pro-rata to full-time cabin crew members. The award says part-time employees are entitled on a pro rata basis to equivalent pay and conditions to those of full-time cabin crew members who do the same work in the classification concerned. The median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial employees is not available for this 6-digit ANZSCO, but the award minimum for full-time cabin crew member is $1,097.40 per week, plus flying allowance.