FRV Salary Explained: Award Rates Across Australian States and Industries

What is FRV Salary?

FRV salary is not a term you will find in the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides or the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database. It is best understood as a shorthand for Fair Work Remuneration Value — the minimum pay rates that apply under Australia's national workplace relations system. These rates come from modern awards, enterprise agreements, or the National Minimum Wage. The Fair Work Commission reviews them each year, and the Fair Work Ombudsman provides tools to calculate exact entitlements.

For most employees, the FRV salary is the award rate for their classification. Awards cover industries from mining to retail, and each sets minimum hourly rates, penalties, and allowances. The National Minimum Wage applies only if no award or agreement covers the employee. As of 1 July 2026, that minimum is $26.44 per hour or $1004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255. On the Salary Index, that sits at 48.2 — well below the national line of 100.

State Differences in FRV Salary

Award rates are national, but the actual pay employees receive can vary by state because of different industry mixes, cost-of-living pressures, and state-specific instruments. The states page on Salary Index shows how average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings differ across Australia. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has an index of 109.9 (annualised $119,090), while Tasmania is at 88.6 ($96,008). These figures are not award rates but reflect the overall earnings environment.

When you consider FRV salary in a state context, remember that award rates are the floor. An employee in Western Australia (index 106.9) might earn more than the award because of a strong mining sector, while someone in South Australia (index 94.6) may be closer to the minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides apply nationally, but local labour markets push actual pay above or below the national average.

Industry Variations in FRV Salary

Industry is the biggest driver of FRV salary differences. The industries page shows that Mining has an index of 154.7 — more than three times the national minimum wage index. At the other end, Accommodation and food services sits at 72.5. These indices reflect full-time ordinary-time earnings, not award rates, but they mirror the award structure. The Mining Industry Award [MA000011] has higher minimum rates than the Retail Industry Award.

From 1 July 2026, award minima rose by 4.75%. That means the FRV salary for a retail assistant might be around $25.74 per hour (the entry-level award floor), while a mining operator could be $30 or more. The pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman list exact rates for each classification. For example, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027] saw changes from 1 October 2026 due to gender-based undervaluation reviews, lifting rates for some roles.

How the Salary Index Helps Compare FRV Salary

The how the index works page explains that the Salary Index compares any gross annual salary to the national line of 100, which is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). To find where an FRV salary sits, divide the annualised award rate by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, the national minimum wage annualised at $52,255 gives an index of 48.2. A typical award rate for a professional in Education and training (index 105.5) would be close to the national line.

This tool is useful for seeing how award rates stack up across topics like industry or state. It is not a quote for a specific job — always check the relevant award for your exact classification.

Practical Examples

Consider a casual employee under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award (SCHADS). From 1 December 2026, home care disability employees get an initial increase of up to 15% to their minimum award rates. Their FRV salary might rise from, say, $28 per hour to $32.20. On the index, that could move from around 52 to 60, still below the national line but reflecting the value of care work.

In contrast, a mining engineer under the Mining Industry Award might earn $50 per hour, annualised to $104,000, giving an index of 96 — close to the national average. These examples show how FRV salary varies by industry and award.

Caveats and Further Reading

FRV salary is a useful concept, but it is not an official term. Always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool for your exact rates. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, and tax rates for 2026–27 start at nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Medicare levy is 2%. These affect take-home pay but not the FRV salary itself.

For more detail, explore the pay guides page for award-specific rates, or check the states and industries pages to see how your area compares.