Lollipop man salary: what a school crossing supervisor earns in Australia

What is a lollipop man salary?

A lollipop man (or lollipop lady) is a school crossing supervisor who helps children cross the road safely. The term comes from the red-and-white stop sign they hold, shaped like a lollipop. In Australia, this role is usually employed by local councils or state education departments, and the pay is set by an award or enterprise agreement. Because the role is not covered by a single national award, the exact lollipop man salary can vary by state, employer, and employment type.

The national minimum wage as a floor

For any employee not covered by an award or registered agreement, the National Minimum Wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2. That means a full-time worker on the minimum earns about half the benchmark.

Most school crossing supervisors, however, are covered by an award. The most common is the Local Government Industry Award, which sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database shows that award minima rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. The exact classification for a crossing supervisor is not listed in the provided search results, but the award likely includes a level for general duties or community services.

Casual loading and part-time work

Many lollipop workers are employed casually, working split shifts around school hours (typically 8–9 am and 2–4 pm). Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate. Using the national minimum wage as an example, the casual rate would be $33.05 per hour. For a 20-hour week, that’s $661 gross. The pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman explain how to calculate penalty rates and allowances for specific awards.

State differences in the lollipop man salary

Because local government awards can vary by state, the lollipop man salary may differ depending on where you work. The states page on Salary Index shows the index for each state’s full-time adult ordinary-time earnings:

• New South Wales: index 101.2 ($109,658 annualised)
• Victoria: index 98 ($106,137)
• Queensland: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• South Australia: index 94.6 ($102,450)
• Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825)
• Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)
• Northern Territory: index 95.2 ($103,173)
• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 ($119,090)

These figures are benchmarks for full-time workers, not specific to crossing supervisors. But they hint at the overall wage level in each state. For example, a crossing supervisor in WA (index 106.9) might earn more than one in Tasmania (index 88.6), assuming the same award classification.

Industry context

The role sits at the intersection of education and local government. The industries page shows the Education and training industry index at 105.5, while Health care and social assistance is at 97.8. Local government is not separately listed, but it often falls under Public Administration and Safety, which tends to have an index above 100. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employing industry (14.5% of the workforce), but crossing supervisors are a small niche.

How the Salary Index works

The how the index works page explains that the index is calculated by dividing a worker’s annual gross ordinary-time earnings by the national benchmark ($108,352) and multiplying by 100. For a lollipop man earning the national minimum wage full-time, the index is 48.2. But if a local government award pays $30 per hour for a 38-hour week, that’s $1,140 per week, annualised $59,280, giving an index of 54.7. Still well below the national line.

Junior rates and superannuation

Many crossing supervisors are older workers, but junior rates apply to those under 21. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets junior percentages of the national minimum wage: under 16 $9.73/hr, 16 $12.51/hr, 17 $15.28/hr, 18 $18.06/hr, 19 $21.81/hr, 20 $25.83/hr. These rates are lower than the adult minimum, so a teenage lollipop man would earn significantly less.

Superannuation is compulsory at 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of gross pay. The maximum contribution base is $270,830, so most crossing supervisors will have the full 12% paid.

Tax and take-home pay

Using 2026–27 resident tax rates (with tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy), a casual crossing supervisor earning $33.05/hr for 20 hours/week ($34,372 annualised) would pay about $2,400 in tax and $687 in Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of roughly $31,285 per year, or $601 per week. This is an estimate and ignores HELP, salary sacrifice, or Medicare levy surcharge.

Conclusion

The lollipop man salary is not a fixed figure. It depends on the applicable award (usually local government), state location, casual or permanent status, and hours worked. The national minimum wage provides a floor of $26.44/hr, but most crossing supervisors earn more under an award. Using the Salary Index, the role typically sits well below the national line of 100, often between 48 and 60. For the most accurate rate, check the relevant award on the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.