Project Administrator Salary in Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax in 2026
Understand the project administrator salary in Australia, including median earnings, superannuation, and tax. Compare to the national salary index and relevant awards.
The median full-time weekly earnings for project administrators (under the broader occupation group) is $2,130, annualised to $110,760, giving a salary index of approximately 102 – close to the national average of 100.
What is a project administrator salary in Australia? It depends on the industry, the award, and your experience. But the best public benchmark comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia, which group project administrators under the ANZSCO code 5111 – Contract, Program and Project Administrators. According to their latest survey, the median full-time weekly earnings for this group are $2,130. That annualises to $110,760. On the [Salary Index, where 100 is the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, this gives an index of about 102. So the project administrator salary sits right around the national line.
Gross pay and the national line
The index is simple: take your yearly gross salary, divide by $108,352, and multiply by 100. A project administrator on $110,760 lands at 102. That means they earn about 2% more than the average full-time worker across all occupations. But the average masks big differences. In Western Australia (index 106.9) or the ACT (109.9), project administrators often earn more. In Tasmania (88.6) or retail (75.9), they might earn less.
Superannuation on top
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For the median project administrator, that adds $13,291 in employer super contributions, making total remuneration $124,051. Super is not part of take-home pay, but it is part of your total compensation. Always check your pay guide to see if your award requires a higher super rate.
Tax on a project administrator salary
Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare levy of 2%): nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% on $45,001 to $135,000, 37% on $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. For $110,760, income tax is about $24,267 plus $2,215 Medicare levy, leaving take-home around $84,278. This is an estimate ignoring HELP, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy reduction.
Awards and pay guides
Project administrators may be covered by the Clerks Award, Professional Employees Award, or industry-specific awards like the Health Services Award or Mining Industry Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides [pay guides for each award. For example, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award has classification changes from 1 October 2026. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, but award rates can pay more. The entry-level award floor for a junior project administrator under the Clerks Award might be around $25.70 per hour. Always check your classification in the relevant award.
Where project administrators work
Jobs and Skills Australia shows the top industries for this occupation: Public Administration and Safety, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, and Construction. In the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry (index 114.7), project administrators often earn above the median. In Construction, the median hourly rate is higher due to overtime and site allowances. The median age is 43, and 57% are female. The occupation is 89% full-time, averaging 42 hours per week.
How to use the salary index
The index helps you compare any salary to the national line. If you earn $100,000, your index is 92.3. If you earn $120,000, your index is 110.8. For project administrators, the median index of 102 means you are slightly above average. But remember, the index is a gross ordinary-time benchmark, not a quote for a person or a job offer. Modern awards can pay more than the national minimum wage.
Take-home pay estimate
For a project administrator earning $110,760, after super, tax, and Medicare, you take home about $84,278. That’s about 76% of gross. If you live in a state with higher average earnings, like Western Australia or the ACT, your take-home might be higher because you earn more. But the tax rates are the same across Australia.
Final thought
The project administrator salary is a solid middle-income role. It pays around the national average, with good super and stable hours. Use the [Salary Index to compare your salary to the national line. Check your [pay guide to ensure you are getting the correct award rate. And remember, the index is a tool, not a promise. Your actual salary depends on your industry, your experience, and your employer.
For more on how the index works, see [how the index works. For state comparisons, see [states. For industry benchmarks, see [industries.
Where to look next
Place the figure on the Salary Index. Compare states and industries, then read the method if you want to see why 100 is the national line. More pay guides cover neighbouring questions.
Questions people ask
What is the average project administrator salary in Australia?
Based on the latest Jobs and Skills Australia data for the broader occupation group (Contract, Program and Project Administrators), the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,130. This annualises to about $110,760, which sits slightly above the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings index of 100 ($108,352). Actual salaries depend on industry, location, and experience. For example, project administrators in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry (index 114.7) may earn more, while those in Retail Trade (index 75.9) may earn less.
How does superannuation affect a project administrator salary?
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a project administrator earning the median $110,760, the employer would contribute $13,291 in super, making total remuneration around $124,051. Super is paid on top of gross wages and is taxed at 15% (plus Medicare levy) if above the low-income threshold, but it's not part of take-home pay. Always check your payslip for the super line.