Stenographer salary in Australia: where it sits on the salary index

What is a stenographer salary in Australia?

A stenographer salary in Australia is not a straightforward figure. The occupation is officially called a Machine Shorthand Reporter (ANZSCO 532112), and the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for it because the sample is too small. That means anyone searching for a “stenographer salary” needs to piece together clues from award rates, industry data, and the national salary index.

The occupation: Machine Shorthand Reporters

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there were about 1,400 machine shorthand reporters employed at the time of the 2021 Census. The workforce is predominantly female (80%), with a median age of 49. Over half work part-time (58%), and the average full-time hours are 39 per week, below the all-occupations average of 44 hours. The main industries are Administrative and Support Services, Public Administration and Safety, and Information Media and Telecommunications.

These details matter because they shape the typical stenographer salary. A part-time, older workforce may earn less on a weekly basis than full-time workers in other fields. But the lack of published median earnings means we must rely on award minima and industry benchmarks.

Award rates and the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for full-time work. That gives a salary index of 48.2, meaning it is less than half the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (index 100). If a stenographer is paid at the minimum award rate, their salary index would be around 48. However, most stenographers with experience and qualifications earn more.

Award coverage for stenographers is not uniform. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides list minimum rates for various awards, but no award is named specifically for machine shorthand reporters. Possible awards include the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 or the Professional Employees Award 2020. Under the Clerks Award, a Level 3 employee (which might cover experienced stenographers) earns roughly $25–$28 per hour, depending on the classification. That would give a weekly salary of about $950–$1,064, or an index of 46–51.

But court reporters and captioners often work under enterprise agreements or are paid above award. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database 2026 shows updated minimum rates for many awards, but it does not list a specific classification for stenographers. This uncertainty is why the salary index is a useful tool: it lets you compare any known pay figure to the national line.

Industry benchmarks

Stenographers work in three main industries, each with a different salary profile. Using the industries data from the salary index:

• Administrative and Support Services: This sector includes court reporting services. The industry index is not published separately for this sub-sector, but the broader “Administrative and Support Services” index is likely below 100, perhaps around 80–90. A stenographer earning $1,500 per week would have an index of 72.
• Public Administration and Safety: Government-employed stenographers may earn closer to the public sector average. The national index for public administration is around 100. A full-time stenographer in a court might earn $1,800 per week, index 86.
• Information Media and Telecommunications: This includes television captioning. The industry index is about 110. A captioner earning $2,000 per week would have an index of 96.

These are estimates, but they show that a stenographer salary can range from below average to near the national line, depending on the employer and experience.

Using the salary index to understand pay

The Salary Index expresses any yearly gross salary as a number where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 annualised from May 2026). For example, the national minimum wage of $52,255 per year gives an index of 48.2. To find where a stenographer salary sits, you divide the annual gross pay by $108,352 and multiply by 100.

If a stenographer earns $75,000 per year (about $1,442 per week), the index is 69.2. If they earn $90,000 (about $1,731 per week), the index is 83.1. These are plausible figures for experienced court reporters in capital cities. By comparison, the state indices vary: New South Wales is 101.2, Victoria 98.0, Western Australia 106.9, and Tasmania 88.6. A stenographer in Sydney might earn more than one in Hobart, but the index adjusts for location.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of the salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a stenographer earning $75,000 would have $9,000 paid into super. For tax, a resident earning $75,000 in 2026–27 pays about $13,717 in income tax plus a 2% Medicare levy ($1,500), leaving a take-home of roughly $59,783. That is about $1,150 per week. The salary index for the gross pay is 69.2, but after tax the spending power is lower.

How to find a specific stenographer salary

Because median earnings are not published, the best approach is to:

1. Check the relevant award using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides.
2. Look at job advertisements for court reporters or captioners in your state.
3. Use the Salary Index to compare any offer to the national line.
4. Consider enterprise agreements if you work for a large court reporting firm.

The states page can also help you adjust for location. For example, the ACT has an index of 109.9, so stenographers there may earn more than the national average.

Summary

A stenographer salary in Australia is uncertain due to limited official data. The occupation is small and part-time heavy. Based on award rates and industry benchmarks, a full-time stenographer likely earns between $1,200 and $1,800 per week, giving a salary index of 58 to 86. That is below the national average of 100 but above the minimum wage index of 48.2. For the most accurate figure, consult the relevant award or employer agreement.

FAQs

What is the average stenographer salary in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for machine shorthand reporters (the official occupation name for stenographers) because the sample size is too small. Based on available data, the occupation has 1,400 workers, 58% part-time, and a median age of 49. Without published earnings, the best estimate comes from award minimum rates. If a stenographer is covered by a clerical award, the minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (national minimum wage). A full-time stenographer earning that rate would gross about $1,005 per week, giving a salary index of 48.2. However, experienced stenographers in court reporting or captioning likely earn more, possibly in the range of $1,500–$1,800 per week, which would place the index between 72 and 86.

Which award covers stenographers in Australia?

There is no single modern award specifically for stenographers or machine shorthand reporters. Coverage depends on the employer and industry. Common awards that may apply include the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 for those working in administrative services, or the Professional Employees Award 2020 for those in media and telecommunications. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides list minimum rates for each award, but you need to check the classification that matches the duties. For example, a stenographer working for a court reporting firm might be classified as a Level 3 or 4 clerical employee. Always confirm with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

How does a stenographer salary compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark is $2,083.70 per week (index 100). For stenographers, if we assume a full-time weekly salary of $1,500 (a reasonable estimate for an experienced court reporter), the salary index would be about 72. This is below the national average but above the national minimum wage index of 48.2. By industry, stenographers often work in Administrative and Support Services (index likely below 100) or Information Media and Telecommunications (index around 110). So a stenographer salary can vary widely. Using the Salary Index, you can compare any pay figure to the national line.