Team Leader Salary in Australia: How State and Industry Shape Your Pay

What is a team leader salary?

When you search for "team leader salary" in Australia, you are asking about the pay for someone who supervises a small group of workers, often in retail, hospitality, administration, or trades. Unlike a manager, a team leader usually works alongside their team and handles day-to-day coordination. Because the role exists across dozens of industries and award classifications, there is no single official figure. Instead, you need to look at how state and industry differences shape the pay.

The Salary Index helps by putting any pay figure against the national line. Index 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352, based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. If a team leader earns $1,500 per week, that is an index of about 72. If they earn $2,500 per week, the index is about 120. This lets you compare roles across Australia.

State differences in team leader pay

Where you work matters. The ABS publishes state-level earnings indexes that reflect the overall pay in each jurisdiction. For example:

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

A team leader in the ACT or WA is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania or SA, even under the same award, because of local labour market conditions and enterprise agreements. However, the minimum rates in modern awards are national. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides set the floor, but many employers pay above that to attract staff in high-cost states.

For a deeper look at how your state compares, see our states page.

Industry differences in team leader pay

The industry you work in has an even bigger impact. The ABS industry indexes show the range:

• Mining: index 154.7
• Professional, scientific and technical services: index 114.7
• Education and training: index 105.5
• Health care and social assistance: index 97.8
• Retail trade: index 75.9
• Accommodation and food services: index 72.5

A team leader in mining (say, a shift supervisor on a mine site) will earn far more than a team leader in a fast-food restaurant, even if both have similar responsibilities. The award classifications reflect this. For example, the General Retail Industry Award has a Team Leader classification at Level 4 or 5, with minimum rates around $25–$28 per hour as of 2026. In contrast, the Mining Industry Award has higher base rates, and many mine sites pay well above award via enterprise agreements.

To explore pay by sector, visit our industries page.

How awards and agreements set team leader pay

Most team leaders are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the minimum rates for each classification. For instance, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 includes a Team Leader classification for health professionals, with rates updated from 1 October 2026 following the gender-based undervaluation review. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides summarise these rates.

If your workplace has an enterprise agreement, the pay may be higher. The agreement must pass the Better Off Overall Test, meaning the team leader must be better off than under the award. You can find agreements on the Fair Work Commission's website.

The national minimum wage and team leader pay

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, index 48.2). This applies only to employees not covered by an award or agreement. Almost all team leaders are covered by an award, so their minimum is higher. For example, the Clerks – Private Sector Award has a Level 3 classification (often used for team leaders) at around $27–$29 per hour. Always check the specific award using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.

How the Salary Index works for team leaders

The index is your yearly gross ordinary-time earnings divided by the national line ($108,352) times 100. For example, a team leader earning $75,000 per year has an index of 69.2. One earning $130,000 has an index of 120.0. This helps you see where you sit relative to the average full-time adult worker. Remember, the index uses gross pay before tax and super. For take-home estimates, subtract tax (using the 2026–27 rates: nil to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above) and the 2% Medicare levy. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, but that is on top of your salary.

For a full explanation, see how the index works.

Putting it together: a concrete example

Imagine a team leader in a retail store in New South Wales. Under the General Retail Industry Award, the minimum rate for a Level 4 employee (team leader) is about $27.50 per hour. Working 38 hours a week, that is $1,045 per week, annualised $54,340, index 50.1. But many retailers pay above award, say $30 per hour, giving $1,140 per week, $59,280 annual, index 54.7. That is still below the national average. Now compare a team leader in a Perth mining operation: under an enterprise agreement, they might earn $50 per hour, $1,900 per week, $98,800 annual, index 91.2. The industry and state make a huge difference.

Key takeaways

• Team leader salary is not a fixed number; it depends on your award classification, industry, and state.
• Use the Salary Index to compare any pay figure against the national benchmark of $108,352.
• Check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides for your award's minimum rates.
• State indexes show where earnings are higher or lower; industry indexes show the range across sectors.
• Enterprise agreements often lift pay above award, especially in mining, construction, and professional services.

For more on how pay varies across Australia, browse our topics page.