WHS officer salary: awards, minimum wage, and what the index shows

What is a WHS officer and how is their salary set?

A WHS (work health and safety) officer – also called an OHS adviser or safety inspector – helps workplaces comply with safety laws, assess risks, train staff, and investigate incidents. Their salary is not pinned to a single number because it depends heavily on which award (if any) covers them, the industry they work in, and their level of responsibility.

This guide explains how awards and the national minimum wage shape a whs officer salary, and where typical pay sits against the national line using the Salary Index.

Awards versus the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255. That gives an index of 48.2 – well below the national line of 100 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352). But very few WHS officers are paid at the bare minimum. Most are covered by a modern award or are award-free and negotiate higher.

Fair Work Ombudsman explains that WHS officers may be covered by an industry award if their employer operates in a defined industry. For example:

• Manufacturing Award – common for WHS officers in factories
• Health Services Award – for those in hospitals or aged care
• Mining Award – for resource sector roles
• Clerks Award – if the role is mainly clerical and administrative

If no industry award applies, the Miscellaneous Award may cover them, or they may be award-free. Award-free employees are only entitled to the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards, but many are professionals with degrees and can bargain above that floor.

Award classifications set minimum hourly rates. For instance, the entry-level award floor (the lowest adult rate in any modern award) is $25.74 per hour. But a WHS officer classified at a higher level under the Manufacturing Award might earn $30–$35 per hour. The exact rate depends on the classification level, which is tied to qualifications and duties.

What the data says about WHS officer pay

Jobs and Skills Australia publishes earnings data for occupations. For Occupational Health and Safety Advisers (ANZSCO 251312), median weekly earnings are not available – the ABS suppresses the figure because the sample size is too small or the standard error is too high. That tells us there is no single reliable number for the occupation as a whole.

However, a related occupation – Safety Inspectors (ANZSCO 3126) – has published data. Their median full-time weekly earnings are $2,382, which annualises to about $123,864. Against the national line of $108,352, that gives an index of roughly 114.4 – above average. Safety Inspectors work mainly in public administration, professional services, and construction. They tend to be more experienced and often work for regulators or large companies.

For most WHS officers, especially those early in their career or in lower-risk industries, pay is likely to sit between the national minimum wage index (48.2) and the Safety Inspector index (114.4). A mid-level WHS officer in a hospital under the Health Services Award might earn around $80,000–$95,000, which would be an index of 74–88. A senior adviser in mining could earn $130,000+ (index 120+).

How the Salary Index helps compare

The Salary Index works by dividing gross annual earnings by the national line ($108,352) and multiplying by 100. An index of 100 means you earn exactly the national average for full-time adult ordinary-time workers. An index of 50 means half that; 150 means 50% more.

For a WHS officer, the index can vary widely:

• National minimum wage: index 48.2
• Entry-level award floor: index ~49.5 (based on $25.74/hr)
• Typical award-covered WHS officer: index 70–90
• Safety Inspector median: index 114.4
• Senior WHS manager in mining: index 130+

This range shows why it is misleading to quote a single figure for a whs officer salary. The award or agreement that applies to you is the biggest factor.

State and industry variations

Where you work also matters. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9 (annualised $115,825), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). A WHS officer in WA’s mining sector will likely earn more than one in TAS’s public service, even under similar awards.

Industries also shift the index. Mining has an index of 154.7, professional services 114.7, health care 97.8, and retail trade 75.9. A WHS officer in mining will almost certainly earn above the national line; one in retail may be closer to the award floor.

Super, tax, and take-home pay

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your gross salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a WHS officer earning $100,000 gets $12,000 in super. That is not included in the Salary Index, which uses gross ordinary-time earnings only.

For take-home pay, resident tax rates for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) are:

• $0–$18,200: nil
• $18,201–$45,000: 15%
• $45,001–$135,000: 30%
• $135,001–$190,000: 37%
• Above $190,000: 45%

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A WHS officer on $85,000 would pay about $17,467 in tax plus $1,700 Medicare, taking home roughly $65,833. That is a guide, not advice.

Key takeaways

• A whs officer salary is not a fixed number; it depends on award coverage, industry, and experience.
• The national minimum wage sets a floor (index 48.2), but most WHS officers earn above that.
• Safety Inspectors (a related role) earn a median of $2,382/week (index 114.4).
• Use the industries and states pages to see how location and sector affect pay.
• For award-specific rates, check the pay guides or the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

Understanding where your salary sits on the index helps you benchmark against the national line and negotiate with confidence.