Admin assistant salary in Australia
An admin assistant (or administrative assistant) is a common role in Australian workplaces, handling tasks such as scheduling, correspondence, data entry, and office support. Because the role is so widespread, pay can vary significantly depending on the industry, location, and the employer. However, a large number of admin assistants are covered by the Clerks Private Sector Award, which sets minimum rates of pay.
Award rates for admin assistants
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for the Clerks Private Sector Award. The guide, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, lists weekly and hourly rates for various classification levels. For example:
- Level 1 year 1: $1,024.70 per week ($26.97 per hour)
- Level 1 year 2: $1,073.10 per week
- Level 1 year 3: $1,106.20 per week
- Level 2 year 1: $1,119.10 per week
- Level 2 year 2: $1,139.90 per week
- Level 3: $1,182.10 per week
- Level 4: $1,241.40 per week
- Level 5: $1,291.80 per week
These are minimum rates. Many admin assistants are classified at Level 2 or Level 3, depending on their duties and experience. The award also includes higher rates for shift work, overtime, and penalty rates.
Comparison to the national full-time average
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year. For May 2026, the seasonally adjusted full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70. That works out to about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). This is the figure used by this site as the national line.
Even the highest Level 5 award rate of $1,291.80 per week (about $67,174 a year) is well below that average. The full-time median earnings (from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, August 2025) are about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 a year. So a typical admin assistant on award rates is likely to earn less than the median full-time worker.
For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week, which is about $52,255 a year. The lowest award rate for an admin assistant (Level 1 year 1) is slightly above that minimum.
State and territory differences
Full-time average earnings vary by state and territory, according to the ABS. The on-site notes show:
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
Admin assistants in higher‑paying states like Western Australia or the ACT may see higher wages, but award rates are national. Any difference comes from above‑award payments or different industry mixes.
Where to find more detail
If you want to see how your salary compares to others in similar roles, the Job medians page on this site provides median earnings for various occupations. For a deeper look at how the figures are calculated, see How the figures are set. You can also Place a salary on the line to see where it sits relative to the national average.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, the resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. A Medicare levy of 2% applies, though some may be eligible for reductions. An admin assistant earning $60,000 a year would fall into the 30% bracket plus Medicare levy.
Conclusion
The admin assistant salary in Australia is typically set by the Clerks Private Sector Award, with minimum weekly rates between about $1,024 and $1,291. These rates are below the national full‑time average of $2,083.70 per week. While many admin assistants earn above the award, the role generally sits below the median full‑time earnings. For a precise comparison, use the tools on this site.