Air hostess salary and the national average
When people search for an "air hostess salary" in Australia, they are usually looking for a typical figure for flight attendants or cabin crew. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a specific average for this occupation, but the legal minimum is set out in the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 from Fair Work. This article compares that award minimum to the national full-time average and explains what can move an air hostess’s pay above or below the line.
The award minimum for cabin crew
Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, a full-time cabin crew member must be paid at least $1,097.40 per week, or $28.88 per hour. That works out to about $57,065 a year on a 38-hour week. This rate applies from 1 July 2026, after a 4.75% increase to award wages. For comparison, the national minimum wage from the same date is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 a year. So the cabin crew minimum is slightly above the national minimum wage.
The award also includes higher rates for supervisors and managers. A cabin crew supervisor on a narrow-bodied aircraft with four or more crew earns a minimum of $1,280.40 per week ($33.69 per hour), and a cabin crew manager on a wide-bodied aircraft earns $1,495.50 per week ($39.36 per hour). These rates are still well below the national full-time average.
How flying allowances and overtime affect pay
The award requires employers to pay a flying allowance of $18.40 per hour for scheduled block hours. This is paid in addition to the minimum hourly rate. For a cabin crew member flying 20 block hours a week, the allowance adds $368 to their weekly pay, bringing total weekly earnings to about $1,465.40, or $76,201 a year. That is still below the national average but significantly higher than the base award rate.
Overtime is paid at 100% above the minimum hourly rate for any time worked beyond 1,872 hours in a year. This can substantially boost annual earnings for those who fly long hours. Casual cabin crew receive a 25% loading on the hourly rate instead of leave entitlements, which also lifts their hourly pay.
Comparing to the national full-time average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. This is the figure used as the line on this site. The award minimum for cabin crew is roughly half that. Even with flying allowances, a typical air hostess earning the award rate plus allowances may still fall short of the national average unless they work significant overtime or are on a higher classification.
However, many air hostesses are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above the award. Major airlines often have their own pay scales that reflect experience, base location, and aircraft type. Without a published average from the ABS, it is difficult to say where the typical air hostess salary sits. The Place a salary on the line tool lets you enter your own salary and see how it compares to the national average.
State variations
The national full-time average varies by state and territory. For example, the average in Western Australia is about $115,825 a year, while in Tasmania it is about $96,008. Air hostesses based in higher-paying states may find their salaries closer to the local average, but the award rates are national. Enterprise agreements may also vary by location. See the States and territories page for more detail.
Medians and the minimum wage
It is important to distinguish between averages and medians. The full-time median earnings are about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), and the all-employees median is about $74,100. These medians are lower than the average because high earners pull the average up. The award minimum for cabin crew is below both medians, meaning many air hostesses likely earn less than the typical Australian worker. However, those with seniority or extra flying hours may reach or exceed the median.
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 a year on 38 hours. The cabin crew award minimum is above that, but not by a large margin. For more on how these figures are set, see How the figures are set.
What would move an air hostess salary above the average?
To earn above the national full-time average of $108,352, an air hostess would need to combine a high base rate (e.g., as a cabin crew manager) with substantial flying hours and overtime. For example, a manager earning $39.36 per hour plus $18.40 flying allowance for 30 block hours a week would earn about $1,732.80 per week, or $90,105 a year, still below the average. Adding overtime at double time could push earnings higher. Those on enterprise agreements with higher base rates and allowances may reach or exceed the average.
Conversely, part-time or casual air hostesses working fewer hours will earn less. The award requires a minimum payment of four hours for casuals, but actual hours may be low. The all-employees average of $1,579.20 per week ($82,118 a year) is a better benchmark for those not working full-time.
Conclusion
While the ABS does not publish a specific air hostess salary, the Fair Work award provides a clear minimum. Most air hostesses likely earn above the award but below the national full-time average, unless they work extensive overtime or are in senior roles. The Job medians page may offer more context for related roles, and the Guides section has articles on how different industries compare. For a personalised comparison, use the Place a salary on the line tool.