Architecture salary: understanding the award minimums and how they stack up
If you are looking at an architecture salary in Australia, the most authoritative source for minimum pay is the Architects Award 2020, published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award sets the legal floor for architects, graduates, and students of architecture. The rates shown here apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, following a 4.75% increase to modern award minimums.
Award minimums for graduates and registered architects
The award classifies architecture employees into levels. For a Level 1 Graduate of Architecture, the minimum annual salary is:
- Entry: $68,191
- 1st pay point: $71,798
- 2nd pay point: $75,401
An Experienced Graduate of Architecture (Level 2a) earns at least $78,838 per year.
A Registered Architect (Level 2b) has three pay points:
- Entry: $78,838
- 1st pay point: $81,276
- 2nd pay point: $83,716
These figures are the minimum weekly rates converted to annual using the award’s formula (multiply by 52). The award also specifies hourly rates: for example, an entry-level graduate earns $34.40 per hour, and a registered architect at the top step earns $42.23 per hour. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual hourly rate to $52.79 for the highest registered architect step.
How architecture award rates compare to the national average
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings, as measured by the ABS in May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week. That works out to about $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52. This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses as the benchmark.
All architecture award minimums fall below this national average. Even the top award rate for a registered architect ($83,716) is about 23% less than the national average. The entry-level graduate rate ($68,191) is about 37% below the national average.
It is important to remember that the award sets a minimum, not a typical or median salary. Many architects, especially those in private practice or with several years of experience, earn above the award. The ABS does not publish a separate average for the architecture occupation, but the broader category of Professional, Scientific and Technical Services had a full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,389.60 in May 2026 (about $124,259 per year). That industry group includes architecture, engineering, legal, and accounting services.
State-by-state differences
Where you work also affects your pay. The ABS provides state-level full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings. The on-site notes give the annualised figures:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
Architecture award rates are national, so the same minimum applies everywhere. But actual salaries tend to be higher in states with stronger economies and higher average earnings, such as Western Australia and the ACT. For a detailed look at how each state compares, see States and territories.
Medians and the minimum wage
For a fuller picture, consider the median full-time salary. According to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025), the full-time adult median is about $90,532 per year. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. The architecture award minimums sit below the full-time median, except the top registered architect rate ($83,716) which is about 92% of the median.
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, which annualises to about $52,255 on a 38-hour week. All architecture award rates are well above the national minimum wage, as expected for a professional occupation.
Tax considerations
If you are earning an architecture salary, the 2026–27 resident tax rates apply: tax-free threshold up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% applies to most taxpayers. For example, a graduate architect earning $68,191 would pay about $11,067 in tax plus $1,364 in Medicare levy, leaving a take-home pay of about $55,760.
Where to find more information
For a deeper dive into how salaries are set and what factors influence them, visit How the figures are set. If you are considering a career in architecture or want to benchmark your current pay, the Guides section offers practical advice. You can also explore Job medians and Industry medians for comparisons across different fields.
Summary
Architecture salary in Australia, as defined by the Architects Award 2020, starts at $68,191 for a graduate and reaches $83,716 for a registered architect at the top award step. These are minimums, and actual earnings can be higher, especially in states like Western Australia and the ACT. Compared to the national full-time average of $108,352, architecture award rates are lower, but they provide a solid foundation for a professional career. Always check the latest award rates and consider your experience, location, and employer when negotiating your salary.