Beauty therapist salary: where it stands against the national full-time average
Minimum award rates for beauty therapists
The Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, as updated to 1 July 2026, sets minimum pay for beauty therapists based on qualifications and experience. A beauty therapist holding a Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy is classified at Level 4, with a minimum weekly rate of $1,139.90 for full-time work (38 ordinary hours). A therapist with a Diploma in Beauty Therapy reaches Level 6, at $1,215.90 per week. Hourly rates range from $30.00 (Level 4) to $32.00 (Level 6). Apprentices and trainees receive lower percentages of the standard rate.
How these minimums compare to the national full-time average
The Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70. This translates to about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). The award minimum for a Level 6 beauty therapist ($1,215.90 per week) is roughly $63,227 per year, or about 58% of the national full-time average. Even the highest award classification falls well short of the average.
Actual earnings may be higher
The award rates are legal minimums. Many beauty therapists earn above these rates, particularly those with several years of experience, those working in upmarket salons, or those who receive commissions, tips, or bonuses. The ABS does not publish a specific average salary for beauty therapists as a separate occupation in its Employee Earnings and Hours survey. However, the all-employees median weekly earnings are $1,436 (about $74,672 per year), and the full-time median is about $1,887 per week ($98,124 per year). Beauty therapists' earnings likely fall below these medians given the award rates, but without a published figure, this is an estimate.
State and territory variations
The national full-time average varies by state and territory. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Tasmania has the lowest at about $96,008. Beauty therapists in states with higher overall averages may see higher market rates, but award rates are national. Actual pay may adjust to local labour market conditions. For a detailed breakdown, see States and territories.
Other considerations
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year. The beauty therapist award rates are above the minimum wage, but not by a large margin for entry-level positions. For apprentices, rates are lower (e.g., first-year beauty therapy apprentice at 50% of the standard rate, $559.55 per week). The award also includes penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work, which can boost take-home pay.
Conclusion
A beauty therapist's salary, at award minimums, is significantly below the national full-time average of $108,352. Actual earnings may be higher but are not published by the ABS. For a personalised comparison, you can Place a salary on the line or explore Job medians for other occupations.