Emirates cabin crew salary and the national average
When comparing an Emirates cabin crew salary to the Australian full-time average, the first challenge is that no official, publicly available figure exists for Emirates in the provided sources. The Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 from Fair Work sets minimum rates for cabin crew in Australia, but Emirates is a foreign carrier and may operate under different arrangements. This article examines where cabin crew pay typically sits relative to the national line and what factors could move it above or below.
National benchmarks
The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings stand at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the line used on Place a salary on the line. The full-time median is lower at about $90,532, while the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
State averages vary: Western Australia leads at about $115,825, followed by the ACT at $119,090, while Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. See States and territories for full details.
Cabin crew award rates
Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 (MA000047), the minimum weekly rate for a full-time cabin crew member is $1,097.40, or $28.88 per hour. A cabin crew supervisor on narrow-bodied aircraft with four or more crew gets $1,280.40 per week, and a cabin crew manager on wide-bodied aircraft gets $1,495.50. In addition, a flying allowance of $18.40 per hour is paid for scheduled block hours. The award notes that a typical roster of 120 hours includes about 90 block hours, adding $1,656 per month. Part of this allowance is a daily travelling allowance calculated from ATO travel allowance rates.
These award rates are well below the national full-time average. Even with the flying allowance, a cabin crew member earning the minimum would need to work significant overtime or receive additional allowances to approach the average. Overtime is paid at 100% above the hourly rate for hours over 1,872 per year.
Where Emirates fits
Emirates cabin crew based in Australia may be covered by an enterprise agreement rather than the award. Enterprise agreements can set higher pay and conditions. Additionally, Emirates is known for offering tax-free salary components, accommodation allowances, and other benefits for crew based overseas. However, for crew based in Australia, Australian tax laws apply. The available sources do not provide a specific Emirates salary figure, so a direct comparison is not possible.
What would move this pay above or below the average
For any cabin crew role, the key factors that push pay above the national average include:
- Flying allowances and penalty rates: The award flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour adds significantly. Overtime at double time can boost earnings.
- Seniority and classification: Supervisors and managers earn higher base rates.
- Enterprise agreements: Many airlines negotiate above-award pay.
- International allowances: For airlines like Emirates, allowances for meals, accommodation, and travel can increase total compensation.
Conversely, pay may fall below the average if the employee is casual (award casual loading of 25% applies but no leave entitlements), works fewer hours, or is on the minimum award rate without significant flying hours.
Conclusion
Without a published Emirates cabin crew salary, we can only compare the award minimums to the national average. The award minimum is about half the national full-time average, but actual earnings for experienced crew on international airlines often exceed the award. For a precise comparison, consult enterprise agreements or salary surveys. For more on how salaries are measured, see How the figures are set.