Esthetician Salary in Australia: Where It Sits Against the National Average
If you are looking for an esthetician salary in Australia, the most reliable starting point is the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, which sets minimum pay for beauty therapists, including estheticians. This article compares those award rates with the national full-time average from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), so you can see where this occupation typically falls on the pay line.
Award Minimums for Estheticians
The Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (MA000005) covers employees in beauty services, including skin care, facials, waxing, and other esthetician duties. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rates for full-time adult employees (38 ordinary hours) are:
- Level 1: $1,056.80 per week ($27.81 per hour)
- Level 2: $1,081.00 per week ($28.45 per hour)
- Level 3: $1,119.10 per week ($29.45 per hour)
- Level 4: $1,139.90 per week ($30.00 per hour)
- Level 5: $1,174.00 per week ($30.89 per hour)
- Level 6: $1,215.90 per week ($32.00 per hour)
Most entry-level estheticians start at Level 1 or 2. These rates are set by Fair Work and apply nationally, though some employers may pay above the award.
How Esthetician Pay Compares to the National Average
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That works out to about $108,352 per year. Even the highest award rate for an esthetician ($1,215.90) is only about 58% of that average. In yearly terms, a Level 1 esthetician on award rates earns roughly $54,954 per year, while a Level 6 earns about $63,227 per year.
The gap is large because the national average includes many higher-paid occupations such as managers and professionals. Esthetician work is skilled but typically sits in a lower-paying industry. The all-employees median weekly earnings (including part-time) are $1,436 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), or about $74,672 per year. Even that median is above the top award rate for estheticians.
Factors That Move Esthetician Pay Above or Below the Line
Several factors can push an esthetician’s actual earnings above or below the award minimums:
- Experience and skill: Senior estheticians with advanced qualifications (e.g., dermal therapy) may be classified at higher award levels or negotiate above-award rates.
- Commission and tips: Some salons pay a base rate plus commission on products or services, which can lift total earnings.
- Location: Estheticians in the Australian Capital Territory or Western Australia may earn more due to higher cost of living and stronger local labour markets. The state full-time averages range from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the ACT.
- Full-time vs part-time: Many estheticians work part-time. The ABS reports that part-time employees earn a median of $769 per week, which is far below the full-time average. Part-time estheticians would likely earn even less.
- Enterprise agreements: Some large salons or chains have enterprise agreements that set higher minimum rates than the award.
Using the Site’s Pay Line
This site’s line is set at the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week. You can place a salary on the line to see how any wage compares. For an esthetician on the award minimum, the line would show a significant distance below the average. If you earn above award, you can enter your actual weekly or yearly pay to see where you stand.
For a broader view, explore states and territories to see how location affects pay, or check job medians for other roles. The guides section has more on how awards and enterprise agreements work.
Summary
Esthetician salaries in Australia are primarily governed by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award, with minimum weekly rates between $1,056.80 and $1,215.90. These are well below the national full-time average of $2,083.70. Actual earnings can be higher with experience, commission, or location, but the award provides a solid baseline. For the most accurate picture, compare your own pay using the site’s tools.