Flight attendant salary and the national average
Flight attendant pay in Australia is set by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020. The minimum weekly rate for a full-time cabin crew member is $1,097.40, or $28.88 per hour. This is the base before allowances. Full-time employees under the award are rostered between 1,716 and 1,872 hours per year, less than the standard 38-hour week (1,976 hours).
Flying allowances boost earnings
On top of the base rate, flight attendants receive a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour. The award explains that if a crew member averages 90 block hours in a month, the additional pay is $1,656 per month. A component of this allowance is a daily travelling allowance (DTA) of $6.88 per block hour, calculated from the ATO travel allowance table. This DTA is a reimbursement for meals and incidentals and may not be taxable if substantiated.
How it compares to the full-time average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 ). The base award rate of $1,097.40 is roughly half that. However, with flying allowances, total weekly earnings can approach or exceed the average, depending on block hours. The ABS does not publish a specific average salary for flight attendants, so a precise comparison is not available.
State and territory differences
Full-time average earnings vary by state. For example, the national average is $2,083.70, but in Western Australia it is $2,227.40 and in Tasmania $1,846.30. Flight attendant pay under the award is national, but actual earnings may differ by airline and location. See States and territories for more.
Tax considerations for flight attendants
The ATO provides guidance for flight attendants on income and deductions. The flying allowance includes a DTA component that may be tax-free if you spend the amount on meals and incidentals while away from home. You must keep records. The tax-free threshold for 2026–27 is $18,200, with rates up to 45% plus Medicare levy.
Minimum wage and award increases
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week. The Aircraft Cabin Crew Award minimum of $28.88 is above that. Award rates rose by 4.75% in the latest adjustment. For more on how rates are set, see How the figures are set.
Where to place your salary on the line
If you are a flight attendant, you can compare your pay against the national average using our tool. Place a salary on the line to see how your weekly pay compares to the full-time average, medians, and minimum wage. The full-time median is about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025).
Summary
Flight attendant salary under the award is based on a low base rate plus significant flying allowances. While the base is below the national average, total earnings can be competitive with enough block hours. For a precise figure, check your own pay against the line.