Flight Attendant Salary Australia: Award Rates, State Differences, and the National Average
Flight attendant salaries in Australia are shaped by a combination of industry awards, airline policies, and geographic location. While the national full-time average provides a benchmark, the actual take-home pay for cabin crew can sit well below or occasionally above that line depending on hours worked, classification, and the state or territory where they are based.
The Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 Sets the Floor
The minimum pay for flight attendants is governed by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 [MA000047], a Fair Work Commission modern award that covers all employers of aircraft cabin crew in Australia. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time cabin crew member is $1,097.40, or $28.88 per hour. In addition, employees receive a flying allowance of $18.40 per scheduled block hour. A portion of that allowance – $6.88 per hour – is treated as a daily travel allowance for meals and incidentals, based on the ATO travel allowance table.
Higher classifications attract higher minimums:
- Cabin crew supervisor (narrow-bodied aircraft, 4 or more crew): $1,280.40 per week ($33.69 per hour)
- Cabin crew manager (wide-bodied aircraft): $1,495.50 per week ($39.36 per hour)
These award rates are the legal minimum. Many flight attendants, especially those on long-haul international routes or with seniority, earn above these figures through overtime, penalty rates, and enterprise agreements.
How Actual Earnings Compare to the National Line
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings stood at $2,083.70 in May 2026, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings release. That equates to about $108,352 per year. Even the highest award classification for a cabin crew manager ($1,495.50 per week) is about $588 below that average. However, the award does not capture the full picture: flying allowances, penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, and overtime can push total earnings higher.
Jobs and Skills Australia notes that only 36% of flight attendants work full-time hours, and the median weekly earnings for the occupation are not published due to data limitations. The all-employees median in Australia is about $74,100 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), and the full-time median is about $90,532. Given the high proportion of part-time work in this occupation, many flight attendants likely earn less than the full-time median.
Why State Matters
Flight attendant pay is set by a national award, but where you live and work influences your actual salary. Airlines have bases in different states, and the mix of domestic versus international flying, as well as the cost of living, can affect take-home pay. The ABS publishes state full-time averages that show significant variation:
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- South Australia: $102,450
- Tasmania: $96,008
A flight attendant based in Western Australia, where the state average is higher, may have more opportunities for overtime or higher-paying routes linked to the resources sector. Conversely, a crew member based in Tasmania faces a lower state average and potentially fewer international flights. The award itself does not vary by state, but the actual earnings opportunities do.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are progressive: nil up to $18,200, 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000, 30% on income up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. A flight attendant earning the award minimum of about $57,065 per year ($1,097.40 × 52) would fall into the 30% bracket, but after the tax-free threshold and offsets, the effective rate is lower. Those earning closer to the national average would face the 30% or 37% marginal rate.
Putting Your Salary on the Line
If you are a flight attendant and want to see where your pay sits against the national full-time average, you can place a salary on the line. The tool shows your weekly and hourly figures based on a 38-hour week, and how far you are from the ABS average of $2,083.70 per week. You can also explore states and territories to compare your location's average.
Summary
Flight attendant salaries in Australia start at the award minimum but can rise with experience, classification, and additional flying hours. The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark, but many cabin crew earn below that due to part-time work or lower award rates. State differences and airline-specific agreements further shift the figure. For the most accurate comparison, use the site's salary tool with your own weekly or annual pay.