What is the HEW 7 salary under the award?

The HEW 7 salary is defined by the Higher Education Industry – General Staff Award 2020. The award sets minimum weekly rates for each classification level and step. For HEW 7, the minimum rate as of the latest annual wage review is not published here because it varies by step and year. You can find the exact figure using the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool or by checking the award itself. Many universities pay above the award minimum, so the actual salary may be higher.

How does the HEW 7 salary compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. A HEW 7 salary at the award minimum would likely be below this average, but many universities set HEW 7 salaries above the award rate, sometimes matching or exceeding the national average. The comparison depends on the specific step and employer.

Can the HEW 7 salary vary by state?

Yes, the HEW 7 salary can vary by state because the award applies nationally but universities may adjust salaries based on local market conditions. For example, the full-time average in Western Australia is about $115,825, while in Tasmania it is about $96,008. A HEW 7 employee in WA might receive a higher salary to remain competitive, whereas in Tasmania the same classification might be closer to the award minimum. The award itself does not have state-based rates, but enterprise agreements or individual arrangements can reflect state differences.

HEW 7 salary: How the award classification compares to the national full-time average

HEW 7 salary and the national full-time average

The HEW 7 classification is a common pay grade for professional and administrative staff in Australian universities. It falls under the Higher Education Industry – General Staff Award 2020, which sets minimum wages for each level. But where does a HEW 7 salary sit against the national full-time average? The answer depends on the award step, the employer, and the state.

The national line: $108,352 a year

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year. For May 2026, the full-time adult ordinary-time average was $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52, that is about $108,352 a year. This is the figure this site uses as the national line. It is an average of all full-time employees across all industries and occupations, not a median or a minimum.

By comparison, the full-time median (from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, August 2025) is about $90,532 a year. The all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week, which works out to about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the same review.

Where the HEW 7 salary fits

The HEW 7 salary is not a single published figure. The award has multiple steps within each classification. For example, HEW 7 may have steps 1 through 4 or more, each with a different minimum weekly rate. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides the Pay and Conditions Tool to look up the exact minimum for a given step. Many universities, however, pay above the award rate. Enterprise agreements or individual contracts often set HEW 7 salaries that are higher, sometimes well above the national average.

If a HEW 7 employee is paid at the award minimum, their salary is likely below the national full-time average of $108,352. But if they are at a higher step or receive market loading, the salary can match or exceed the average. The classification itself does not guarantee a specific dollar amount; it only sets a floor.

Why state matters

The national average hides significant variation between states. The ABS data for May 2026 shows:

New South Wales: about $109,658
Victoria: about $106,137
Queensland: about $106,064
South Australia: about $102,450
Western Australia: about $115,825
Tasmania: about $96,008
Northern Territory: about $103,173
Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090

A HEW 7 employee in Western Australia or the ACT is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania or South Australia, even under the same award classification. Universities in higher-cost states often adjust salaries to attract and retain staff. The award itself does not have state-based rates, but enterprise agreements can reflect local conditions.

Medians and minimums provide context

The full-time median of $90,532 gives a better sense of the typical full-time salary than the average, which is pulled up by high earners. The all-employees median of $74,100 includes part-time and casual workers. The national minimum wage of $52,255 is the legal floor for award-free employees. Award-covered employees, including HEW staff, have minimums that are generally higher than the national minimum wage.

How the figures are set

The ABS calculates Average Weekly Earnings from a survey of employers. It is not a median and not a minimum. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage and award rates each year. The HEW 7 salary under the award is determined by the classification structure in the Higher Education Industry – General Staff Award 2020. For the most up-to-date rates, check the Fair Work website or your university’s enterprise agreement.

Putting your salary on the line

If you know your HEW 7 salary, you can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average, the median, and the minimum wage. You can also explore states and territories to see how your location affects the comparison.

Summary

The HEW 7 salary is not a fixed number. It depends on the award step, the employer’s enterprise agreement, and the state. The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark, but your actual HEW 7 salary may be below or above it. For precise figures, consult the award or your employer’s pay schedule.