Office administrator salary and the national average
There is no single published figure for an office administrator salary in Australia. The role is broad, covering everything from reception and data entry to office management. To understand where this pay sits against the national full-time average, we look at two reliable sources: the Fair Work Clerks Private Sector Award and the ABS Employee Earnings survey.
Award minimums for office administrators
Most office administrators are classified under the Clerks Private Sector Award (MA000002). The award sets minimum weekly and hourly rates for different skill levels. From 1 July 2026, a Level 3 clerk (the typical classification for an experienced administrator) earns at least $1,182.10 per week, or $31.11 per hour. A Level 4 clerk, which may cover more senior or specialised roles, earns $1,241.40 per week ($32.67 per hour). These are legal minimums; many employers pay above the award.
Occupation medians from the ABS
The ABS Employee Earnings survey for August 2025 reports median hourly earnings for the occupation group "Clerical and Administrative Workers" at $41.40 per hour. This is a broader category that includes office administrators, receptionists, and other clerical staff. The median weekly earnings for all employees in that group are not separately published, but the overall median for all employees is $1,425 per week, and for full-time employees it is $1,741 per week.
How it compares to the national full-time average
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week. That works out to about $108,352 per year. This is the line on our site. The award minimums for office administrators are well below this figure, while the occupation median hourly rate of $41.40 suggests a typical full-time weekly pay of around $1,573 (38 hours × $41.40), which is still below the national average. Place a salary on the line to see where your pay sits.
State and territory differences
Full-time average earnings vary across Australia. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest state average at about $119,090 per year, while Tasmania is lowest at about $96,008. Office administrator salaries tend to follow these regional patterns, with higher pay in Canberra and lower pay in Hobart. States and territories provides more detail.
Tax and take-home pay
For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. A Medicare levy of 2% applies, though some people may be eligible for reductions. An office administrator earning the award minimum of about $61,500 per year (Level 3) would pay roughly $9,600 in tax plus the Medicare levy, leaving around $51,900 after tax. Guides has more on tax and salary.
Where to find more information
For a detailed breakdown of salaries by occupation, see Job medians. For industry comparisons, visit Industry medians. The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year (May and November), and the Employee Earnings survey is released annually. Fair Work updates award rates each July. Our How the figures are set page explains the methodology behind these numbers.
Key takeaways
- Office administrator salaries are not published as a single figure, but award minimums and occupation medians provide useful benchmarks.
- The national full-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).
- The Clerks Private Sector Award minimum for a Level 3 office administrator is $1,182.10 per week ($31.11 per hour) from 1 July 2026.
- The median hourly rate for clerical and administrative workers is $41.40 (August 2025).
- Actual salaries vary by experience, location, and employer. About this site explains how we compile these comparisons.