What is the average personal trainer salary in Australia?

There is no single published average for personal trainers. The ABS does not break out this occupation in its Average Weekly Earnings survey. However, the Fitness Industry Award 2020 sets minimum rates for different classification levels. For a Level 3 personal trainer (the typical entry-level qualified role), the minimum weekly rate from 1 July 2026 is $1,062.90, which works out to about $55,271 a year for a full-time employee working 38 hours a week. Actual earnings can be higher depending on experience, employer, location, and whether the trainer works on commission or is self-employed.

How does a personal trainer salary compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The minimum award rate for a Level 3 personal trainer is roughly half that. Even the highest classification in the award (Level 7) pays $1,325.70 per week (about $68,936 a year), still well below the national average. Many personal trainers work part-time or casual hours, which further reduces annual earnings. The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 a year, so a full-time personal trainer on the award minimum would also sit below that median.

What are the minimum award rates for personal trainers under the Fitness Industry Award?

The Fitness Industry Award 2020 (MA000094) covers personal trainers. Minimum weekly rates for full-time adult employees from 1 July 2026 are: Level 1 $978.10, Level 2 $1,004.90, Level 3 $1,062.90, Level 3A $1,119.10, Level 4 $1,165.10, Level 4A $1,221.10, Level 5 $1,287.20, Level 6 $1,276.00, Level 7 $1,325.70. The classification depends on qualifications and duties. For example, a personal trainer with a Certificate III in Fitness is typically Level 2 or 3, while a trainer with a Diploma may be Level 4 or higher. These are minimums; many employers pay above award.

Personal trainer salary: How it compares to the Australian full-time average

Personal trainer salary and the national average

If you are a personal trainer or considering the career, you probably want to know how your pay compares with the typical Australian full-time worker. The short answer is that award minimums for personal trainers are significantly lower than the national full-time average, but actual earnings can vary widely depending on experience, employer, location, and whether you work on commission or run your own business.

The national full-time average

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. In the May 2026 release, full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70. That works out to about $108,352 a year if you multiply by 52 weeks. This figure is the line on this site – the benchmark against which we compare individual salaries.

For context, the full-time median (the middle point of all full-time earnings) is about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week – about $52,255 a year.

Where personal trainer award rates sit

Personal trainers are covered by the Fitness Industry Award 2020 (MA000094), which sets minimum pay rates for different classification levels. The award is updated each year, usually from 1 July. The latest consolidated award (effective 1 July 2026) lists these minimum weekly rates for full-time adult employees:

Level 1: $978.10 ($25.74 per hour)
Level 2: $1,004.90 ($26.44 per hour)
Level 3: $1,062.90 ($27.97 per hour)
Level 3A: $1,119.10 ($29.45 per hour)
Level 4: $1,165.10 ($30.66 per hour)
Level 4A: $1,221.10 ($32.13 per hour)
Level 5: $1,287.20 ($33.87 per hour)
Level 6: $1,276.00 ($33.58 per hour)
Level 7: $1,325.70 ($34.89 per hour)

A newly qualified personal trainer with a Certificate III in Fitness is typically classified at Level 2 or Level 3. That means the minimum annual salary for a full-time Level 3 personal trainer is about $55,271 – roughly half the national full-time average. Even the top award level (Level 7) pays only about $68,936 a year, still well below the average.

Factors that push pay above the award

Many personal trainers earn more than the award minimum. Those working for large gym chains or high-end studios may receive above-award rates. Trainers who are self-employed or work on commission can earn significantly more, especially if they build a strong client base. Location also matters: the ABS state averages show that full-time workers in the Australian Capital Territory earn about $119,090 a year, while in Tasmania the average is about $96,008. Personal trainers in higher-paying states may command higher wages.

How to compare your salary

If you are a personal trainer and want to see where your pay sits, you can place your salary on the line using this site’s tool. It will show your weekly and hourly rate (based on a 38-hour week) and the distance from the national full-time average. You can also explore job medians for other occupations or industry medians for the fitness and recreation industry.

The role of the award and the minimum wage

The Fitness Industry Award is a modern award under the Fair Work system. It applies to employers and employees in the fitness industry, including personal trainers, gym instructors, and group fitness instructors. The award includes minimum rates, penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work, and allowances. The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission, is a safety net for employees not covered by an award. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, which is slightly below the Level 2 award rate.

Tax considerations

If you earn a personal trainer salary, remember that the amount you take home depends on tax. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. A 2% Medicare levy applies to most taxpayers, though some may be eligible for reductions. A personal trainer earning $55,000 a year would pay about $7,867 in tax plus the Medicare levy, leaving around $47,000 after tax.

Where to find more information

For official award rates, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website and search for the Fitness Industry Award 2020. The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings and Employee Earnings data. The ATO provides tax tables and the Medicare levy details. This site offers guides on understanding salary comparisons and how the figures are set.

Summary

A personal trainer salary on the award minimum is well below the national full-time average of $108,352 a year. However, many trainers earn more through experience, location, or self-employment. Use the tools on this site to see how your own pay compares.