Sommelier salary and the national line
A sommelier salary in Australia is not a single figure. It depends on the venue, your experience, the hours you work, and whether you are covered by an enterprise agreement or the award. The national full-time adult average – the line this site uses – is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. That figure is the starting point for every salary on Average line. A sommelier on the award minimum sits well below that line, but penalty rates, tips, and location can move the figure closer to – or even above – the national average.
The award floor for sommeliers
Under the Fair Work Hospitality Industry (General) Award (MA000009), the base rate for a full-time sommelier (classification L3) is $27.97 per hour from 1 July 2026. That works out to $1,062.86 a week on a 38-hour week, or about $55,269 a year before tax. Casual sommeliers receive a 25% loading, making the rate $34.96 per hour. These are minimum weekday rates; evening, weekend, and public holiday penalties are paid on top, and overtime attracts higher rates. The Tavro salary guide for sommeliers confirms these award figures and notes that actual pay varies by venue and experience – there is not yet enough data to publish a reliable median for sommelier roles.
How the sommelier award compares to national benchmarks
The national full-time adult average of $108,352 is more than double the award minimum for a sommelier. But that average includes all full-time occupations, many of which have higher base rates. The all-employees median weekly earnings from the ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) is $1,436 a week, or about $74,672 a year – still above the award sommelier figure. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 a year on 38 hours, so the sommelier award rate is only slightly above the minimum wage. However, sommeliers in fine-dining venues or with strong wine knowledge often negotiate above-award salaries, and tips can add significantly to take-home pay.
State differences and the sommelier market
Where you work matters. The ABS publishes full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings by state, and these vary considerably. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at about $119,090 a year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825 and New South Wales at $109,658. Tasmania has the lowest at $96,008. A sommelier in a high-paying state like WA or the ACT may find that venues offer higher base rates to attract talent, especially in resource-rich regions where hospitality wages are pushed up by competition. Conversely, a sommelier in Tasmania or South Australia may rely more on penalty rates and tips to reach the national line. Place a salary on the line to see how your own pay compares to the national average and your state’s average.
Penalty rates, tips, and total compensation
Hospitality awards include penalty rates for evenings, weekends, and public holidays. A sommelier working Friday and Saturday nights, for example, can earn 125% to 150% of the base rate, and public holidays can be 200% or more. Tips are another factor – while not guaranteed, they can add several thousand dollars a year in busy venues. The award also requires superannuation contributions (currently 11.5% of ordinary time earnings). When you add penalties and tips, a sommelier’s total compensation can approach or exceed the national full-time average, especially in high-end restaurants in Sydney or Melbourne.
Placing your sommelier salary on the line
If you are a sommelier and want to see where your pay sits against the national full-time average, you can use the tool on this site. Enter your annual salary before tax, and it will show you the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the ABS average. The line updates twice a year when the ABS releases new Average Weekly Earnings data (May and November). For a broader view, explore States and territories to see how your state’s average compares, or check Job medians for other hospitality roles. Remember that the award minimum is a floor, not a ceiling – your actual sommelier salary may be higher depending on your venue, experience, and the penalties you earn.