UQ Salary Scales and the National Full-Time Average
The University of Queensland (UQ) sets its salary scales through the UQ Enterprise Agreement 2021–2026, which covers professional staff and professional research staff. The latest salary schedules effective from 11 July 2026 show annual rates for Higher Education Worker (HEW) levels 1 to 10. These figures are important for anyone considering a role at UQ or benchmarking their current pay.
How UQ Salaries Stack Up
The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the line used by Average line. UQ professional staff salaries range from $63,318.15 (HEW 1, point 1) to $148,862.37 (HEW 10, point 4). Most entry-level and mid-level positions fall below the national average, while senior roles (HEW 8 and above) exceed it.
For context, the Queensland full-time average is about $106,064 per year, slightly below the national figure. The public sector average (which includes universities) is higher: $2,263.10 per week, or about $117,681 per year. UQ salaries for HEW 7 and above generally align with or exceed the public sector average.
Detailed UQ Salary Bands (from 11 July 2026)
- HEW 1: $63,318 – $65,859
- HEW 2: $67,467 – $69,048
- HEW 3: $70,319 – $77,400
- HEW 4: $79,096 – $83,863
- HEW 5: $85,452 – $94,984
- HEW 6: $97,269 – $104,349
- HEW 7: $106,709 – $116,199
- HEW 8: $120,317 – $134,893
- HEW 9: $140,767 – $145,950
- HEW 10: $148,862 (single point)
These are full-time annual rates before superannuation. Casual hourly rates include a 25% loading. For example, a HEW 4 casual earns $52.27 per hour, while a HEW 10 casual earns $98.37 per hour.
Comparing to Other Benchmarks
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75%. UQ’s lowest salary (HEW 1) is well above the minimum wage, reflecting the university sector’s higher skill requirements.
The full-time median earnings (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) are about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. UQ HEW 4 and above exceed the full-time median, while HEW 1–3 are below it.
Tax Considerations
For the 2026–27 income 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. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. A UQ employee earning $108,352 (the national average) would fall in the 30% bracket plus Medicare levy.
State and Sector Context
Full-time averages by state (ABS, May 2026):
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
UQ is in Queensland, where the average is slightly below the national figure. However, UQ’s public sector status means its salaries are often compared to the public sector average of $117,681, which is higher than the all-sectors average.
Using the Average Line Tool
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. The tool also shows weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week. For more detail on how state averages differ, see the states and territories page.
Key Takeaways
- UQ salary scales range from about $63,000 to $149,000 per year.
- The national full-time average is about $108,352.
- Most UQ professional roles below HEW 7 are below the national average; HEW 7 and above are above.
- UQ salaries are set by an enterprise agreement and are reviewed periodically.
- The figures here are from the ABS and UQ’s official salary schedules. No precise figures have been invented.
For further reading, see how the figures are set and about this site.