What Is the Astronaut Salary in Australia? Award Coverage and Minimum Wage

Astronaut Salary in Australia: What the Law Says

When people search for "astronaut salary", they often expect a single figure. In Australia, there is no official minimum wage for astronauts set by the Fair Work Commission or the Fair Work Ombudsman. Instead, pay depends on the type of employment, the employer, and the applicable industrial instrument.

Legal Minimum vs Award Coverage

The national minimum wage applies to employees not covered by a modern award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour.

However, most professional roles in the space sector are likely covered by a modern award. The Professional Employees Award 2020, for example, covers employees engaged in professional engineering, scientific, or technical work. If an astronaut is classified under that award, the minimum pay rate will be higher than the national minimum wage, depending on the classification level. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool can help identify the correct award and rates.

Enterprise agreements may also set pay above the award. Large employers such as the Australian Space Agency or private companies often negotiate individual contracts or collective agreements that reflect the specialised nature of the work.

What the Research Shows

A web search of current Australian public sources – including the Fair Work Ombudsman, Fair Work Commission, and Australian Bureau of Statistics – found no specific data on astronaut salaries. The ABS reports average weekly earnings for full‑time adults at $2,083.70 (May 2026), but this is a broad measure and not a guide for space industry pay.

Because astronauts are a very small workforce, no survey average or award rate is publicly available. Any quoted figure would be speculative. The only certain floor is the national minimum wage, but actual astronaut salaries are negotiated and likely far higher.

How Super Guarantee Works

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This applies to all employees, including those covered by an award or agreement. For an astronaut earning a negotiated salary, the employer contributes an extra 12% into a super fund. Super is not deducted from the quoted salary; it is an additional payment by the employer.

Award-Free Juniors and Other Exceptions

If an astronaut were under 21 and not covered by an award, junior rates would apply. For example, an 18‑year‑old award‑free junior would receive $18.06 per hour (68.3% of the adult rate). Casual loading would add 25%. However, it is extremely unlikely that a space agency would employ a junior astronaut under these rates; they would be covered by an award or agreement with higher pay.

Comparing Astronaut Salary with the Minimum

Because no official astronaut salary exists in Australian law, the best comparison is with the national minimum wage. An astronaut earning, say, $100,000 per year would be earning about $50.63 per hour (based on 38 hours, 52 weeks), which is nearly double the national minimum. The key point is that the legal minimum is a backstop, not a target.

For more details on how the figures work, see How the figures work.

For a full list of current minimum rates, visit Rate tables.

Summary

• No specific astronaut minimum wage is set by Australian law.
• The national minimum wage of $26.44/h applies if no award or agreement covers the role.
• Most astronauts are likely covered by a professional award or enterprise agreement with higher rates.
• Super guarantee of 12% is paid on top of all ordinary time earnings.
• Actual astronaut salaries are negotiated and not publicly reported.