Is a hotel manager covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award?

It depends on the duties. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that a hotel manager is covered if they work under senior management and are responsible for one or more areas but not a significant portion of the hotel. Managers performing senior management duties—such as venue manager, general manager, or executive assistant manager—are usually not covered by the award and instead receive the national minimum wage and National Employment Standards.

What is the minimum salary for a hotel manager under the award?

For managerial staff in hotels covered by the award, clause 18.2 sets a minimum annual salary of $63,617 (as at 1 July 2026). This is for a full‑time employee. An employer and employee can agree to an annualised wage that is at least 25% more than this minimum, which then absorbs certain award entitlements such as penalty rates and overtime (salary absorption under clause 25).

How does superannuation affect the hotel manager salary?

Superannuation is paid on top of the salary. The Superannuation Guarantee requires employers to contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026) into a complying super fund. For a manager earning the award minimum of $63,617, the employer must add at least $7,634 in super each year. This is not part of the salary; it is an additional payment.

Hotel Manager Salary: Award Minimums, Legal Floors and What to Expect

The Hospitality Award sets a minimum annual salary of $63,617 for managerial staff in hotels, but many managers are award‑free and entitled only to the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

What the research says about hotel manager salary

When you search for “hotel manager salary” in Australia, you will find a mix of award rates, legislative minimums, and advertised figures. This guide separates the legal floor from the award rate and explains how tax and super affect the weekly packet. We rely on current public figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission.

The legal minimum: national minimum wage

Every national‑system employee who is not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement is entitled to the national minimum wage. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a loading of 25%, giving a casual rate of $33.05 per hour.

A hotel manager who is award‑free (for example, because their duties are senior management) must be paid at least this amount. Junior employees (under 21) who are award‑free receive a percentage of the adult rate, as set out in the Rate tables on this site.

The award minimum for managerial staff in hotels

The Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009) covers many hotel managers who perform lower‑level duties. Clause 18.2 states that an employer must pay an employee within the Managerial Staff (Hotels) classification a minimum annual salary of $63,617. This is a full‑time rate. The award also allows an annualised wage agreement that is at least 25% above this minimum, which then satisfies most penalty rates, overtime, and allowances (salary absorption under clause 25).

Managers who are not covered by the award—because they are responsible for a significant portion of the hotel or perform senior management duties—are not entitled to the award rate. They fall back on the national minimum wage unless an enterprise agreement sets a higher rate.

How the award rate compares with the national minimum

The award minimum of $63,617 per year equates to roughly $1,223 per week (based on 52 weeks). That is about $32.19 per hour for a 38‑hour week. This is higher than the national minimum of $26.44 per hour, but it is not a “typical” hotel manager salary. Many managers are paid above the award minimum, and those in senior roles may be award‑free and on negotiated salaries.

Superannuation is paid on top

Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026) to a complying super fund. For a manager earning the award minimum of $63,617, the employer adds at least $7,634 in super each year. This is not deducted from the salary; it is an extra cost for the employer. When comparing a hotel manager salary offer, always check whether the figure quoted is “base salary” or “total package” (including super).

Tax and the weekly packet

Using the 2026‑27 tax rates (resident with full tax‑free threshold), a hotel manager earning the award minimum of $63,617 would have an annual tax of approximately $10,567 (including 2% Medicare levy once income exceeds $30,000). That leaves a weekly after‑tax amount of about $1,020. If the manager is paid a higher negotiated salary—say $80,000—the weekly after‑tax figure rises to around $1,280. These are estimates only; individual circumstances vary.

When an award or agreement can set a higher rate

A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher minimum rate than the national minimum wage. For hotel managers covered by the Hospitality Award, the award rate is the legal floor. An enterprise agreement negotiated between an employer and employees (or their union) can set a higher rate, but it cannot undercut the award. Always check the applicable award or agreement before relying on the national minimum wage.

Key takeaways

The legal minimum for award‑free hotel managers is the national minimum wage: $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week).
The Hospitality Award sets a minimum annual salary of $63,617 for covered managerial staff.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of the salary.
Many hotel managers are not covered by the award and receive negotiated salaries above the minimum.
Always confirm whether a salary figure is base or inclusive of super, and whether it absorbs penalty rates.