What is the typical marine biologist salary in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for marine biologists (ANZSCO 234516) because the occupation is too small to report reliably. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile also shows 'N/A' for median weekly earnings. Therefore, no official 'typical' salary exists from these sources. Actual pay varies widely by employer, experience, and location.

Which award covers marine biologists?

Marine biologists are likely classified as professional scientists. The most relevant modern award is the Professional Employees Award 2020, which covers employees who perform professional scientific work. However, not all marine biologists are automatically covered – it depends on the employer’s industry and the nature of the role. If no award applies, the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) is the legal floor. Always check the award coverage using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

Can a marine biologist be paid less than the national minimum wage?

Generally, no. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week) is the minimum for adult award‑free employees. However, junior employees, apprentices, trainees, or those on introductory award rates may be paid less. For example, a 17‑year‑old award‑free junior can be paid as little as $15.29 per hour (57.8% of the adult rate). Always confirm the correct classification and any applicable award or agreement.

Marine Biologist Salary: Award Coverage vs Award-Free Minimum Rates

No published median earnings exist for marine biologists; the legal minimum is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or a higher award rate if covered).

Marine Biologist Salary: What the Law Says

If you are researching the marine biologist salary in Australia, you will quickly discover that official published figures are scarce. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not release median weekly earnings for the 6‑digit occupation Marine Biologist (ANZSCO 234516) because the sample size is too small. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for marine biologists also reports median weekly earnings as ‘N/A’. This means there is no publicly available survey average or median from the ABS or Jobs and Skills Australia.

However, the legal pay floor is clear. Every marine biologist who is an employee in Australia must receive at least the minimum wage that applies to them – either under a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or the National Minimum Wage if no other instrument covers them.

Legal Minimums: Award or Award‑Free?

The first step is to determine whether a modern award covers the marine biologist’s role. The most likely award is the Professional Employees Award 2020, which covers professional scientists, including biologists. Under that award, minimum classification rates are higher than the National Minimum Wage for experienced professionals. However, not all marine biologists are covered – for example, those working in state government or in roles that fall outside the award’s scope may be award‑free.

If a modern award applies, the employer must pay at least the award rate for the correct classification. If no award applies and no enterprise agreement exists, the National Minimum Wage is the legal minimum. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full‑time adult employee. Casual employees receive a casual loading of 25%, bringing the rate to $33.05 per hour.

Importantly, superannuation is an employer payment on top of these rates. The super guarantee is currently 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid into the employee’s nominated super fund. This is not deducted from the salary – it is an additional cost to the employer.

What About Negotiated Salaries?

Many marine biologists are employed by universities, research institutes, or government agencies that pay above the minimum. These salaries are set by enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or collective bargaining. Because no official median exists, advertised salaries can vary significantly. A graduate marine biologist might earn between $55,000 and $70,000 per year, while a senior scientist could earn over $100,000. These figures are not official and should be treated as indicative only.

How to Check Your Pay

To find out which minimum wage applies to you, use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool on their website. You will need to know your employer’s industry and your job duties. If you are covered by an award, the tool will show the correct minimum pay rates, including penalties and allowances.

For more detail on how minimum wages work in Australia, see our guides and rate tables. If you are unsure whether you are in the national system or a state system, read Which minimum wage applies.

Key Points to Remember

The ABS does not publish a median salary for marine biologists.
The legal minimum is either the National Minimum Wage ($26.44/h from 1 July 2026) or a higher award rate.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of the salary.
Junior, apprentice, and introductory rates can be lower than the adult minimum.
Always check your specific award or agreement – do not rely on general figures.

About the Figures on This Site

Our site uses official sources: the Fair Work Commission for award rates and the National Minimum Wage, the ABS for earnings data, and the Australian Taxation Office for tax and super information. We do not invent or guess salaries. When official data is missing, we say so. For more on our methodology, see How the figures work.

If you have further questions about the marine biologist salary or minimum wages in Australia, explore our topics section.