Which award covers a network engineer in Australia?

It depends on the employer and the work performed. Many network engineers in the telecommunications industry are covered by the Telecommunications Services Award 2020 (MA000041). If you work in a different industry, such as IT consulting or professional services, you may be covered by the Professional Employees Award or another award. Check the coverage clause (clause 4) of the relevant award or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to confirm.

What is the minimum hourly rate for a network engineer under the Telecommunications Services Award?

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a Telecommunications Technician (a classification that may apply to network engineers) is $31.27. For an Advanced Telecommunications Technician it is $32.13, and for a Principal Telecommunications Technician it is $34.46. These rates are for adult employees. Junior, apprentice, or trainee rates are lower (see clause 15.2 and 15.3 of the award). Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of these rates.

What if my employer is not covered by an award or enterprise agreement?

If you are award-free and not covered by an enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. Note that junior employees, apprentices, and trainees may be paid less. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate, but cannot go below the relevant award or the national minimum.

Network engineer salary: award minimums and what to expect in Australia

For a network engineer covered by the Telecommunications Services Award 2020, the minimum hourly rate from 1 July 2026 is $31.27 for a Telecommunications Technician, plus 12% super.

What is the legal minimum for a network engineer salary in Australia?

If you are searching for a network engineer salary in Australia, the first thing to understand is the legal pay floor that applies to your role. Unlike a generic job title, “network engineer” can fall under different modern awards depending on the industry and the specific duties. The most relevant award for many network engineers is the Telecommunications Services Award 2020 (MA000041), which covers employers in the telecommunications services industry and their employees in technical classifications.

Minimum rates under the Telecommunications Services Award

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review increased minimum award wages by 4.75%. Under the Telecommunications Services Award, the Technical Stream includes the following minimum hourly rates for adult employees:

Telecommunications Trainee: $27.08
Telecommunications Technical Employee: $29.45
Telecommunications Technician: $31.27
Advanced Telecommunications Technician: $32.13
Principal Telecommunications Technician: $34.46
Telecommunications Associate: $37.24

A network engineer with responsibilities for designing, implementing, and maintaining networks may be classified as a Telecommunications Technician or higher, depending on skill level and duties. The award also provides for junior rates (clause 15.2) and apprentice rates (clause 15.3) that are percentages of the adult rate.

These are minimum rates only. Your employer must pay at least these amounts, plus superannuation of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. Many employers pay above the award, either through an enterprise agreement or an individual contract.

How does this compare with the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for award-free adult employees. However, if you are covered by the Telecommunications Services Award, the award rate for a Telecommunications Technician ($31.27) is higher, so that becomes your legal floor. The award backstop rule means the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot be less than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

What about typical network engineer salaries?

The award minimum is not the same as a typical or median salary. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that in May 2026, full-time adult average weekly ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70. For a 38-hour week, that equates to about $54.83 per hour. However, this figure covers all occupations and industries. Network engineers with specialised skills, certifications, or experience often earn significantly more than the award minimum. Enterprise agreements in large telecommunications companies may set higher rates, and individual negotiation can push salaries well above $100,000 per year.

Because the ABS does not publish a specific “network engineer” earnings category, it is not possible to give a precise median from that source. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool can help you check which award applies to your job, but it does not provide survey averages.

How to check your pay floor

Identify your award – Look at your employment contract or ask your employer. If you work in telecommunications services, the Telecommunications Services Award likely applies. If you are in IT consulting, the Professional Employees Award may be relevant.
Find your classification – Match your duties to the classification descriptions in the award. For network engineers, the Technical Stream classifications are a good starting point.
Check for an enterprise agreement – If your workplace has a registered enterprise agreement, it may set higher rates than the award. The agreement cannot undercut the award minimum.
Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s tools – The Pay and Conditions Tool and the award pay guides (available on the Fair Work Ombudsman website) provide up-to-date rates.

For more guidance, see our Which minimum wage applies, Rate tables, and Guides.

Superannuation and tax considerations

Remember that the rates above are before tax. Superannuation is an additional 12% paid by your employer into a super fund. For example, on a $31.27 hourly rate, your employer must contribute an extra $3.75 per hour to super. This is not deducted from your pay. When comparing job offers, always consider the total remuneration package including super.

Key takeaway

The legal minimum for a network engineer salary depends on the applicable award. Under the Telecommunications Services Award, the minimum hourly rate for a Telecommunications Technician is $31.27 from 1 July 2026. Actual salaries are often higher, and enterprise agreements or individual contracts can set better terms. Always verify your classification and check the latest rates from the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman.

For more details on how pay floors are calculated, see How the figures work and About this site.