Office Manager Salary: Award Coverage vs Award-Free Rates

Understanding the office manager salary in Australia

When researching an office manager salary, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum you must be paid and the typical market rate. This guide uses the latest public data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Fair Work Ombudsman, and the Fair Work Commission to help you understand where your pay should sit.

Legal minimums: award coverage vs award-free

The first question is whether your role is covered by a modern award. Office managers often fall under the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020 or the Professional Employees Award 2020, depending on their duties and industry. If an award applies, the minimum wage for your classification is set out in that award. For example, the Clerks Award has a Level 5 classification that may cover senior administrative roles, with a minimum rate higher than the national minimum.

If you are not covered by any award or enterprise agreement, you are award-free. In that case, the national minimum wage applies. From 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 25% loading, making the minimum $33.05 per hour. Note that junior employees, apprentices, and trainees may be paid less under specific rules.

Survey averages: the median office manager salary

The ABS, through Jobs and Skills Australia, reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for Office Managers (ANZSCO 5121) is $1,730 before tax. This is based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. The median hourly rate is $47, and the average full-time working week is 41 hours. This figure is a useful benchmark, but it is not a legal requirement. It reflects what the typical office manager earns, including those with years of experience and higher responsibilities.

Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements

Some office managers are employed under enterprise agreements or individual contracts that set a salary above the award or national minimum. These agreements must still meet the “better off overall test” (BOOT) if they replace an award. A negotiated salary may be expressed as an annual package, often including superannuation. Remember: super is an employer contribution on top of your base salary, not part of it. As of 2026-27, the super guarantee is 12%.

How to check your own rate

To find the correct minimum for your situation, use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool or consult the Modern Awards Pay Database from the Fair Work Commission. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage is your floor. If you are covered by an award, check the classification that best matches your duties. Your employer cannot pay you less than the applicable minimum, even if you agree to a lower rate.

For more detail on which minimum applies to you, see our guide: Which minimum wage applies. For step-by-step instructions on using award rates, visit Guides.

Key takeaways

• The median office manager salary is $1,730 per week ($47/hour) based on ABS data.
• The legal minimum depends on award coverage or the national minimum wage ($26.44/hour from 1 July 2026).
• Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of your base salary.
• Always verify your award classification or award-free status before comparing your pay to survey averages.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.