Paraplanner salary in Australia: legal minimum vs typical pay

What is a paraplanner salary in Australia?

If you are researching a paraplanner salary – whether you are entering the profession, hiring, or benchmarking your own pay – the first step is to separate the legal minimum from what employers typically offer. Paraplanners support financial advisers by preparing statements of advice, research, and compliance documents. Their pay depends on the award or agreement that covers them, their experience, and where they work.

The legal pay floor: national minimum wage and awards

All employees in Australia are entitled to a minimum wage. For paraplanners not covered by an award or registered agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (before tax). Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour.

However, most paraplanners are likely covered by the Financial Services Award or a similar modern award. Award minimum rates are often higher than the national minimum, and they include penalty rates, allowances, and classification levels. The Fair Work Commission sets these rates each year in the Annual Wage Review. For 2026, most award rates increased by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. Some awards have introductory rates for new employees (up to six months), which must be at least $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

To find the exact award rate for your role, use the Which minimum wage applies guide or the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates.

Typical paraplanner salaries: survey averages

Industry data from gives a snapshot of advertised salaries for in-house paraplanners across capital cities:

• Sydney: $88,000 per year
• Melbourne: $90,000
• Brisbane: $80,000
• Perth: $80,000
• Adelaide: $65,000
• Canberra: $70,000
• Hobart: $60,000

These are averages. Junior paraplanners typically earn $10,000–$30,000 less, while senior paraplanners earn $10,000–$30,000 more. Contract paraplanners often charge $60–$120 per hour.

Converted to an hourly rate (based on a 38-hour week), the Sydney average of $88,000 works out to about $44.53 per hour – well above the national minimum. But remember: these are survey figures, not legal minimums. Your actual pay may be set by an award or agreement.

Superannuation: an extra 12% on top

When discussing a paraplanner salary, remember that the superannuation guarantee is an employer contribution on top of your ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12%. If your salary is $80,000, your employer must pay an additional $9,600 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your take-home pay.

How to check your own rate

If you are a paraplanner, start by identifying whether you are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free resources. You can also compare your hourly rate to the national minimum using our Rate tables. If your pay is below the award minimum, you may be entitled to back pay.

Key takeaways

• The legal minimum for award-free paraplanners is $26.44 per hour (national minimum wage).
• Award-covered paraplanners must receive at least the award rate, which is often higher.
• Survey averages suggest typical salaries range from $60,000 to $90,000, but these are not legal floors.
• Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of your salary.

For more detail on how minimum wages are calculated, see our How the figures work page.