What is the minimum wage for a project administrator in Australia?

If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026. However, most project administrators are covered by a modern award such as the Clerks Award or Professional Employees Award, which set higher minimum rates depending on the classification. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to check your award.

Do project administrators receive superannuation?

Yes, employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This applies to all employees, including project administrators, regardless of award coverage.

How do I know which award covers my project administrator role?

Award coverage depends on your industry, duties, and employer. Common awards for project administrators include the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 (for clerical tasks) and the Professional Employees Award 2020 (for degree-qualified roles). Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's online tool or call their helpline for a determination.

Project Administrator Salary: Award Coverage vs Award-Free Rates in Australia

The national minimum wage for award-free project administrators is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026, but most project administrators are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher rate.

What is the project administrator salary in Australia?

When researching the project administrator salary in Australia, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum pay floor and the typical earnings reported in surveys. The legal minimum depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or are award-free. Superannuation of 12% is an employer payment on top of your ordinary time earnings.

The legal minimum: national minimum wage and award rates

For award-free employees (those not covered by any modern award or enterprise agreement), the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. Junior rates, apprentice rates, and supported wages can be lower.

However, most project administrators are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database shows that award rates are generally higher than the national minimum. For example, the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 (which often covers administrative roles) sets minimum rates that vary by classification level. A Level 4 clerk, for instance, may earn around $28–$30 per hour, depending on the year of the award. The Professional Employees Award 2020 applies to degree-qualified project administrators and sets higher minimums. Enterprise agreements can also set rates above the award.

Survey averages: what project administrators actually earn

According to Jobs and Skills Australia (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025), the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial project administrators is $2,130. This equates to an annual salary of $110,760. That figure is about double the national minimum wage, reflecting the skilled nature of the role. Note that this is a survey average, not a legal minimum. Individual pay varies by experience, industry, location, and employer.

Negotiated salaries and how they compare

Many project administrators negotiate salaries above the award or minimum. The ABS data shows that the median is well above the award floor, but entry-level or junior roles may start closer to the award rate. When negotiating, remember that the award rate is a floor, not a ceiling. You can use the Rate tables to compare typical rates for your classification.

Award coverage vs award-free rates

Understanding whether you are covered by a modern award is crucial for knowing your minimum entitlement. Project administrators often work in industries such as public administration, health care, professional services, and construction. The applicable award depends on the employer’s industry and your specific duties.

Clerks Award: Covers clerical and administrative work, including project administration, if the employer is in the private sector and the role is primarily clerical.
Professional Employees Award: Applies if you hold a relevant degree (e.g., project management) and perform professional-level duties.
Miscellaneous Award: May cover award-free employees in certain industries, but it is a catch-all with lower rates.

If you are award-free, the national minimum wage applies. However, you should always check with the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to confirm your coverage. The Which minimum wage applies page on this site explains how to determine your status.

How to find your exact rate

Once you know your award and classification, you can look up the exact minimum rate. The Fair Work Commission publishes the Modern Awards Pay Database with spreadsheets for each award. Your employer must pay at least that rate, plus super. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set higher rates.

Remember that the national minimum wage and award rates are reviewed annually. The 2026 increase of 4.75% took effect from 1 July 2026. Always use the most current figures.

Summary

The project administrator salary in Australia ranges from the national minimum of $26.44 per hour to a median of around $2,130 per week. Most project administrators are covered by an award that sets a higher minimum. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top. Use the Guides on this site to learn more about how pay is determined.