Project Management Salary in Australia: Minimum Wage, the Weekly Packet, Tax, and Super on Top
The legal minimum for project managers depends on award coverage; the national minimum wage is $26.44/hour from July 2026, but most project managers earn well above that, though the ABS does not publish a specific median for this occupation.
Project Management Salary in Australia: Minimum Wage, Award Rates, and the Weekly Packet
When researching a **project management salary in Australia, the first question is always: what is the legal minimum? The answer depends on the award or agreement that covers the role. For most project managers in construction, the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 or the Professional Employees Award 2020 sets minimum pay rates that are higher than the national minimum wage. If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour.
Separating the legal minimum from a survey average
The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that the national minimum wage is a floor, not a target. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. For award-covered employees, the award rate is the legal minimum. Enterprise agreements can set higher rates. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for the occupation 'Project Manager' because it is a 6-digit ANZSCO code. The ABS's May 2026 survey shows average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2083.70 per week, but that is across all occupations and is not a project management salary figure. Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 90% of construction project managers work full-time, averaging 47 hours per week, but does not provide a median weekly pay.
Award rates for project managers
Project managers in the building and construction industry are often covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. This award has classification levels that depend on the type of project and the employee's responsibilities. The minimum hourly rate for a Level 6 employee (project manager) under that award is higher than the national minimum wage. For example, from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum award rates increased by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum of $26.44 per hour. Introductory rates for new employees are capped at $25.74 per hour for the first six months. Always check the specific award using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.
The weekly packet: tax, Medicare, and super on top
When you see a project management salary figure, remember that it is gross pay before tax. The Australian Taxation Office requires employers to withhold PAYG tax. For the 2026-27 tax year, a resident earning the national minimum wage of $1004.90 per week ($52,254.80 annually) would pay approximately $6,000 in tax plus Medicare levy of 2% once income exceeds $30,000. The actual tax depends on the low income tax offset and other factors. Superannuation is an employer payment on top: 12% of ordinary time earnings. So if your salary is $1004.90 per week, your employer must pay an additional $120.59 into your super fund. This is not part of your take-home pay.
Negotiated salary vs award minimum
Many project managers earn well above the award minimum. A negotiated salary reflects experience, qualifications, and the complexity of projects. The ABS average weekly earnings for all employees is $1579.20 per week, but that includes part-time and casual workers. For full-time project managers, a salary of $120,000 to $180,000 per year is common, but this is not a legal minimum. The award rate is the floor; an enterprise agreement can set a higher rate. If you are negotiating a project management salary, compare the offer against the award rate for your classification. If the award applies, the employer cannot pay less than the award rate. If no award applies, the national minimum wage is the floor. Always include super on top.
Internal links
For more detail on which minimum wage applies, see our Which minimum wage applies and our rate tables for award classifications.
Summary
The legal minimum for a project manager in Australia is either the national minimum wage ($26.44/h) if award-free, or the applicable award rate. The ABS does not provide a specific median for project management salary. Super is 12% on top. Always check the award or agreement for your role.
Questions people ask next
What is the minimum wage for a project manager in Australia?
The minimum wage depends on whether you are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Many project managers in construction are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 or the Professional Employees Award 2020, which set higher rates than the national minimum. If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) is the floor. Always check your award using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.
How is superannuation treated in a project management salary?
Superannuation is an employer payment on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For example, if your project management salary is $1004.90 per week, your employer must pay an additional $120.59 in super. This is not part of your take-home pay and is not subject to tax. Always consider super when comparing a project management salary offer.
What does the ABS say about project management salary figures?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific median weekly earnings figure for the occupation 'Project Manager (133111) because it is a 6-digit ANZSCO 6-digit occupation. The ABS provides a general benchmark for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2083.70 per week (May 2026), but this is not a project management salary. For construction project managers, the Jobs and Skills Australia notes that median weekly earnings are not produced for 6-digit occupations. Actual salaries are typically negotiated above award rates and vary widely.
Related guides
- Project manager salary in Australia: which pay floor applies and what people get wrong
No single project manager salary is set by law; the minimum depends on the applicable award or enterprise agreement, with the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour as a backstop.
- Project Coordinator Salary: Minimum Pay Floor and How Your Rate Compares
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but most project coordinators are covered by an award or agreement that sets a higher rate; the median full-time hourly rate for Contract, Program and Project Administrators is $59 per hour.
- Construction management salary: weekly packet after tax, Medicare, and super
The legal minimum for award-free construction managers is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, but survey data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows a median of $3,751 per week before tax.
- Project Engineer Salary: Legal Minimums, Award Rates, and Market Benchmarks
The legal minimum for a project engineer is at least the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, but award rates and market salaries are typically much higher.