What is the legal minimum wage for a project manager in Australia?

There is no single legal minimum wage for all project managers. If you are covered by a modern award (such as the Professional Employees Award or the Clerks Award), the award sets the minimum pay rate for your classification. If no award or registered agreement applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) is the floor. Always check your award or agreement first.

Does the project manager salary include superannuation?

No. The salary or wage figure you see (including the national minimum wage) is before tax and does not include the superannuation guarantee. Employers must pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into your super fund on top of your gross pay. This is a separate employer cost.

Can a project manager be paid less than the national minimum wage?

In limited circumstances, yes. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with a disability that affects productivity may be paid a special national minimum wage that is lower than the adult rate. Also, some awards have introductory rates for the first six months. However, once the introductory period ends, the rate must rise to at least the award minimum, which is often higher than the national minimum.

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 manager salary: understanding the pay floor

When people search for "project manager salary" in Australia, they often expect a single number. In reality, the pay you receive depends on several layers: the legal minimum, the award or enterprise agreement that covers your role, and any negotiated above-award amount. This guide separates those layers so you can see which floor applies to you.

The legal minimum: national minimum wage and award backstop

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. 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. This is the absolute minimum for any award‑free, agreement‑free employee in the national system.

However, most project managers are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that awards set minimum pay rates for specific industries and occupations. For example, the Professional Employees Award 2020 covers many project managers in professional services, while the Clerks Award may apply to project coordinators. These awards often have classification structures with higher minimum rates than the national minimum. If your award’s lowest ongoing classification falls below $26.44 per hour, the award backstop lifts it to that level. Some awards also have introductory rates (limited to the first six months) that can be as low as $25.74 per hour, but after that period the full award rate applies.

Enterprise agreements can also set pay rates, but they must pass the better‑off‑overall test compared to the underlying award. In all cases, the legal minimum is the higher of the award, agreement, or national minimum wage.

Where survey averages come from

You may see figures like the ABS average weekly earnings. In May 2026, the ABS reported full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, and all employees average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week. These are averages across all occupations, not a project manager salary. They include high‑ and low‑paid roles and are influenced by overtime, bonuses, and industry mix. The ABS does not publish a specific project manager salary figure in its standard releases.

Other surveys from recruitment firms or industry bodies may quote a median or range for project manager roles. These are not legal minima. They reflect market rates and can vary by industry, experience, location, and company size. Always check the methodology: some surveys include superannuation, others do not.

Award rates and negotiated salaries

If you are covered by an award, your minimum pay is determined by your classification level. For example, the Professional Employees Award has levels from Graduate to Senior Professional, each with a minimum annual salary. You can find these rates in the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database, which contains spreadsheets of classifications, allowances, and penalty rates. The database is updated after each annual wage review (most recently 1 July 2026).

Many project managers are paid above the award minimum. This negotiated salary can include allowances, bonuses, or a higher base rate. Remember that superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) is an employer payment on top of your gross salary, not part of the salary figure itself.

Common misunderstandings

“Project manager salary is $100,000” – This may be a market average, but it is not a legal requirement. Your minimum could be much lower if you are in a junior role or covered by a lower award classification.
“Everyone must get $26.44 per hour” – No. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and supported wage employees can receive less. Also, award rates may be higher, so the national minimum is only a backstop.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman sets the minimum wage” – The Fair Work Commission sets the rate; the Ombudsman provides information and enforces compliance.

How to find your correct minimum

Identify your award using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.
Find your classification level and the corresponding minimum hourly or weekly rate.
Check if an enterprise agreement applies – it may set a higher rate.
If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum wage is your floor.

For more detail, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Superannuation and tax

Your salary is quoted before tax. Employers must pay 12% super on top of your ordinary time earnings. Tax is withheld by your employer through PAYG. The 2026‑27 tax rates apply, with the tax‑free threshold and a 2% Medicare levy once your annualised ordinary gross exceeds $30,000. This site does not provide tax advice; consult the Australian Taxation Office or a professional.

Final note

The information here is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination or legal advice. Always refer to the official sources: the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

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