What is the minimum wage for a property manager in Australia?

It depends on whether you are covered by the Real Estate Industry Award. If the award applies, the minimum hourly rate ranges from $26.59 (Level 1, first 12 months) to $33.88 (Level 4) as of 1 July 2026. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. Always check your classification and any applicable enterprise agreement.

Can a property manager be paid less than the award rate?

Generally no, if the award covers the employee. The award sets the minimum. However, junior employees, apprentices, or those on supported wages may be paid a percentage of the adult rate. An enterprise agreement can also set different rates, but they must not be less than the award overall.

Property management salary: Award minimums and award-free rates in Australia

Q: Does the property management salary include superannuation?

No. The minimum rates quoted are before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay an additional 12% super guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings for most employees.

The minimum pay for a property manager depends on award coverage; under the Real Estate Industry Award, a Level 2 (representative) employee earns at least $29.45 per hour from July 2026, while award-free employees are entitled to the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Property management salary: award coverage and award-free rates

When researching a property management salary, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum set by an award or the national minimum wage, and the actual pay an employer may offer. This guide focuses on the pay floor for property managers in Australia, using the most current public figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Real Estate Industry Award

Most property managers who are employees are covered by the Real Estate Industry Award 2020 (MA000106). This award applies to employers in the real estate industry, which includes the management of residential, commercial, retail, industrial, and other property. The award sets minimum rates for four classification levels. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, lists the following adult full-time weekly and hourly rates:

Level 1 (associate) – first 12 months: $1,010.60 per week / $26.59 per hour
Level 1 (associate) – after 12 months: $1,063.90 / $28.00
Level 2 (representative): $1,119.10 / $29.45
Level 3 (supervisory): $1,231.00 / $32.39
Level 4 (in-charge): $1,287.30 / $33.88

Casual employees receive a 25% loading, so the casual hourly rates range from $33.24 (Level 1, first 12 months) to $42.35 (Level 4). These rates are the legal minimum; an employer cannot pay less unless a junior, apprentice, or supported wage provision applies. Junior employees under 21 receive a percentage of the adult rate (60% at under 19, 70% at 19, 80% at 20).

Award-free property managers

If a property manager is not covered by the Real Estate Industry Award – for example, because their employer is in a different industry or they are a state public sector employee covered by a state award – 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 employee working 38 ordinary hours. Casual award-free employees receive a 25% loading, giving a casual rate of $33.05 per hour. Award-free junior rates also apply, with percentages ranging from 36.8% for under 16 to 97.7% for 20-year-olds.

Superannuation

All minimum rates discussed are before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay an additional 12% super guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings for most employees. This is a separate payment and cannot be counted as part of the minimum wage.

How the award rates compare to the national minimum

The award rates for property managers are higher than the national minimum wage. For example, a Level 2 (representative) property manager must receive at least $29.45 per hour under the award, which is $3.01 above the national minimum. This reflects the specialised nature of property management work. However, the award also includes penalty rates for overtime, work on days off, and public holidays, which can further increase pay.

What about survey averages?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes median weekly earnings for broad occupations, but not for the specific ANZSCO 6-digit occupation of Property Manager (612112). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile notes that median weekly earnings are not produced for 6-digit occupations. Therefore, no reliable survey average for a property management salary is available from official sources. The award rates and the national minimum are the only defensible benchmarks. Actual salaries negotiated between employers and employees may be higher, especially for experienced managers or those in high-demand areas.

Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements

A modern award sets a minimum, but an employer and employee can agree on a higher salary. Enterprise agreements registered with the Fair Work Commission can also set different rates, provided they do not disadvantage employees overall compared to the award. Always check the specific award coverage and any applicable agreement before assuming a rate.

For a full list of award rates, see our Rate tables. For more guidance on which award applies, visit our Guides.