Real estate salary guide 2026: award rates, national minimum and what you take home

Understanding the real estate salary floor in Australia

When you search for a real estate salary in Australia, the first thing to know is which legal pay floor applies. Most real estate employees are covered by the Real Estate Industry Award, which sets minimum hourly and weekly rates for each classification level. Even if you are award-free, the national minimum wage acts as a backstop. This guide breaks down the legal minimums, how they compare with typical earnings, and what you actually take home after tax, Medicare and super.

Legal minimums: award and national

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides that include the award rates. Under the Real Estate Industry Award, the lowest ongoing classification (Level 1 associate after 12 months) is $28.00 per hour – above the national minimum. Junior employees under 19 years get a percentage of the award rate – for example, a 17-year-old Level 1 casual gets $19.19 per hour. The award also includes overtime and public holiday penalties. An enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the award.

How award rates compare with the national minimum

For a typical real estate employee at Level 2 (representative level), the award minimum is $29.45 per hour, $1,119.10 per week. That is about 11% above the national minimum. The chart above shows this comparison. The floor is $26.44. If you are negotiating a real estate salary above the award, you can use the award as a benchmark. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week – much higher than the award rate. That average is not a legal minimum.

The weekly packet: tax, Medicare and super on top

On the award rate of $29.45 per hour, weekly earnings of $1,119.10. The employer must pay 12% super on top of ordinary time earnings. That adds $134.29 per week into super. After tax and Medicare (estimated 2% for ordinary earnings above $30,000), the take-home for a single resident with no other income would be roughly $1,000 per week. This is a rough model – see How the figures work for details. The low-income offset and HELP can change the outcome.

Negotiated salaries and averages

A real estate salary can be higher than the award if you have experience or a commission structure. The award does not cap earnings. The ABS average for all employees total earnings is $1,579.20 per week. That includes part-time and casual. If you are award-free and agreement-free, the national minimum applies. Always check Which minimum wage applies to confirm your situation. For award-covered employees, the award is the minimum. The award is the minimum.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum for real estate employees?

The award sets the minimum for real estate employees. The award rates are the minimum for real estate employees. The national minimum is the floor for award-free employees. The award rates are the minimum for real estate employees.

Do real estate employees get super?

Yes, employers pay super on top of ordinary time earnings. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026.

Can a real estate employee be paid less than the award?

Generally no. The award sets minimums. Enterprise agreements can vary but must not undercut the award overall. Junior rates and training wages are allowed under specific conditions.

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