Save the Children CEO Salary: Award Coverage vs Award-Free Rates

Save the Children CEO Salary: Award Coverage vs Award-Free Rates

When searching for "save the children ceo salary", most results point to industry estimates rather than a published figure from the organisation. The current CEO of Save the Children Australia is Mat Tinkler, who took the role in June 2022. His exact salary is not publicly disclosed in the annual report or on the organisation's website. However, job market data from SEEK provides an industry estimate for a Chief Executive Officer in the non-profit sector: between $150,000 and $161,000 per year.

The Legal Pay Floor: National Minimum Wage

For any employee in Australia, the starting point is the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Commission sets this rate each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour ordinary week. Casual employees receive a loading of 25%, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to national-system employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement.

A CEO role is almost always award-free. Senior management positions are not classified under modern awards, which cover specific industries and occupations up to a certain level. Therefore, the national minimum wage is the legal floor for a Save the Children CEO salary. However, the actual salary is negotiated and will be significantly higher than the minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces the national minimum wage, but does not set it.

Superannuation Is Paid On Top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of an employee's ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. For a CEO earning $150,000 per year, the employer would contribute an additional $18,000 in super. This is not part of the salary figure but is a mandatory extra cost for the employer.

Industry Estimates vs Actual Salary

The SEEK estimate of $150K–$161K is based on aggregated data from non-profit organisations. It is not the confirmed salary of Save the Children's CEO. The organisation's 2025 Annual Report shows total expenditure but does not break down individual executive pay. The report does note that 82.1% of expenditure goes to programs, 5.4% to fundraising, 7.7% to administration, and 4.8% to retail. The CEO's remuneration would fall under administration costs.

For comparison, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in May 2026 were $2,083.70 per week. The SEEK CEO estimate of around $2,885–$3,096 per week is well above that average, reflecting the seniority and responsibility of the role.

Award-Free Employees: What Rules Apply?

If a Save the Children CEO were award-free (which is typical), the following rules apply:

• The national minimum wage is the floor. No award rate can undercut it.
• Junior employees (under 21) have percentage-based minimums, but a CEO is unlikely to be a junior.
• Apprentice and trainee rates follow the Miscellaneous Award for award-free employees.
• The employer may have an enterprise agreement that sets higher pay and conditions. Save the Children may have such an agreement for some staff, but the CEO is likely on an individual contract.

How the National Minimum Wage Has Changed

The national minimum wage has increased over recent years:

• 1 July 2023: $23.23/h, $882.80/week
• 1 July 2024: $24.10/h, $915.90/week
• 1 July 2025: $24.95/h, $948.00/week
• 1 July 2026: $26.44/h, $1,004.90/week

These figures are for adult employees. Junior rates, introductory rates, and supported wages can be lower. The Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review 2026 also increased modern award minimum wages by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum.

What If the CEO Is Covered by an Award?

It is highly unlikely that a CEO would be classified under a modern award. Awards cover specific roles such as community service workers, managers up to a certain level, and professionals. The CEO is the most senior executive and is excluded from award coverage. If an award did apply, the award rate would be the minimum, and the employer could pay above it. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the calculated minimum rates for all modern awards, but it does not include CEO classifications.

Comparing the SEEK Estimate to the Minimum

Using the lower end of the SEEK estimate ($150,000 per year), the weekly equivalent is $2,884.62. That is 2.87 times the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week. The chart below illustrates this comparison.

Which minimum wage applies explains how to determine if you are award-free or covered by an award. Rate tables show the current national minimum wage and junior rates.

Key Takeaways

• The legal minimum for a Save the Children CEO is the national minimum wage of $26.44/h or $1,004.90/week.
• Industry estimates suggest the actual salary is around $150,000–$161,000 per year, plus super.
• The CEO is award-free, so no modern award rate applies.
• Always check if an enterprise agreement or individual contract sets a higher rate.
• The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage; the Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance and enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the national minimum wage for a CEO at Save the Children? The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for an adult employee not covered by an award or agreement. However, a CEO role is typically award-free and senior management, so the minimum wage is the legal floor. The actual salary is negotiated and is far higher, with industry estimates around $150,000–$161,000 per year.

Does the Save the Children CEO have to be paid under a modern award? No. The CEO role is not classified under any modern award because it is a senior management position. Award-free employees are covered by the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission. The employer may also have an enterprise agreement or individual contract that sets a higher rate.

How does the SEEK salary estimate for Save the Children CEO compare with the national minimum? The SEEK industry estimate for a CEO in the non-profit sector is $150,000–$161,000 per year, which is roughly $2,885–$3,096 per week. That is about three times the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week. The estimate is a guide only and does not reflect the actual pay of the current CEO, Mat Tinkler.

Guides and How the figures work provide more detail on award coverage and minimum wage calculations.