Theatre Technician Salary Guide: Minimum Rates, Award Coverage and Median Earnings
The median full-time weekly earnings for performing arts technicians is $1,844, but the legal minimum is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or applicable award rate), with superannuation paid on top.
Understanding the Theatre Technician Salary in Australia
When researching the theatre technician salary, it is important to recognise that the term covers two distinct career paths: performing arts technicians (lighting, sound, stage) and medical theatre technicians (operating theatre support). Each has different pay structures, award coverage, and typical earnings. This guide focuses on the legal minimums and official survey data to help you compare rates.
Legal Minimum vs Survey Average vs Award Rate vs Negotiated Salary
Legal minimum: The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement. This is the floor. Most theatre technicians are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates. For example, the Live Performance Award 2010 includes classifications for light technicians, sound technicians, and stage hands with rates above the national minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice on which award applies.
Survey average: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, reports median full-time weekly earnings for performing arts technicians (ANZSCO 3995) at $1,844, with median hourly earnings of $45. This is a useful benchmark but does not represent a minimum or guaranteed rate. It reflects the midpoint of what full-time non-managerial employees earn.
Award rate: Modern awards contain minimum pay rates for each classification level. These rates are updated annually following the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages rose by 4.75%. The lowest ongoing classification in an award cannot fall below the national minimum of $26.44 per hour. Introductory rates for the first six months are capped at $25.74 per hour ($978.10 per week).
Negotiated salary: Individual contracts or enterprise agreements can set pay above the award or national minimum. Some medical theatre technicians working agency shifts report rates of $62–$109 per hour on SEEK, though these are not typical and often include casual loading and penalty rates.
Superannuation Is Paid on Top
Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is not deducted from the advertised salary. For a theatre technician earning the national minimum of $26.44 per hour, the employer pays an additional $3.17 per hour into the employee's super fund. The super guarantee applies to award and above-award wages alike.
Casual Loading, Junior Rates and Penalty Rates
Casual loading: Casual theatre technicians receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. For award-free casuals, the casual rate from 1 July 2026 is $33.05 per hour. Award-covered casuals get the loading specified in their award, typically 25% as well. This loading compensates for missing entitlements such as paid annual leave and sick leave.
Junior rates: Award-free juniors (under 21) are paid a percentage of the adult national minimum. For example, a 17-year-old theatre technician earns 57.8% of $26.44, or $15.29 per hour ($19.11 casual). Award-covered juniors follow the junior rates in their award, which may differ.
Penalty rates: Theatre technicians often work evenings, weekends, and public holidays. Modern awards for live performance and entertainment include penalty rates for these hours, which can significantly increase take-home pay. For example, the Live Performance Award provides time-and-a-half on Saturdays and double time on Sundays. Always check the applicable award for exact penalty rates.
How to Find Your Correct Pay Floor
If you are unsure which minimum applies to your role, start by identifying your modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman's online tool can help. Most performing arts technicians fall under the Live Performance Award 2010 or the Entertainment Industry Award 2020. Medical theatre technicians may be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. If no award covers you, the national minimum wage applies. Remember that enterprise agreements can set higher rates, but never lower.
For more detail on which minimum wage applies to your situation, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. To compare current award and national minimum rates, visit our Rate tables.
Key Takeaways
- The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) for award-free adults.
- The median full-time theatre technician (performing arts) earns $1,844 per week according to the ABS.
- Most theatre technicians are covered by a modern award with higher minimum rates.
- Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of all ordinary time earnings.
- Casual loading, junior rates, and penalty rates can significantly affect actual pay.
- Always verify your correct award or agreement with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.
Questions people ask next
What is the minimum wage for a theatre technician?
The minimum wage depends on the applicable modern award or the national minimum wage if award-free. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Most theatre technicians in live performance are covered by the Live Performance Award or the Entertainment Industry Award, which set higher minimum rates. For medical theatre technicians (operating theatre), the Health Professionals and Support Services Award may apply. Always check the correct award with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Do theatre technicians get casual loading?
Yes, casual theatre technicians are entitled to a casual loading of 25% on top of the minimum hourly rate. For award-free casuals, the national minimum casual rate is $33.05 per hour from 1 July 2026. Award-covered casuals receive the loading specified in their award, often 25% as well. The loading compensates for lack of paid leave and other entitlements.
How does the median theatre technician salary compare to the national average?
According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for performing arts technicians is $1,844, which is slightly below the all-occupations median of $1,852. However, it is well above the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week. Actual salaries vary widely by role, experience, and location, with some agency roles in medical theatres advertising rates above $60 per hour.
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