UX designer salary in Australia: award coverage and the minimum wage floor

UX designer salary and the minimum wage floor

When researching a ux designer salary in Australia, the first question is often which legal pay floor applies. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, while the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for an adult employee not covered by an award or agreement. However, most employees are covered by a modern award, and award minimum wages increased by 4.75% from that date, with a backstop that the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. An introductory rate limited to the first six months cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week .

Award coverage for UX designers

There is no single published rate for a ux designer salary in the provided sources. The Fair Work Ombudsman notes that awards cover many industries and occupations, and it is important to get it right . A UX designer may be covered by an award such as the Professional Employees Award or the Clerks Award, depending on duties and industry. If an award applies, the award rate is the legal minimum. If no award applies, the national minimum wage is the floor. Award-free employees must receive the national minimum wage unless the employee is a junior, apprentice, or trainee. For award-free juniors, percentages of the national minimum apply: under 16 $9.73 per hour, 16 $12.51, 17 $15.29, 18 $18.06, 19 $21.82, 20 $25.84, 21 and over $26.44. Casual rates include a 25% loading, so the casual national minimum is $33.05 per hour.

Award-free rates and the national minimum

For award-free employees, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026. This is the gross pay before tax. Super guarantee at 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings. The Fair Work Commission reviews the national minimum each year. The ABS May 2026 figures show full-time adult ordinary time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, but that is not a floor. A UX designer's actual salary may be higher than the minimum floor if negotiated or covered by an enterprise agreement. Enterprise agreements can set higher rates than the award or national minimum.

Super guarantee

When discussing any ux designer salary, remember super is an employer payment on top. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026. It is not deducted from the salary. The minimum wage or award rate is before super.

How to check your pay

Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to calculate minimum pay rates, penalties, and allowances that apply for your award. Downloadable Pay guides provide a summary of current minimum pay rates under an award. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains calculated minimum rates, allowances, overtime, and penalty rates. For more information on which minimum wage applies, see Which minimum wage applies. See rate tables for the current award rates Rate tables.

Important notes

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. Do not assume every worker must receive $26.44 per hour. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, introductory award rates, and supported wages can be lower. The award backstop ensures ongoing classification cannot fall below national minimum. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. Do not say every worker must receive $26.44 per hour. Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages. These national rates apply to national-system employees who are award-free and agreement-free. Most private-sector employees are in the national system. Some state public sector and local government employees and some Western Australian sole traders and partnerships in the state system are covered by state awards instead. A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum. Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages. Orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice. The adult weekly national minimum is the published $1,004.90 figure. Multiplying $26.44 by 38 lands 18 cents lower because of rounding in the order. Casual weekly figures on this site are the published casual hourly rate times 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates.

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