Are accountants covered by an award?

It depends on the employer and duties. Accountants working for an accounting firm are not covered by any award and are entitled to the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards. Accountants employed outside accounting firms may be covered by an award if their employer is in an industry covered by an award (e.g., Banking, Finance and Insurance Award, Black Coal Award) and their duties match the classifications. The Miscellaneous Award does not cover professional employees including accountants. If no award applies, the national minimum wage is the floor.

Do accountants receive superannuation on top of their salary?

Yes. Employers must pay the super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is a separate payment and is not part of the quoted salary. For example, if an accountant earns $2,003 per week, the employer also contributes about $240.36 to super. The super guarantee rate is legislated and may increase in future years.

Can an accountant be paid a casual loading?

If an accountant is award-free and engaged as a casual employee, they are entitled to the national minimum wage for casuals, which is $33.05 per hour (including the 25% casual loading) from 1 July 2026. Award-covered accountants may have different casual loadings specified in the relevant award. Always check the applicable award or agreement for the correct casual rate.

Accountant Salary Australia: Minimum Wage, Award Coverage & Median Earnings

The legal minimum for award-free accountants is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week), but many accountants earn above this; the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,003.

Understanding the Accountant Salary Australia Landscape

When researching an accountant salary in Australia, it is essential to distinguish between the legal minimum pay floor and the typical earnings reported in surveys. The legal minimum depends on award coverage, while the median gives a realistic picture of what accountants actually earn. This guide explains both, using the latest figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Legal Minimum Pay for Accountants

For accountants not covered by any modern award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From the first full pay period on or after 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 employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

However, many accountants are covered by an award. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that accountants working for an accounting firm are not covered by any award and therefore fall back to the national minimum wage. Accountants employed in other industries may be covered by awards such as the Banking, Finance and Insurance Award, the Black Coal Award, or the Electrical Power Award, provided their duties match the classifications in that award. The Miscellaneous Award explicitly excludes professional employees, including accountants. If an award applies, the minimum pay rates in that award (which are often higher than the national minimum) must be paid. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates.

It is important to note that junior employees (under 21) who are award-free are entitled to a percentage of the adult national minimum wage. For example, a 20-year-old award-free accountant would receive 97.7% of $26.44, or $25.84 per hour. Apprentices and trainees have separate rates under the Miscellaneous Award. Always check the applicable award or agreement to determine the correct minimum.

Median Earnings for Accountants

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, through the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for accountants (ANZSCO 2211) is $2,003 before tax. This is significantly higher than the national minimum wage and reflects the professional nature of the role. The median hourly earnings are $53. Accountants work an average of 43 hours per week, and 84% work full-time. These figures are a guide only and do not represent a legal minimum; they are influenced by experience, location, and industry.

For comparison, the ABS also reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all occupations are $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). Accountants' median of $2,003 is slightly below this average, but still well above the national minimum.

Superannuation and Other Payments

Employers must pay the super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is not deducted from the quoted salary; it is an additional payment. For an accountant earning $2,003 per week, the employer contributes approximately $240.36 to super. The super guarantee rate is legislated and may increase in future years. Salary sacrifice arrangements can affect the taxable income but do not reduce the super obligation.

Casual Loading and Penalty Rates

Casual accountants who are award-free receive the casual national minimum wage of $33.05 per hour. If covered by an award, the award may specify a different casual loading (often 25% or a flat amount). Penalty rates for weekend or public holiday work apply only if the award or agreement provides for them. Award-free employees have no entitlement to penalty rates beyond the national minimum wage.

How to Determine Your Pay Floor

To find the correct minimum wage for your situation, start by identifying whether you are covered by a modern award. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or check the Which minimum wage applies guide on this site. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage applies. If covered by an award, look up the classification in the Rate tables section. Remember that enterprise agreements can override award rates, but they cannot go below the award minimum.

Summary

The accountant salary in Australia varies widely. The legal minimum for award-free accountants is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026, but most accountants earn well above that. The median full-time weekly earnings of $2,003 provide a realistic benchmark. Always consider superannuation as an employer cost on top, and check award coverage to ensure you are receiving the correct minimum pay.

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