Air Hostess Salary: Minimum Award Rates and How They Compare

Understanding the air hostess salary in Australia

If you're looking for the air hostess salary in Australia, the most reliable starting point is the legal minimum set by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 (MA000047). This award covers all cabin crew employed by airlines operating in Australia, unless a specific enterprise agreement applies.

The award minimum rates (from 1 July 2026)

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the current award rates. Under clause 14.2 of the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award, the minimum weekly and hourly rates are:

• Cabin crew member: $1,097.40 per week / $28.88 per hour
• Cabin crew supervisor (narrow-bodied aircraft, 4 or more crew): $1,280.40 per week / $33.69 per hour
• Cabin crew manager (wide-bodied aircraft): $1,495.50 per week / $39.36 per hour

These are the minimums for full-time employees. Part-time and casual employees receive proportional rates, with casuals getting a 25% loading on the hourly rate (clause 11.1).

Flying allowance on top

In addition to the base hourly rate, the award requires a flying allowance of $18.40 per hour for scheduled block hours (clause 17.3). This is paid only for time actually spent flying as a cabin crew member. So the effective hourly rate while airborne is higher.

How this compares to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Because the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award sets higher rates, the award minimum applies instead. The cabin crew member rate of $28.88 is about 9% above the national minimum.

Superannuation is extra

All minimum rates are before tax. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a full-time cabin crew member on the award minimum, that's an additional $131.69 per week contributed to a super fund.

Enterprise agreements can pay more

Many major airlines have enterprise agreements that set higher pay rates than the award. If you work under an enterprise agreement, check that agreement for your exact pay. The award is the legal floor – your actual air hostess salary may be higher.

How to check your pay

If you're an air hostess, compare your hourly rate (including flying allowance) to the award minimum. Use the Which minimum wage applies guide to see if you're covered by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award or another instrument. You can also check Rate tables for the latest figures.

What about average earnings?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average weekly earnings for full-time adults, but does not publish a specific figure for cabin crew. The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week across all industries. Actual air hostess salaries vary by airline, experience, and hours flown. Without a published median from a reliable source, we cannot give a precise average.

Key points to remember

• The legal minimum air hostess salary is set by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award, not the national minimum wage.
• The award minimum for a cabin crew member is $28.88 per hour plus a $18.40 flying allowance.
• Superannuation of 12% is paid on top by the employer.
• Enterprise agreements may provide higher rates.
• Junior, apprentice, and supported wage rates may be lower in some circumstances – check the award for details.

For more information, see the Guides section or How the figures work.