Air traffic controller salary: award rates, enterprise agreements and the national minimum

Understanding the air traffic controller salary landscape

When researching an air traffic controller salary in Australia, it is important to separate the legal minimum from the rates set by the specific award and the enterprise agreement that covers most controllers. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026) is a backstop, but it does not apply to air traffic controllers because they are covered by a modern enterprise award and a registered enterprise agreement that both pay more.

The legal minimum: the Airservices Australia Enterprise Award 2016

The Fair Work Commission has approved the Airservices Australia Enterprise Award 2016 [MA000141], which sets minimum wages for air traffic controller classifications. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the current rates. As of 1 July 2026, the annual award rates are:

• Air Traffic Controller—Academy Trainee: $58,352
• Air Traffic Controller—Field Trainee: $71,294
• Air Traffic Controller: $84,771
• Unit Tower Supervisor: $94,526
• Check & Standardisation Supervisor—Air Traffic Control: $100,157
• Systems Supervisor: $100,157

These are the legal minimums. An employer cannot pay less than these rates for employees covered by this award. The award also provides for a 25% casual loading instead of paid leave entitlements. Note that junior rates do not apply because air traffic controllers are adults.

The enterprise agreement: higher negotiated salaries

Most air traffic controllers are employed by Airservices Australia under the Airservices Australia (Air Traffic Control and Supporting Air Traffic Services) Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. This agreement overrides the award and sets higher base salaries. The base salary table from Airservices Australia shows:

• Ab Initio Trainee: $60,000 on commencement, rising to $64,398 after 24 months
• Field Trainee: $85,952 on commencement, rising to $92,251 after 24 months
• Level 1: $116,990 on commencement, rising to $125,564 after 24 months
• Level 2: $131,317 on commencement, rising to $140,941 after 24 months
• Level 3: $145,641 on commencement, rising to $156,315 after 24 months
• Level 4: $158,373 on commencement, rising to $169,981 after 24 months
• Level 5: $171,107 on commencement, rising to $183,648 after 24 months
• Level 6: $186,229 on commencement, rising to $199,878 after 24 months
• Level 7: $198,961 on commencement, rising to $213,544 after 24 months
• Level 8: $211,696 on commencement, rising to $227,212 after 24 months
• Level 9: $218,858 on commencement, rising to $234,898 after 24 months
• Level 10: $226,955 on commencement, rising to $243,589 after 24 months
• SY TTCU: $242,639 on commencement (grandfathered from 1 July 2025)
• UTS: $247,968 on commencement
• CSS / SS: $247,968 on commencement
• SY CSS/Supervisor: $266,901 on commencement (grandfathered)

These base salaries do not include allowances such as Surveillance Advisory (5% of base salary), Simultaneous Operations Allowance (9–18%), or Complexity Allowance (up to $4,007 per year). Shift penalties also apply. The agreement was approved after the Fair Work Commission confirmed it passes the Better Off Overall Test, meaning total pay is higher than the award.

How the rates compare with the national minimum

To put these figures in perspective, the adult national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Even the lowest enterprise agreement rate for an Ab Initio Trainee ($60,000 per year, or about $1,153.85 per week) is above the national minimum. The award rate for a qualified Air Traffic Controller ($84,771 per year, or $1,630.21 per week) is 62% higher than the national minimum. The enterprise agreement Level 1 rate ($116,990 per year, or $2,249.81 per week) is more than double the national minimum.

Superannuation is on top

All salary figures quoted are before tax and do not include superannuation. The superannuation guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into the employee's super fund from 1 July 2026. For a Level 1 controller on $116,990, that is an extra $14,038.80 per year.

Which pay floor applies to you?

If you are an air traffic controller employed by Airservices Australia, your pay floor is the enterprise agreement. If you work for a different employer that is not covered by that agreement, the Airservices Australia Enterprise Award 2016 sets the minimum. In both cases, the national minimum wage is irrelevant because the award and agreement rates are higher. For more detail on how minimum wages work across different industries, see Which minimum wage applies and our Rate tables.

A note on casual employment

The award allows casual employment only on an irregular and intermittent basis. Casual air traffic controllers receive a 25% loading on the hourly rate instead of paid leave. The enterprise agreement may have different casual provisions; check the specific terms.

For a deeper explanation of how the figures are calculated, visit How the figures work. You can also explore Topics for more industry-specific guides.