What is the minimum wage for a beauty therapist in Australia?

The minimum wage depends on the award classification. Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, a beauty therapist at Level 1 must be paid at least $27.81 per hour (from 1 July 2026). Higher levels attract higher rates, up to $32.00 per hour for Level 6. If no award applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour is the floor, but most beauty therapists are covered by the award.

Do beauty therapists get paid super?

Yes. Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For example, a beauty therapist earning the award minimum of $27.81 per hour would receive an additional $3.34 per hour in super, paid into a nominated fund.

How does the award rate compare to the national minimum wage?

The award rates for beauty therapists are higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. The lowest award classification (Level 1) is $27.81 per hour, which is $1.37 above the national minimum. The award also includes penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, which the national minimum does not specify.

Beauty Therapist Salary: Legal Minimums, Award Rates, and What the ABS Reports

The legal minimum for a beauty therapist covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award ranges from $27.81 per hour (Level 1) to $32.00 (Level 6), while the ABS reports a median full-time hourly rate of $33.

Beauty Therapist Salary: Understanding the Pay Floor

When researching a beauty therapist salary in Australia, it is essential to separate the legal minimum from survey averages and negotiated rates. The pay floor is set by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, which covers most employees working in beauty therapy, including nail technicians, makeup artists, and skin therapists. The award is updated each year by the Fair Work Commission, and the rates below apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Award Minimum Rates

The Hair and Beauty Industry Award classifies employees into six levels based on skill and responsibility. For a fully qualified beauty therapist, the minimum hourly rate ranges from $27.81 (Level 1) to $32.00 (Level 6). These rates are published by the Fair Work Ombudsman and are legally enforceable. provides the full classification definitions and pay tables. Employers cannot pay less than the award rate for the relevant classification, and junior employees receive a percentage of the adult rate (e.g., 50% for under 17, 75% for 17, 100% for 18 and over).

The National Minimum Wage as a Backstop

Even if an employee is not covered by an award, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week) applies. However, because the award rates are higher, the national minimum acts as a safety net rather than the primary rate for beauty therapists. Casual employees under the award receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate, bringing the casual rate for Level 1 to $34.76 per hour.

What the ABS Survey Shows

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, through the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2023), reports a median full‑time hourly earnings of $33 for beauty therapists. This figure is often cited as a typical beauty therapist salary, but it is a survey average, not a legal requirement. notes that median full‑time weekly earnings are $1,200, compared to $1,697 for all occupations. Only 39% of beauty therapists work full‑time, and the median age is 33 years. The ABS data is useful for benchmarking but does not replace the award minimum.

Superannuation and Other Entitlements

All wages discussed are before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a full‑time beauty therapist on the Level 1 rate, that adds about $3.34 per hour to the total employment cost. Award‑free employees also receive super, and enterprise agreements may set higher rates than the award.

Common Confusions

A frequent mistake is treating the ABS median as the minimum wage. The median of $33 per hour is above the award floor, meaning many beauty therapists earn more than the minimum, but it is not a legal entitlement. Another confusion is assuming the national minimum wage applies to all beauty therapists; in practice, the award covers most employees and sets higher rates. Finally, some forget that super is paid on top, so a quoted salary of $27.81 per hour actually costs the employer about $31.15 per hour including super.

For more detail on which pay floor applies to your situation, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement may override the award, but it cannot provide less than the award minimum overall.

Apprentice and Trainee Rates

Beauty therapy apprentices and trainees have separate minimum rates under the award. For example, a first‑year apprentice who has completed Year 12 receives $16.20 per hour, while a beauty therapy graduate in the first 12 months receives $27.24 per hour. These rates are lower than the qualified employee rates and reflect the training component. The award also specifies penalty rates for Saturday (133%), Sunday (200%), and public holidays (250%).

Understanding the difference between the legal minimum, the award rate, and survey averages helps both employees and employers set fair and compliant pay. Always check the latest award or consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for your specific classification.

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