What is Daly Cherry-Evans' actual salary?

The specific figure is not available from the sources used for this guide. Professional NRL salaries are typically set by individual contracts under the NRL Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is not a modern award. For the most current figure, you would need to refer to official NRL or club announcements.

Does the national minimum wage apply to NRL players?

No, NRL players are covered by the NRL Collective Bargaining Agreement, which sets minimum salaries well above the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage applies only to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most professional athletes have their own industrial arrangements.

How does superannuation work for professional athletes like Daly Cherry-Evans?

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of ordinary time earnings. For NRL players, super is paid as per the NRL Collective Bargaining Agreement, which typically requires contributions at the super guarantee rate (currently 12% from 1 July 2026) or higher. Super is an additional payment on top of the salary.

Understanding the daly cherry evans salary in the context of Australia's minimum wage

The specific daly cherry evans salary is not available from the sources used for this guide, but as a professional NRL player it would be set by individual contract under the NRL Collective Bargaining Agreement, far above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Understanding the daly cherry evans salary and Australia's minimum wage

When people search for 'daly cherry evans salary', they are often curious about how a top NRL player's earnings compare to the legal minimum pay in Australia. While the exact figure for his contract is not publicly available from the sources used for this guide, we can use this opportunity to explain how different pay floors work in Australia and where a professional athlete's salary sits in relation to them.

The legal minimum wage floor

Australia has a system of minimum wages that apply to most employees. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This is the base rate for adult employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour.

However, not every worker must receive $26.44 per hour. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and some employees with disability may be paid less under special national minimum wages. For example, an award-free 18-year-old junior is entitled to 68.3% of the adult rate, or $18.06 per hour. Modern awards also have their own minimum rates, which from 1 July 2026 increased by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum wage. Introductory rates limited to the first six months of employment cannot fall below $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

For most employees, the correct minimum wage is found in the modern award that covers their industry or occupation. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a Pay and Conditions Tool to help identify the right award and rates. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement sets the minimum pay, but it cannot be less than the relevant award.

How professional athletes' salaries differ

Professional athletes like Daly Cherry-Evans are not typically covered by modern awards. Instead, they are covered by collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) negotiated between the sport's governing body and the players' union. For the NRL, the CBA sets minimum salaries for players, which are significantly higher than the national minimum wage. For example, the NRL minimum salary for a top-30 player is well over $100,000 per year. Individual contracts can be much higher, especially for marquee players.

Because these agreements are registered with the Fair Work Commission, they replace the modern award for those employees. The national minimum wage still acts as a safety net, but in practice, NRL players earn far above it. The same principle applies to other professional sports: AFL, rugby union, soccer, and basketball all have their own CBAs.

If you are not covered by an award or agreement, the national minimum wage applies. But if you are covered by a CBA or enterprise agreement, that document sets your minimum pay. Always check your employment contract and the applicable industrial instrument.

What to do if you're unsure about your own pay

If you want to check whether you are being paid correctly, start by identifying if a modern award covers your job. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's resources or consult Which minimum wage applies on this site. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage applies, but remember the exceptions for juniors, apprentices, and trainees. You can also refer to our Rate tables for current figures.

Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. This is an additional payment, not part of the hourly rate. For example, if your base hourly rate is $26.44, your employer must also contribute $3.17 per hour to your super fund.

Conclusion

While the exact 'daly cherry evans salary' is not available from the sources used for this guide, the key takeaway is that professional athletes are covered by their own industrial agreements, which set pay far above the national minimum. For most Australian workers, understanding which award or agreement applies is the first step to ensuring correct pay. The national minimum wage is a floor, not a target, and many workers are entitled to more under their award or agreement.

For more detailed information, see our Guides on how to calculate your minimum entitlements, or read How the figures work to understand the methodology behind the rates on this site.