What is the minimum wage for a diesel fitter in Australia?

There is no single minimum wage for diesel fitters. If you are covered by a modern award, the award sets the minimum rate. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) applies. Most diesel fitters are covered by an award, so check the relevant award for the correct rate.

How do I find the correct award rate for a diesel fitter?

Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool. It asks about your industry and job role to identify the correct award and classification. You can also download the relevant pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman's website. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database provides detailed spreadsheets of minimum rates, allowances, and penalties.

Is superannuation included in the diesel fitter salary?

No. The salary or wage you see is before tax and does not include superannuation. Employers must pay an additional 12% super guarantee on top of your ordinary time earnings. For example, if your hourly rate is $30, your employer pays an extra $3.60 into your super fund.

Diesel Fitter Salary: Understanding the Pay Floor and How to Check Your Rate

The diesel fitter salary is not specified in the web search results, but the national minimum wage sets a floor of $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, with higher award rates likely applicable.

Diesel Fitter Salary: What You Need to Know

If you're searching for a diesel fitter salary, you're likely trying to work out what you should be paid or what to offer. The answer depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or no award at all. This guide explains the legal minimums, how award rates work, and where to find the exact figure for your situation.

The Legal Minimum for a Diesel Fitter

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 full-time adult employee not covered by an award or agreement. Casual employees get an extra 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. However, most diesel fitters are covered by a modern award, which almost always sets a higher minimum rate than the national minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that employees covered by an award are entitled to the minimum pay rates in that award, including penalty rates and allowances . The Fair Work Commission publishes the Modern Awards Pay Database with detailed spreadsheets of minimum rates for each award .

Award Rates for Diesel Fitters

Diesel fitters typically work in industries such as transport, manufacturing, or automotive repair. Common awards that may cover diesel fitters include the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, the Vehicle Manufacturing, Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020, or the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020. Each award has multiple classification levels based on skill and experience. The exact rate for a diesel fitter under these awards is not published in the web search results we used, but you can find it using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or by downloading the relevant pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman's website. The pay guides list minimum pay rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees, along with monetary allowances and the most frequently used penalty rates .

Survey Averages vs. Award Rates vs. Negotiated Salaries

It's important to distinguish between different types of pay figures:

Legal minimum: The award rate or national minimum wage that must be paid.
Survey average: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data. As of May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, and all employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. These are broad averages, not specific to diesel fitters.
Award rate: The minimum set by the applicable modern award, which may be higher than the national minimum.
Negotiated salary: What an employer and employee agree on, which can be above the award rate. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates.

If you are comparing a job offer or your current pay, check the award rate first. That is your legal floor. Anything above that is a matter of negotiation.

Superannuation: An Extra Payment on Top

When discussing a diesel fitter salary, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of your gross pay. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For example, if your hourly rate is $35, your employer must pay an additional $4.20 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your wage; it is an extra cost to the employer.

How to Check Your Own Rate

To find the correct minimum rate for your job:

Identify your award using the Fair Work Ombudsman's tool or by reading the coverage clauses of likely awards.
Find your classification level based on your duties and qualifications.
Look up the hourly or weekly rate in the pay guide or the Modern Awards Pay Database.
Add any allowances you are entitled to (e.g., tool allowance, shift penalties).
Remember that casual employees get a 25% loading instead of paid leave.

For more help, see our Rate tables for national minimum wage history and our Guides on understanding awards and agreements.

Final Thoughts

A diesel fitter salary is not a single number. It depends on the award, classification, and any agreement in place. The legal minimum is the award rate or the national minimum wage, whichever is higher. Use official sources from the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission to get accurate, up-to-date figures. If you are unsure, seek advice from a union or employer association.