What is the minimum hourly rate for a flight attendant under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award?

The minimum base hourly rate for a full-time cabin crew member is $28.88 as of 1 July 2026. In addition, a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour is paid when the crew member is operating a flight. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the base rate instead of paid leave.

Does the national minimum wage apply to flight attendants?

No. Flight attendants are covered by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award, which sets higher minimum rates than the national minimum wage. The award rate takes precedence, so the national minimum of $26.44 per hour does not apply to award-covered employees.

Can flight attendants earn more than the award rate?

Yes. Many flight attendants are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts that provide pay above the award minimum. The award is a safety net; employers and employees can agree on higher rates, and unions often negotiate better conditions.

Flight Attendant Salary in Australia: Award Minimums and What They Mean

The minimum base rate for a full-time cabin crew member is $28.88 per hour plus a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour, with superannuation on top.

Understanding the flight attendant salary floor in Australia

When people search for "flight attendant salary" in Australia, they often encounter a mix of figures from job ads, union campaigns, and government sources. The key is to separate the legal minimum from what employers actually pay. This guide explains the pay floor set by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award and how it interacts with the national minimum wage.

The legal minimum: Aircraft Cabin Crew Award

The Fair Work Commission's Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 (MA000047) covers most flight attendants (called cabin crew in the award). From 1 July 2026, the minimum base rate for a full-time cabin crew member is $28.88 per hour, or $1,097.40 per week for a 38-hour week. There are higher classifications for supervisors and managers: a cabin crew supervisor on narrow-bodied aircraft with four or more crew earns at least $33.69 per hour, and a cabin crew manager on wide-bodied aircraft earns at least $39.36 per hour. These rates are set by the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides and are updated annually.

Flying allowance and other payments

On top of the base rate, the award requires a flying allowance of $18.40 per hour for scheduled block hours (the time the aircraft is in the air). This allowance partly compensates for meals and incidentals, with a daily travelling allowance component calculated from ATO travel allowance rates. So while a flight attendant's total hourly pay while flying can exceed $47, the base rate applies during ground duties such as pre-flight briefings or layovers. The award also includes penalty rates for overtime, weekend, and public holiday work, which can further increase earnings.

How the award rate compares to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for adults. However, this does not apply to flight attendants because they are covered by a modern award with higher rates. The award's lowest ongoing classification (cabin crew member) is already above the national minimum. Introductory rates for new employees in their first six months are $25.74 per hour, but these are also superseded by the award's own introductory provisions if applicable. In practice, most flight attendants are paid at least the award rate, and often more under enterprise agreements.

Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements

Many major airlines have enterprise agreements that set pay above the award. For example, Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Rex have negotiated rates that include additional allowances, better rosters, and higher base pay. These agreements are registered with the Fair Work Commission and override the award. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, your minimum pay is the agreement rate, not the award rate. Always check your employment contract or union for the exact figure.

What about casual flight attendants?

Casual cabin crew members receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate (so $36.10 per hour for a cabin crew member) instead of paid leave and other entitlements. They are also entitled to a minimum payment of four hours' work per shift. The flying allowance applies to casuals as well, but the casual loading is not paid on the allowance.

Summary

The legal minimum "flight attendant salary" in Australia is the award rate: $28.88 per hour base plus $18.40 per block hour flying allowance for a full-time cabin crew member. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings. Actual pay can be higher due to enterprise agreements, penalty rates, and overtime. For more details, see our Which minimum wage applies guide or browse Rate tables for award classifications.

Note: This information is for guidance only. Always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides or your enterprise agreement for your exact entitlements.

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