Flight Attendant Salary Australia: Award Rates and Legal Minimum Pay

Flight Attendant Salary Australia: Award Coverage and Minimum Rates

When researching a flight attendant salary australia, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum set by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 and any higher rates that may apply under an enterprise agreement or individual contract. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official award rates, which are the minimum pay floor for most flight attendants employed by airlines operating in Australia.

Who Is Covered by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award?

The Aircraft Cabin Crew Award covers employers of cabin crew and their employees throughout Australia in the classifications listed in clause 14 of the award. This includes cabin crew members, cabin crew supervisors (narrow-bodied aircraft with 4 or more crew), and cabin crew managers (wide-bodied aircraft). The award applies to both full-time and part-time employees, as well as casuals. If an employer is covered by another award that is more appropriate, that award may apply instead. Enterprise agreements can also override the award if they provide overall better conditions.

Minimum Weekly and Hourly Rates (from 1 July 2026)

Under clause 14.2 of the award, the minimum rates for ordinary hours are:

• Cabin crew member: $1,097.40 per week ($28.88 per hour)
• Cabin crew supervisor (narrow-bodied, 4+ crew): $1,280.40 per week ($33.69 per hour)
• Cabin crew manager (wide-bodied): $1,495.50 per week ($39.36 per hour)

These rates apply to full-time employees working a 38-hour week (the standard ordinary hours under the National Employment Standards). Part-time employees are entitled to a pro-rata equivalent. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the hourly rate, making the casual rate for a cabin crew member $36.10 per hour.

Flying Allowance

In addition to the base rate, the award requires a flying allowance of $18.40 per hour for scheduled block hours. This allowance is paid only for flights where the employee actually operates as a cabin crew member. It is not paid for training, standby, or other ground duties. The allowance is separate from the minimum wage and is intended to compensate for the time spent in the air.

Superannuation

Employers must make superannuation contributions on top of the ordinary time earnings. The superannuation guarantee rate is 12% (from 1 July 2026). This means that for a full-time cabin crew member earning the award minimum, the employer must contribute an additional $131.69 per week into a complying super fund. Super is not deducted from the employee's pay; it is an extra payment on top of the base salary.

How Does the Award Rate vs. National Minimum Wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.26 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) for award-free employees. However, the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award sets higher rates that are above the national minimum. For example, the cabin crew member rate of $28.88 is $2.62 per hour higher than the national minimum. This is because modern awards are intended to provide a safety net that reflects the specific nature of the industry.

What About Median Earnings?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish median weekly earnings for the 6-digit occupation of Flight Attendants (ANZSCO 451711) due to high relative standard error. The most recent data from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) shows that median full-time earnings for the broader group of Travel Attendants (ANZSCO 4517) are not available. Therefore, it is not possible to give a reliable survey average for flight attendants. The award minimum is the only publicly available benchmark.

Part-Time and Casual Work

According to the 2021 Census, only 36% of flight attendants work full-time hours (35+ hours per week). The average full-time hours are 40 hours per week. The majority work part-time. Part-time employees under the award are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees for ordinary hours, but on a pro-rata basis for leave and other entitlements. Casual employees get the 25% loading but no paid leave.

Enterprise Agreements and Negotiated Salaries

Some airlines have enterprise agreements that set higher pay rates than the award. For example, major carriers may offer above-award salaries, additional allowances for international flights, or better rosters. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, the agreement rate applies as long as it is not less than the award overall. Always check your employment contract and any applicable agreement.

How to Check Your Pay

You can use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award Pay Guide to verify your minimum entitlements. For more information on how minimum wages work in Australia, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum hourly rate for a flight attendant in Australia?

Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, the minimum hourly rate for a full-time cabin crew member is $28.88 per hour (as of 1 July 2026). Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making the casual rate $36.10 per hour. These rates are higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Do flight attendants get paid a flying allowance on top of their base rate?

Yes. The Aircraft Cabin Crew Award requires employers to pay a flying allowance of $18.40 per hour for scheduled block hours (the time from when the aircraft pushes back from the gate until it arrives at the gate). This allowance is paid in addition to the minimum weekly or hourly rate.

How does the flight attendant salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The award minimum for a cabin crew member ($28.88 per hour) is above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. However, some flight attendants may be covered by enterprise agreements that set higher rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award to help workers check their correct pay.

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