Is the Governor-General's salary a minimum wage?

No, it is a statutory salary set by Parliament under the Governor-General Act 1974. It is not a minimum wage or award rate. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage for most employees, but the Governor-General is not covered by that system.

How does the Governor-General's salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The Governor-General's annual salary of $709,017 is equivalent to about $13,635 per week, while the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult. Even the highest award rates or average full-time earnings ($2,083.70 per week according to the ABS) are far below the Governor-General's salary.

Governor General salary: how it compares with Australia’s minimum wage and average earnings

Q: Does the Governor-General receive superannuation?

Yes, the Commonwealth makes super guarantee contributions on top of the salary, currently at 12% of ordinary time earnings. The Governor-General Act also provides for a benefit payment if the person was not a qualified employee under the Superannuation (Productivity Benefit) Act 1988.

The Governor-General’s salary is fixed by the Governor-General Act 1974 at $709,017 per year, far above any minimum wage floor.

Governor General salary: a fixed statutory amount, not a pay floor

When people search for "governor general salary", they often expect to find a minimum wage or a typical pay rate. In reality, the Governor-General's salary is a fixed annual sum set by an Act of Parliament, not by the Fair Work Commission or any award. The current figure, legislated in the Governor-General Act 1974, is $709,017 per year . This amount is paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and is not negotiable or subject to market forces.

How the Governor-General salary is set

The Governor-General Act 1974 links the salary to the salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. The Parliament sets the rate before a Governor-General takes office and cannot change it during their term. This ensures independence from executive influence. The current salary of $709,017 was set in 2024 and will remain for the five-year term of the current Governor-General, Sam Mostyn. The Act also provides for allowances for former Governors-General and their spouses, calculated as a percentage of the Chief Justice's salary.

The national minimum wage: a different system

For most Australian workers, the pay floor is the national minimum wage, set each year by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour ordinary week. Casual employees receive a loading of 25%, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to award-free and agreement-free national-system employees. However, many workers are covered by modern awards or enterprise agreements that set higher minimum rates. The Governor-General is not covered by any award or agreement; their salary is a standalone statutory entitlement.

Comparing the Governor-General salary with average earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees (including part-time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. The Governor-General's weekly equivalent of $13,634.94 is more than six times the average full-time weekly earnings. This highlights that the Governor-General salary is not a benchmark for typical Australian pay; it is a unique compensation package for the head of state's representative.

Superannuation and other benefits

Like all employees, the Governor-General receives superannuation guarantee contributions on top of the salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. The Governor-General Act also provides for a benefit payment if the person was not a qualified employee under the Superannuation (Productivity Benefit) Act 1988. Additionally, the Governor-General has access to official residences, travel, and other entitlements that are not part of the salary figure.

What people often mix up

A common confusion is thinking the Governor-General salary is a minimum wage or that it is set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. In fact, the Ombudsman explains and enforces the national minimum wage but has no role in the Governor-General's pay. Another mix-up is comparing the Governor-General salary to award rates. Modern award rates, such as the introductory rate of $25.74 per hour (from 1 July 2026), apply to entry-level workers in many industries. The Governor-General salary is not an award rate; it is a fixed statutory amount far above any award classification.

Which pay floor applies to you?

If you are an employee in Australia, your minimum pay depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or are award-free. The national minimum wage is the backstop for award-free employees. For junior employees (under 21), supported wages, apprentices, and trainees, lower rates may apply. The Which minimum wage applies, Rate tables, and Guides pages can help you determine your correct pay floor. The Governor-General salary is not a relevant benchmark for any ordinary employee.

Key takeaway

The Governor-General salary of $709,017 per year is a fixed statutory amount, not a minimum wage or an average. It is set by Parliament and linked to the Chief Justice's salary. For all other Australian workers, the national minimum wage, award rates, or enterprise agreements set the legal minimum. Understanding the difference helps avoid confusion when searching for "governor general salary".