How does the HEW 8 salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for award-free employees. HEW 8 rates under the award are significantly higher. For example, the lowest HEW 8 classification step is usually above $40 per hour, but you must check the current award or your enterprise agreement for exact figures. The national minimum wage acts only as a legal backstop; the award rate prevails if it is higher.

Is superannuation included in the HEW 8 salary?

No. The HEW 8 salary figure quoted in advertisements or award schedules is the base rate of pay before tax. Superannuation is paid on top of this base rate. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. Employers must pay super separately, and it cannot be counted as part of the minimum wage or salary.

HEW 8 salary: what the classification means and how it compares to minimum pay floors

Q: What is a HEW 8 salary?

HEW 8 (Higher Education Worker Level 8) is a classification used in Australian universities under the Higher Education Industry – General Staff – Award 2020 (or equivalent enterprise agreements). It covers professional staff with advanced skills, often in management, specialist, or supervisory roles. The minimum salary for HEW 8 is set by the award or any applicable enterprise agreement, and it is typically well above the national minimum wage.

The HEW 8 salary is a classification under the Higher Education Industry Award; the minimum rate is set by that award and is higher than the national minimum wage, but the exact figure depends on the step and employer.

What is a HEW 8 salary?

The term HEW 8 salary refers to the minimum pay rate for a Higher Education Worker Level 8 under the Higher Education Industry – General Staff – Award 2020 (or an equivalent enterprise agreement). This classification is used by Australian universities for professional staff who perform complex, specialised work – for example, senior project officers, IT specialists, or managers. The award sets out minimum annual salaries for each classification level and step, and these rates are reviewed each year as part of the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.

Because the HEW 8 salary is an award rate, it is a legal minimum for employees covered by that award. However, many universities have enterprise agreements that set higher rates. The exact figure depends on the step within the classification (e.g., HEW 8.1, HEW 8.2) and whether the employer applies the award or an agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool is the best place to find the current minimum rates for your specific situation.

How the HEW 8 salary relates to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage – $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026 – is the absolute floor for award-free employees. But if you are covered by the Higher Education Award, the HEW 8 salary replaces the national minimum wage. The award rate is almost always higher. For example, even the lowest HEW classification (HEW 1) is above the national minimum, and HEW 8 is several steps above that.

It is important to separate the legal minimum from a survey average or a negotiated salary. The HEW 8 salary is the minimum you must be paid if you are classified at that level under the award. Your actual pay could be higher if your university’s enterprise agreement provides more, or if you have negotiated a personal salary above the award. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that an enterprise agreement cannot set a base rate lower than the relevant award rate.

Superannuation is on top

When discussing the HEW 8 salary, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of your base pay. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So if your HEW 8 salary is, say, $80,000 per year, your employer must also contribute $9,600 in super. The salary figure you see in advertisements or award tables is before tax and before super.

Where to check the current HEW 8 rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage and reviews award rates each year. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides and the Pay and Conditions Tool. Because the search results for this guide did not include the specific HEW 8 dollar amounts, you should visit the Ombudsman’s website and use the tool with your award and classification. Alternatively, check your university’s enterprise agreement on the Fair Work Commission’s website.

For a broader understanding of how minimum wages work in Australia, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables. These pages explain the difference between award-free minimums, award rates, and the national minimum wage.

Other pay rules that may apply

Casual loading: If you are employed casually, the award or agreement usually adds a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. The HEW 8 salary in the award is typically for permanent employees; casuals receive a higher hourly rate.
Penalty rates: Some HEW staff may work evenings, weekends, or public holidays. The award includes penalty rates for those hours, which are paid on top of the base salary.
Junior and apprentice rates: The HEW classification does not normally apply to juniors or apprentices; those are covered by separate provisions in the award or the Miscellaneous Award for award-free employees.

Summary

The HEW 8 salary is a specific minimum pay level under the Higher Education Industry Award. It is higher than the national minimum wage, but the exact amount depends on the classification step and any applicable enterprise agreement. Always check the Fair Work Ombudsman’s tools for the most current rates. Superannuation is paid on top of the salary, and penalty rates or casual loadings may increase your total pay.

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