What is the minimum journalist salary under the award?

The Journalists Published Media Award 2020 sets minimum rates from Level 1 at $32.13 per hour or $1,221.10 per week for full-time employees as of 1 July 2026. Higher levels pay more, up to Level 13 at $61.12 per hour.

Do all journalists get this award rate?

No. The award covers journalists in the published media industry (newspapers, magazines, online publications, wire services). Journalists in other industries or those covered by enterprise agreements may have different minimums. Award-free journalists are entitled to the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Is superannuation included in the journalist salary?

No. Superannuation is paid on top of the salary. The minimum super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026, paid by the employer.

Journalist salary: Award rates and minimum pay for journalists in Australia

The minimum salary for a journalist covered by the Journalists Published Media Award 2020 is $32.13 per hour or $1,221.10 per week (Level 1, full-time) as of 1 July 2026, plus 12% superannuation.

Journalist salary under the award

If you work as a journalist in Australia, your minimum pay is likely set by the Journalists Published Media Award 2020 (MA000067). This award covers employers in the published media industry – newspapers, magazines, periodicals, journals, online publications and wire services – and their employees engaged in journalism, including literary, artistic and photographic branches, and the gathering, writing or preparing of news matter or news commentaries.

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the award and its minimum rates. As of 1 July 2026, the award contains 13 pay levels across three bands. The lowest full-time classification (Level 1) pays $32.13 per hour or $1,221.10 per week. Rates increase with skill and responsibility up to Level 13 at $61.12 per hour or $2,322.60 per week.

These are the legal minimums for employees covered by the award. An employer cannot pay less, but an enterprise agreement or individual contract may set a higher rate. The award also provides for casual loadings, penalty rates and allowances. For the full list of classifications and rates, see the award pay guide on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

Who is covered?

The award applies to journalists whose work falls within the published media industry. It excludes employees who are covered by a modern enterprise award, or those in positions with an annual salary greater than the Level 11 rate and involving significant editorial, artistic or managerial control. If you are not covered by any award, you are award‑free and your minimum pay is the national minimum wage.

Comparing award rates to the national minimum

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for full‑time adults. The lowest journalist award rate ($32.13) is about 22% higher. This reflects the specialised skills and industry conditions of journalism.

If you are award‑free (for example, a journalist working in a non‑publishing role or a freelancer not covered by the award), your minimum is the national minimum. However, many journalists in practice earn more than the award minimum, especially at senior levels. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings across all industries were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, but that figure includes many occupations and is not a journalist‑specific average.

Award‑free junior rates

For award‑free journalists under 21, the national minimum is adjusted by junior percentages. For example, a 17‑year‑old award‑free journalist must receive at least $15.29 per hour (57.8% of the adult rate). Casual employees get a 25% loading on top.

Superannuation and other entitlements

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of the salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a Level 1 journalist on the award minimum, that adds about $3.86 per hour or $146.53 per week to the total employment cost.

Other entitlements under the award include:

Overtime and penalty rates for weekend, shift or public holiday work.
Allowances for expenses, special skills or working conditions.
Annual leave, personal leave and long service leave under the National Employment Standards.

How to check your journalist salary

To determine your correct minimum pay:

Check if the Journalists Published Media Award covers your role and employer. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Which minimum wage applies tool can help.
Find your classification level in the award. The Rate tables on this site summarise the current award rates.
If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set higher rates. Always compare the agreement to the award – the higher of the two applies.
If you are award‑free, the national minimum wage is your floor.

Remember that actual journalist salaries can be much higher than the minimum, especially for experienced reporters, editors or specialist correspondents. The award minimum is a safety net, not a benchmark for market rates.

For more detail on how pay floors are calculated, see our How the figures work guide.