What is the minimum wage for a mining engineer under the Mining Industry Award?

The Mining Industry Award 2020 sets minimum rates for classifications up to Level 7. A mining engineer typically falls under Level 5 (Advanced Specialist), which from 1 July 2026 pays $1,271.80 per week or $33.47 per hour for a full-time adult employee. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the hourly rate to $41.84. However, many mining engineers are covered by enterprise agreements that provide higher pay.

How does the median mining engineer salary compare to the award minimum?

According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for mining engineers is $3,518, and the median hourly rate is $79. This is more than double the award minimum for Level 5. The difference reflects the high demand for skilled engineers and the inclusion of allowances, bonuses, and negotiated salaries above the award floor.

Is superannuation included in the mining engineer salary figures?

No. The award minimum rates and the ABS median earnings figures are before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay an additional 12% super guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings. For example, on the median weekly salary of $3,518, the employer would contribute an extra $422.16 per week into the employee's super fund.

Mining Engineer Salary: Award Minimums, Median Earnings, and What You Take Home

The legal minimum for a mining engineer under the Mining Industry Award is at least $1,271.80 per week (Level 5), but typical earnings are much higher, with a median of $3,518 per week according to ABS data.

Mining Engineer Salary: What the Research Shows

When researching a mining engineer salary in Australia, you need to separate the legal minimum from what is typically paid. The legal floor is set by the Mining Industry Award 2020 (MA000011), while survey data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows the median earnings for the occupation. This guide explains both and looks at what you actually take home after tax, Medicare, and super.

The Legal Minimum Under the Mining Industry Award

The Mining Industry Award covers employers and employees in the mining industry across Australia. For a mining engineer, the most relevant classification is Level 5 – Advanced Specialist. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time adult employee at Level 5 is $1,271.80, or $33.47 per hour. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the hourly rate to $41.84. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

It is important to note that the award is a safety net. Most mining engineers are employed under enterprise agreements that provide higher wages, allowances, and conditions. If an enterprise agreement applies, it overrides the award as long as it does not reduce overall entitlements. Always check your employment contract or agreement to see which rate applies to you.

Median Earnings from ABS Data

The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) provides a more realistic picture of what mining engineers earn. The median full-time weekly earnings for mining engineers is $3,518, and the median hourly rate is $79. These figures are for full-time non-managerial adult employees and exclude part-time and junior workers. The median is a better guide than the average because it is not skewed by a few very high or very low salaries.

Jobs and Skills Australia also reports that 93% of mining engineers work full-time, with an average of 50 hours per week. The median age is 40, and only 15% are women. These demographics help explain the high earnings – experienced professionals in a male-dominated, high-demand field.

What You Take Home: Tax, Medicare, and Super

Understanding your mining engineer salary means looking beyond the gross figure. The national minimum wage for award-free adults is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, but mining engineers earn well above that. Using the median weekly earnings of $3,518, here is an estimate of deductions for the 2026-27 tax year:

Gross annual salary: $182,936 (52 weeks at $3,518)
Estimated tax (resident, full tax-free threshold): approximately $52,000 (varies with individual circumstances)
Medicare levy (2% once income exceeds $30,000): about $3,659
Net annual take-home: around $127,277, or $2,447 per week

Superannuation is paid on top by the employer. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. On the median salary, that adds $422 per week to your super fund, or $21,944 per year. This is not included in your take-home pay but is a valuable part of your total compensation package.

How the Figures Work

It is essential to distinguish between the award minimum, a survey median, and your actual negotiated salary. The award minimum is a legal floor that cannot be undercut. The median from the ABS is a statistical snapshot of what people in the occupation earn. Your individual salary may be higher or lower depending on experience, location, employer, and the terms of your enterprise agreement. For more on how we calculate these figures, see How the figures work.

If you are unsure which award or agreement covers you, use the Which minimum wage applies tool to check. Remember that the Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice and resources to help you understand your entitlements.

Key Takeaways

The legal minimum for a mining engineer under the Mining Industry Award Level 5 is $1,271.80 per week ($33.47 per hour) from 1 July 2026.
The median mining engineer salary is $3,518 per week ($79 per hour) according to ABS data.
Enterprise agreements often set higher rates than the award.
Superannuation of 12% is paid by the employer on top of your salary.
Take-home pay after tax and Medicare is roughly 70% of gross, but this varies.

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