What is the minimum wage for a nuclear engineer in Australia?

The legal minimum for any adult national-system employee who is award-free and agreement-free is the national minimum wage: $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026. However, most nuclear engineers are likely covered by a modern award (such as the Professional Employees Award) or an enterprise agreement, which can set a higher rate. The on-site reference does not contain a specific market rate for nuclear engineers.

Does superannuation apply to a nuclear engineer salary?

Yes. The superannuation guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into the employee's super fund. This is on top of the quoted salary or wage. For example, on a weekly salary of $1,004.90, the employer would contribute an extra $120.59 in super.

How does the national minimum wage compare to average earnings for professionals?

The ABS reported full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. That average covers all occupations, not just nuclear engineers. A nuclear engineer's salary is typically well above the national minimum wage, but the exact figure depends on the employer, experience, and any applicable award or agreement. The on-site reference does not provide a specific nuclear engineer salary.

Nuclear engineer salary: legal floor and how it compares

The legal floor for a nuclear engineer salary is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, but a precise market rate is not available in the on-site reference.

Nuclear engineer salary and the legal minimum

When discussing a nuclear engineer salary in Australia, the first point of reference is the legal pay floor. The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission, is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adult employees from 1 July 2026. This rate applies to national-system employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. However, most nuclear engineers work under the Professional Employees Award or a tailored enterprise agreement, which typically mandates a higher rate.

Separating the legal minimum from other pay concepts

It is important to distinguish between the legal minimum, a survey average, an award rate, and a negotiated salary. The national minimum wage is the absolute floor. A modern award sets minimum wages for specific industries and occupations; for example, the Professional Employees Award includes classification levels that often exceed the national minimum. An enterprise agreement, negotiated between an employer and employees (or their union), can set rates above the award. Survey averages, such as those published by the ABS or industry bodies, reflect typical market rates but are not legally binding. The on-site reference does not contain a specific survey average for nuclear engineers.

Superannuation: an employer payment on top

When discussing any salary figure, remember that the superannuation guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into the employee's super fund. This is not deducted from the quoted salary; it is an extra cost to the employer. For a nuclear engineer earning $2,000 per week, the employer would contribute $240 in super. The national minimum wage figures already assume super is paid on top.

How the figures work

The national minimum wage figures on this site are the official rates published by the Fair Work Commission. They apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. The adult weekly rate of $1,004.90 is the published figure; multiplying $26.44 by 38 hours gives a slightly different result due to rounding. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual hourly rate $33.05. Junior employees, apprentices, and trainees may be paid less under specific rules. For award-free juniors, percentages of the adult rate apply (e.g., 68.3% at age 18).

Award coverage and enterprise agreements

A modern award or enterprise agreement can set a higher rate than the national minimum. If a nuclear engineer is covered by the Professional Employees Award, their minimum wage will be determined by the classification level in that award. The award backstop ensures that the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. Introductory rates (first six months) are capped at $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. Always check the applicable award or agreement for the correct minimum.

Tax and take-home pay considerations

For the 2026-27 tax year, resident employees with the full tax-free threshold pay income tax on a sliding scale. Medicare levy of 2% applies once annualised ordinary gross income exceeds $30,000. The low-income tax offset and other offsets may reduce tax, but this model excludes them for simplicity. A nuclear engineer earning $100,000 per year would have a weekly gross of about $1,923, with tax and Medicare reducing take-home pay. The employer also pays 12% super on top.

Summary

The legal floor for a nuclear engineer salary is the national minimum wage, but most nuclear engineers will be entitled to a higher rate under an award or agreement. The on-site reference does not provide a specific market rate. Always consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for enforcement and the Fair Work Commission for the latest wage decisions. Superannuation is an additional employer cost of 12%.

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