Patrick Cripps salary: How it compares to the national minimum wage and award rates

Patrick Cripps salary and the Australian pay floor

When you hear about Patrick Cripps' salary as captain of the Carlton Football Club, it is natural to wonder how it compares to the minimum wages that apply to most Australian workers. This guide explains the legal minimum wage, award rates, and how a high-profile negotiated salary like Cripps' sits in relation to those floors. We do not have a precise figure for Patrick Cripps' salary in our reference, so we focus on the legal minimum and how any salary can be understood against it.

The legal minimum wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate for award-free and agreement-free employees is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to national-system employees. Some state public sector and local government employees may be covered by state awards instead. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these rules.

It is important to note that not every worker must receive $26.44 an hour. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, introductory award rates, and supported wages can be lower. For example, award-free juniors aged 18 receive 68.3% of the adult rate, or $18.06 per hour. Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages.

Award rates and enterprise agreements

A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum. For example, the lowest ongoing classification in a modern award cannot sit under the national minimum of $26.44 per hour. An introductory rate limited to the first six months cannot sit under $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. These award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and are reviewed annually.

Patrick Cripps' salary would be governed by an enterprise agreement or individual contract with the Carlton Football Club. Such agreements often set rates well above the award minimum. The Australian Football League Players' Association negotiates collective agreements that cover player salaries, but the exact figure for Cripps is not part of our reference. If you are an employee covered by an award or agreement, your employer must pay at least the rate specified in that instrument.

Survey averages and negotiated salaries

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. All employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. These are survey averages, not legal minimums. A negotiated salary like Patrick Cripps' is likely to be much higher than these averages, but we cannot confirm a specific figure from our reference.

When comparing a salary to the minimum wage, remember that the minimum is a floor, not a target. Most employees earn more than the minimum, especially those in professional sports. The key is to know which pay floor applies to you: the national minimum, an award rate, or an enterprise agreement rate. Which minimum wage applies can help you determine your coverage.

Super guarantee on top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is an employer payment on top of the salary or wage. For example, if an employee earns $1,000 in ordinary wages, the employer pays an additional $120 into a super fund. This does not reduce the employee's take-home pay. For a high salary like Patrick Cripps', the super contribution would be substantial, but it is not part of the salary figure itself.

Tax considerations

Tax is withheld from salary and wages. For the 2026-27 tax year, resident rates with the full tax-free threshold apply. Medicare is estimated at 2% once annualised ordinary gross reaches $30,000. The real low-income reduction uses ATO shade-in thresholds. This model leaves out the low income tax offset, HELP, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. For a high earner like Cripps, tax would be at the top marginal rate, but we do not provide tax advice.

How the figures work

Our reference uses the published adult weekly national minimum of $1,004.90. Multiplying $26.44 by 38 lands 18 cents lower because of rounding in the order. Casual weekly figures on this site are the published casual hourly rate times 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates. For more details on how we calculate and present rates, see How the figures work.

Summary

Patrick Cripps' salary is not in our reference, but the legal minimum wage for an adult award-free employee is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026. Award rates and enterprise agreements can set higher rates. Super is paid on top. If you are unsure which pay floor applies to you, check your award or agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice. Remember, this site is for orientation only and is not a pay determination or legal advice.

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