What is the minimum wage for a personal assistant?

The minimum wage depends on coverage. If a modern award applies (such as the Clerks Award or Professional Employees Award), the award’s classification rate is the legal minimum. If no award or registered agreement covers the role, the national minimum wage applies: $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026. Junior, apprentice, and supported wage rates can be lower. Always check the relevant award or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

Do personal assistants get super?

Yes. Employers must pay the super guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. This applies to most employees aged 18 and over (or under 18 if working more than 30 hours per week). Super is in addition to the base salary or wage.

How does the median personal assistant salary compare to the national minimum?

According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time personal assistant earns $1,832 per week ($48 per hour). That is well above the national minimum of $1,004.90 per week ($26.44 per hour). However, the median is a survey average, not a legal minimum. Many personal assistants earn less or more depending on experience, industry, and location.

Personal Assistant Salary: Pay Floors, Averages, and What You Need to Know

The national minimum wage for award-free personal assistants is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026, but most are covered by awards or agreements that pay higher; the median full-time personal assistant earns $1,832 per week ($48 per hour) according to ABS data.

Personal Assistant Salary: Understanding the Pay Floor

When you search for “personal assistant salary” in Australia, you’ll find a range of figures. That’s because the term can refer to several different things: the legal minimum wage, a modern award rate, a survey average, or a negotiated salary. This guide separates each one so you know which pay floor applies and what the typical market looks like.

The Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage and Awards

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees who are award‑free receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour.

However, most personal assistants are covered by a modern award. The most common awards include the Clerks Award (for administrative roles) and the Professional Employees Award (for higher‑level support roles). Award rates are often higher than the national minimum, and they include specific classifications, penalty rates, and allowances. If an award applies, that award’s minimum rate is the legal floor – not the national minimum.

Some personal assistants are covered by an enterprise agreement, which can set higher rates than the award. Always check the applicable award or agreement first. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a Pay and Conditions Tool to help you find the right rate.

Survey Averages: What the ABS Data Shows

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects earnings data through the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. Jobs and Skills Australia publishes occupation profiles using that data. For Personal Assistants (ANZSCO 5211), the median full‑time weekly earnings are $1,832, and median hourly earnings are $48. These figures are before tax and do not include super.

This median is a useful benchmark, but it is not a minimum. It reflects the middle point of all full‑time personal assistants paid at adult rates. About half earn more and half earn less. The data also shows that 72% of personal assistants work full‑time, the median age is 43, and 97% are female.

Award Rates and Negotiated Salaries

Award rates are minimums. Many personal assistants negotiate salaries above the award, especially in industries like professional, scientific and technical services, or public administration. Negotiated salaries often reflect experience, the complexity of tasks, and the seniority of the manager supported.

Employers must also pay the super guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12%. This is a separate payment and is not part of the quoted salary.

Common Confusions

A frequent mistake is treating the national minimum wage as the default for all personal assistants. In reality, most are covered by an award that sets a higher rate. Another confusion is mixing the median survey figure with a legal requirement. The median tells you what others earn, not what you must be paid.

Also, casual loading varies. Award‑free casuals get 25% loading, but award casual loadings can be different (often 25% as well, but sometimes less for certain penalties). Part‑time personal assistants are entitled to the same hourly rate as full‑time employees doing the same work, on a pro‑rata basis.

How to Find the Right Rate

Start by identifying whether a modern award covers the role. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s online tool can help. If no award applies, the national minimum wage is the floor. For award‑free juniors, the rates are lower (e.g., $9.73 per hour for under 16). Apprentices and trainees have separate rates.

For a deeper look at how these figures are calculated, see How the figures work. And if you’re unsure which pay system applies to your situation, visit Which minimum wage applies for guidance.

Remember: the figures in this guide are for orientation only. They are not a pay determination or legal advice. Always consult the relevant award, agreement, or the Fair Work Ombudsman for your specific circumstances.

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