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

If a petroleum engineer is award-free and agreement-free, the legal floor is the national minimum wage: $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week as of 1 July 2026. However, many petroleum engineers are covered by a modern award (such as the Professional Employees Award) or an enterprise agreement, which can set a higher rate. The Fair Work Ombudsman can help determine which award applies.

Does the petroleum engineer salary include superannuation?

No. Superannuation is an employer payment on top of ordinary time earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026. When discussing a petroleum engineer salary, the quoted figure is usually base pay before super. The legal minimum hourly rate of $26.44 does not include super; the employer must pay an additional 12% into the employee's super fund.

How does the petroleum engineer salary compare to the national average?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, but this is an average across all occupations, not specific to petroleum engineers. A petroleum engineer's negotiated salary may be above or below that average depending on experience, location, and employer. This site does not have a precise market rate for petroleum engineers; the legal minimum is the only figure provided here.

Petroleum engineer salary: which Australian pay floor applies and what people mix up

The legal minimum for a petroleum engineer 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 this reference.

Introduction

When people search for a petroleum engineer salary, they often want a single number to compare against their own pay or a job offer. However, Australian pay law works differently. There is no one official "petroleum engineer salary" set by the government. Instead, there are legal minimums, award rates, and market averages. This guide explains which pay floor applies to a petroleum engineer and what people commonly mix up.

The legal minimum for a petroleum engineer

The lowest lawful pay for any adult national-system employee who is not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement is the national minimum wage. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, that rate is:

$26.44 per hour (ordinary time)
$1,004.90 per week (based on 38 ordinary hours)
$33.05 per hour for casual employees (includes the 25% casual loading)

These figures are set by the Fair Work Commission. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces them. If a petroleum engineer is award-free and agreement-free, this is the absolute floor. The employer must also pay superannuation on top: the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026.

Note that not every worker receives the adult rate. Junior employees (under 21) have percentage-based minimums, and apprentices or trainees may be paid under award-specified rates. The adult national minimum applies only to employees 21 and over (or 20 if not on a junior rate).

Award coverage and higher rates

Most petroleum engineers work in industries covered by a modern award. For example, the Professional Employees Award or the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award may apply, depending on the employer and duties. A modern award can set minimum pay rates higher than the national minimum. Enterprise agreements can also override awards with different terms, but they must leave employees better off overall.

If you are a petroleum engineer, check your employment contract or ask your employer which award or agreement covers you. The Fair Work Ombudsman's website has tools to find the right award. Using Which minimum wage applies can help you understand your coverage.

Market rates and survey averages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all occupations were $2,083.70 per week. That figure includes all industries and roles, not just petroleum engineering. Some petroleum engineers earn well above that average, especially in remote or offshore roles, while entry-level positions may be closer to award rates.

This site does not have a specific survey figure for a petroleum engineer salary. The reference used for this guide contains only legal minimums and broad ABS averages. If you need a market benchmark, consider industry salary surveys from professional bodies such as Engineers Australia or recruitment agencies. Those are not legal floors but can inform negotiations.

Common mix-ups

A frequent mistake is confusing the legal minimum with a typical or "going rate" salary. The national minimum wage is a safety net, not a target. A petroleum engineer with a degree and experience should expect pay well above $26.44 per hour, but the law does not guarantee that. Another mix-up is thinking super is part of the hourly rate. Super is paid on top, so a $26.44 per hour rate costs the employer about $29.61 including super.

Some people also assume that all workers must receive the adult rate. Juniors, apprentices, and trainees can be paid less under specific rules. Always check the applicable award or agreement.

Conclusion

To find out what you should be paid as a petroleum engineer, start with the legal floor: the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. Then check if a modern award or enterprise agreement applies, as it will likely set a higher minimum. For market comparisons, look to industry surveys. Remember that super is an extra cost to the employer, not part of the quoted hourly rate.

For more details, see our Rate tables and Guides on award coverage. If you are unsure about your situation, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a workplace relations professional.