Project Manager Salary Australia: Award Coverage vs Award-Free Rates
The minimum pay for a project manager in Australia is either the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (if award-free) or a higher rate set by an applicable award or enterprise agreement.
Project Manager Salary Australia: Know Your Pay Floor
When researching a project manager salary Australia, the first step is to understand which pay floor applies to you. Unlike some roles that fall neatly under one award, project managers work across industries—construction, IT, professional services, government—and the minimum wage they are entitled to depends on whether they are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or are award-free.
The National Minimum Wage as a Backstop
For employees not covered by any award or registered agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission set this rate at $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week based on 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. This is the absolute minimum an award-free adult project manager can be paid. However, junior employees (under 21), apprentices, and trainees may be paid lower special national minimum wages. For example, an award-free 18-year-old project manager would be entitled to $18.06 per hour (68.3% of the adult rate).
Award Coverage for Project Managers
Many project managers are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that awards set minimum pay rates, penalties, and allowances for specific industries or occupations. For project managers, the relevant award might be the Professional Employees Award 2020 (if the role involves professional engineering, scientific, or IT duties), the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 (if the work is clerical or administrative), or the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (for construction project managers). Each award contains classification levels that determine the minimum hourly rate. For instance, the Professional Employees Award has levels from Graduate to Level 4, each with a higher minimum rate than the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database provides the calculated minimum rates for each classification, but it is essential to read the award itself to confirm the correct level.
If an enterprise agreement applies, the minimum rates in that agreement replace the award rates. Enterprise agreements often provide higher pay or better conditions than the underlying award.
How to Find Your Minimum Rate
The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool is the recommended way to calculate the correct minimum pay, including penalties and allowances, for your specific award and classification. You can also check the [Which minimum wage applies](/
For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.
Questions people ask next
Which award covers project managers?
There is no single award for all project managers. The applicable award depends on the industry and the nature of the work. Common awards include the Professional Employees Award 2020, the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020, and the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to identify the correct award for your role.
Is superannuation included in the quoted salary?
No. Superannuation guarantee contributions are paid on top of the salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. This means if your base salary is $26.44 per hour, your employer must also contribute an additional $3.17 per hour into your super fund.
Can a project manager be paid less than the national minimum wage?
Only in specific circumstances. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with a disability may be paid a special national minimum wage that is lower than the adult rate. Otherwise, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or $33.05 per hour for casuals) is the legal floor. If you are covered by an award or enterprise agreement, the minimum rate in that instrument applies and is often higher.
Related guides
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