What is the minimum wage for a receptionist in Australia?

It depends on whether you are covered by an award. Most receptionists are covered by the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020. Under that award, the minimum hourly rate from 1 July 2026 is $26.97 for a Level 1 employee in their first year (full-time or part-time). If you are award-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. Junior, apprentice, and supported wage rates may be lower.

Do receptionists get penalty rates or overtime?

Yes, if covered by the Clerks Award. Penalty rates apply for Saturday, Sunday, public holidays, and shift work. For example, a Level 1 receptionist working Saturday between 7am and 12.30pm (not a shiftworker) gets $33.71 per hour. Overtime is paid at time-and-a-half for the first 2 hours and double time thereafter. Always check the specific award or enterprise agreement that applies to your workplace.

How does the median receptionist salary compare to the national average?

According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for receptionists are $1,229, or $32 per hour. This is below the all-occupations median of $1,852 per week. However, only 43% of receptionists work full-time, so many earn less. The national minimum wage for a full-time adult is $1,004.90 per week, so the median receptionist earns about 22% above the legal floor.

Receptionist Salary in Australia: Which Pay Floor Applies and What the Figures Mean

The legal minimum for a receptionist covered by the Clerks Award is at least $26.97 per hour (Level 1, year 1), while the national minimum for award-free workers is $26.44 per hour; median full-time earnings are $32 per hour.

Understanding the Receptionist Salary in Australia

When people search for a receptionist salary in Australia, they often encounter a mix of figures — from award rates to survey medians. This guide separates the legal minimum from typical earnings, so you know which pay floor applies and how your pay compares.

The Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week). This is the absolute floor for award-free employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement.

However, most receptionists are covered by the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020 (MA000002). Under that award, the minimum hourly rate for a full-time or part-time adult receptionist at Level 1, year 1 is $26.97 per hour — slightly above the national minimum. More experienced receptionists at Level 3 earn $31.11 per hour, and those at Level 4 (senior clerical) earn $32.67 per hour. These rates already include the 4.75% increase from the 2026 Annual Wage Review.

If your employer is covered by a different award (e.g., the Hospitality Industry General Award for hotel receptionists) or an enterprise agreement, the minimum rate may be higher. Always check the specific instrument that applies to your workplace.

Superannuation: An Employer Payment on Top

All minimum rates quoted here are before tax. Employers must also pay the super guarantee at 12% of ordinary time earnings on top. For a Level 1 receptionist on $26.97 per hour, that adds about $3.24 per hour in super, paid into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay — it is an extra cost for the employer.

Survey Averages: What Receptionists Actually Earn

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides median earnings data for the occupation “Receptionists (ANZSCO 5421). The most recent survey (May 2025) shows:

Median full-time weekly earnings: $1,229 per week (before tax, before super).
Median hourly earnings: $32.00 for full-time non-managerial adults.
Only 43% of receptionists work full-time; the rest work part-time or casual.

These figures are higher than the award minimum because they include experienced workers and those on higher classifications. They are not a legal minimum but a snapshot of what people in the middle earn.

How the Clerks Award Classifies Receptionists

Under the Clerks Award, receptionists typically fall into Level 1 to Level 3, depending on the complexity of duties. For example:

Level 1: Routine clerical duties such as answering telephones, greeting visitors, and basic data entry.
Level 2: More complex tasks like operating a switchboard or using multiple software.
Level 3: Advanced clerical work requiring judgment and initiative.

Each level has multiple year steps. The award also includes casual loading (25% on top of the hourly rate) and penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work. For instance, a casual Level 1 receptionist on Saturday gets $40.46 per hour.

Award-Free Receptionists: What If No Award Applies?

If you are not covered by any modern award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. For award-free juniors, the rates are a percentage of the adult national minimum:

Under 16: $9.73 per hour (36.8%)
16 years: $12.51 per hour (47.3%)
17 years: $15.29 per hour (57.8%)
18 years: $18.06 per hour (68.3%)
19 years: $21.82 per hour (82.5%)
20 years: $25.84 per hour (97.7%)
21 and over: $26.44 per hour (100%)

Casual workers get a 25% loading on top of these rates.

Common Misunderstandings About Receptionist Pay

One frequent mix-up is assuming the national minimum is always the minimum for everyone. In reality, an award can set a higher rate. Another is thinking the median salary is what you should expect as a starting wage — it is not. A new receptionist should check the award classification first.

Another confusion: the “receptionist salary” figure you see on job ads often includes casual loading or penalty rates. Always ask for the base rate before penalties to compare with the award.

Where to Get More Help

For a step-by-step guide to finding your correct minimum, see Which minimum wage applies on this site. For detailed award rates, visit our Rate tables page.

Summary

The legal floor for a receptionist salary in Australia is either the national minimum wage ($26.44/h) or the Clerks Award rate (from $26.97/h), whichever is higher. Median earnings are around $32/h, but actual pay depends on experience, classification, and hours. Always confirm your award coverage and check penalty rates. Super is an extra 12% paid by your employer.

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