Does the national minimum wage apply to Sam Kerr's salary?

No. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) applies only to employees not covered by a modern award or registered agreement. Professional footballers like Sam Kerr are typically employed under an enterprise agreement or an individual contract that sets a higher rate. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, but it does not override negotiated terms.

What is the minimum wage for a professional footballer in Australia?

There is no single minimum wage for professional footballers. Most are covered by a specific award or enterprise agreement. For example, the Professional Footballers Australia Collective Bargaining Agreement sets minimum salaries for A-League players. These rates are higher than the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that award or agreement rates apply instead of the national minimum.

Sam Kerr salary: Which Australian pay floor applies and what people mix up

Q: How does Sam Kerr's salary compare to average Australian earnings?

While Sam Kerr's exact salary is not public, top female footballers earn well above the national minimum. For context, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees averaged $1,579.20 per week. A professional athlete's salary is typically negotiated and often exceeds these averages, but it is not set by a minimum wage.

Sam Kerr's exact salary is not publicly disclosed, but as a professional footballer she is covered by an enterprise agreement or individual contract, not the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Sam Kerr salary: Understanding Australia's pay floors

When people search for "sam kerr salary", they often want to know how much Australia's star footballer earns and how that compares to the legal minimum. This guide explains the different pay floors in Australia and why a professional athlete's salary is a different matter entirely.

The national minimum wage: a floor for award-free workers

The national minimum wage is the legal minimum for employees not covered by a modern award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, the rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week, as set by the Fair Work Commission. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour. This rate is reviewed annually.

However, this minimum does not apply to Sam Kerr. Professional footballers are employed under enterprise agreements or individual contracts that specify much higher pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman states that award or agreement rates take precedence over the national minimum wage.

Award rates and enterprise agreements

Most industries have modern awards that set minimum pay rates higher than the national minimum. For professional sport, there is no single award; instead, players are covered by enterprise agreements negotiated between clubs and player unions. For example, the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) negotiates collective bargaining agreements for A-League and Matildas players. These agreements set minimum salaries, allowances, and conditions that far exceed the national minimum wage.

Sam Kerr's salary is likely determined by such an agreement, plus individual endorsements. The exact figure is not publicly disclosed, but it is certainly well above any award or minimum wage.

What about superannuation?

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12%. This applies to all employees, including professional athletes. So if Sam Kerr's salary is $X, her employer also pays 12% of that into a super fund. This is separate from the salary itself.

Separating the legal minimum from averages and negotiated salaries

It is easy to confuse the national minimum wage with average earnings or negotiated salaries. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees averaged $1,579.20 per week. These are averages, not minimums. Sam Kerr's salary is a negotiated amount, likely much higher than these averages, but it is not a benchmark for most workers.

When can pay be lower than $26.44 per hour?

Not every worker must receive $26.44 per hour. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with a disability may be paid less under special national minimum wages or award provisions. For example, an award-free junior aged 16 receives 47.3% of the adult rate, or $12.51 per hour. Introductory rates in some awards can be as low as $25.74 per hour for the first six months. These exceptions do not apply to Sam Kerr, who is an adult professional.

Which pay floor applies to you?

If you are an employee in Australia, your minimum pay depends on whether you are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to check. For most private-sector employees, the national system applies. Some state public sector and local government employees are in state systems. Which minimum wage applies can help you identify your correct pay floor. For detailed rates, see Rate tables.

Conclusion

Sam Kerr's salary is a high-profile example of a negotiated professional contract, not a reflection of Australia's minimum wage system. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour is a floor for award-free workers, but professional athletes are covered by enterprise agreements that set much higher rates. Understanding the difference between legal minimums, award rates, and negotiated salaries helps avoid confusion when searching for "sam kerr salary".

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