What is the SES Award Grade 1 (band 1) salary?

The SES Award Grade 1 is a classification under the Supported Employment Services Award. From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for Grade 1 is $25.74 per hour, or $978.10 per week for a full-time employee. This is an introductory rate that can apply for the first 6 months of employment. After 6 months, the employee must be paid at least the Grade 2 rate of $26.44 per hour (the same as the national minimum wage) or a higher classification if their duties require it.

How does the SES band 1 salary compare with the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The SES Award Grade 1 rate of $25.74 is 70 cents per hour lower. However, Grade 1 is only permitted as an introductory rate for the first 6 months. After that, the employee must be paid at least the Grade 2 rate, which matches the national minimum. The legal pay floor for ongoing employees under the SES Award is therefore $26.44 per hour.

Can an employee with disability be paid less than the SES band 1 salary?

Yes. The SES Award includes a supported wage system for employees with disability whose productive capacity is assessed. The minimum supported wage is the higher of a percentage of the relevant classification rate (based on assessed capacity) or $3.31 per hour (from 1 July 2026). This can be lower than the Grade 1 rate. The supported wage is only available under the SES Award and requires an approved assessment. Employees with disability can also be paid the full classification rate if the employer chooses.

Understanding the SES Band 1 Salary: SES Award Grade 1 Pay and the Australian Minimum Wage

The SES Award Grade 1 (band 1) minimum hourly rate is $25.74, which is an introductory rate for the first 6 months; the ongoing minimum for most employees is $26.44 per hour under the national minimum wage.

Understanding the SES Band 1 Salary and the Australian Pay Floor

When people search for the ses band 1 salary, they are usually looking for the minimum pay rate under the Supported Employment Services Award (SES Award) for its lowest classification, Grade 1. This guide explains what that rate is, how it relates to the national minimum wage, and what other pay floors may apply.

What Is the SES Award?

The Supported Employment Services Award covers employees who work for employers that operate supported employment services. The award has several grades. Grade 1 is often called the ‘band 1’ classification. It is an introductory rate designed for new employees who are learning the job. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the current rates, and the Fair Work Commission sets the award through its annual wage review.

The SES Band 1 Salary: Grade 1 Rate

From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a full-time or part-time Grade 1 employee is $25.74 per hour. The weekly rate for a 38-hour week is $978.10. This rate is an introductory classification that can apply only for the first 6 months of employment. After 6 months, the employee must be reclassified to at least Grade 2, which pays $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Grade 2 matches the national minimum wage.

It is important to separate the legal minimum from a survey average or a negotiated salary. The Grade 1 rate is a minimum set by the award. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can pay more, but never less. The national minimum wage is a backstop: no award classification can fall below it for ongoing employees. Grade 1 is allowed only as a temporary introductory rate.

How the SES Band 1 Salary Compares with the National Minimum

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement. The SES Award Grade 1 is 70 cents lower. However, because Grade 1 is limited to the first 6 months, the ongoing floor for SES Award employees is effectively the same as the national minimum. Casual employees under the SES Award receive a 25% loading on top of their classification rate. For Grade 1 casuals, that means $32.18 per hour ($25.74 × 1.25).

Supported Wage for Employees with Disability

The SES Award also includes a supported wage system. Employees with disability may be paid a percentage of the relevant classification rate based on their assessed productive capacity. The minimum supported wage from 1 July 2026 is the higher of that percentage or $3.31 per hour. This is significantly lower than the Grade 1 rate. The supported wage is only available after an approved assessment using the tool specified in the award. Employers can always choose to pay the full classification rate instead.

Superannuation and Other Payments

All minimum rates discussed are before tax. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a Grade 1 employee earning $25.74 per hour, the super contribution adds about $3.09 per hour. The super is paid into a fund such as AustralianSuper, as specified in the award.

Award-Free Employees and Other Floors

If an employee is not covered by the SES Award or any other modern award, and no enterprise agreement applies, the national minimum wage is the legal floor. That is $26.44 per hour for adults. Junior employees (under 21) who are award-free have percentage-based minima, starting at $9.73 per hour for under 16. Apprentices and trainees have separate rates under the Miscellaneous Award.

What People Often Mix Up

A common confusion is treating the SES band 1 salary as the permanent minimum. It is not. The Grade 1 rate is a temporary introductory rate. Another mix-up is thinking the supported wage of $3.31 applies to all employees with disability. It only applies after an assessment and only under the SES Award. Finally, some assume the national minimum wage applies to everyone, but award-covered employees must be paid their award rate, which can be higher.

For more detail on which minimum applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also browse Rate tables for current award and national minimum figures.

Key Takeaways

The SES Award Grade 1 (band 1) rate is $25.74 per hour, but only for the first 6 months.
After 6 months, the employee must be paid at least Grade 2 ($26.44/h), which is the same as the national minimum wage.
Employees with disability may be paid a supported wage as low as $3.31 per hour under the supported wage system.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of the minimum rate.
Always check the award or agreement for your specific situation.

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