Traffic control salary: award coverage and minimum rates in Australia 2026
The legal minimum for traffic controllers depends on award coverage: award-free employees receive the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, while those covered by the Building and Construction Award receive at least $26.67 per hour (Level 1a) plus allowances.
Understanding the traffic control salary landscape
When researching a "traffic control salary" in Australia, the first thing to know is that there is no single legal rate. The minimum pay a traffic controller must receive depends on whether they are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or are award-free. This guide explains the different pay floors and how to compare a rate against them.
Award coverage for traffic controllers
The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that traffic controllers are covered by an industry award if their employer operates in that industry and there is a classification matching their duties. The most common award is the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 . This award applies when the employer is in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry and the traffic management work is done on site as part of construction work.
Other awards that may cover traffic controllers include the Security Award, Car Parking Award, Port Authorities Award, and the Miscellaneous Award . If no industry award applies, the Miscellaneous Award covers traffic controllers based on their duties and qualifications.
Minimum rates under the Building and Construction Award
The Building and Construction Award sets minimum weekly and hourly rates for each classification level. From 1 July 2026, the rates are:
| Level | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) – level a | $1,013.50 | $26.67 |
| Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) – level b | $1,033.50 | $27.20 |
| Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) – level c | $1,047.30 | $27.56 |
| Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) – level d | $1,066.00 | $28.05 |
| Level 2 (CW/ECW 2) | $1,087.50 | $28.62 |
| Level 3 (CW/ECW 3) – standard rate | $1,119.10 | $29.45 |
| Level 4 (CW/ECW 4) | $1,154.40 | $30.38 |
| Level 5 (CW/ECW 5) | $1,189.60 | $31.31 |
| Level 6 (CW/ECW 6) | $1,221.30 | $32.14 |
| Level 7 (CW/ECW 7) | $1,256.30 | $33.06 |
| Level 8 (CW/ECW 8) | $1,286.70 | $33.86 |
| Level 9 (CW/ECW 9) | $1,309.50 | $34.46 |
The actual classification for a traffic controller depends on their duties, qualifications, and the level of responsibility. The award also includes an industry allowance and other all-purpose allowances that form part of the ordinary hourly rate. The "standard rate" is the Level 3 rate, used for calculating apprentice wages and other purposes.
Award-free minimum: the national minimum wage
For traffic controllers not covered by any award or agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour.
Award-free junior employees are paid a percentage of the adult rate based on age (see Rate tables for full details). Apprentices and trainees who are award-free follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages.
Comparing a traffic control salary to the floor
If you are offered a traffic control salary, compare it to the applicable minimum. For award-covered employees, the minimum is the relevant classification rate plus any allowances. For award-free employees, the minimum is the national minimum wage. Remember that superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) is paid on top of these rates.
There is no publicly available survey average for traffic controllers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics or the Australian Taxation Office. The ABS reports that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings in May 2026 were $2,083.70 per week, but this is an economy‑wide figure and not specific to traffic control.
Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements
A modern award or enterprise agreement can set a higher rate than the national minimum. If a traffic controller is covered by an enterprise agreement, the agreement rate applies as long as it is not less than the relevant award rate. Some employers may offer above‑award rates to attract and retain staff.
How superannuation fits in
Superannuation is an employer contribution on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. For example, on the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, the employer must contribute an additional $3.17 per hour to the employee's super fund. This is not deducted from the employee's take‑home pay.
Which minimum wage applies?
To determine which pay floor applies to a traffic controller, first identify whether a modern award covers the employer and the work. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Which minimum wage applies tool can help. If no award applies, the national minimum wage is the floor.
For more detailed rate tables, see our Rate tables page. For an explanation of how these figures are calculated, visit How the figures work.
Questions people ask next
What is the minimum hourly rate for a traffic controller under the Building and Construction Award?
From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) employee is $26.67 per hour (level a), increasing to $27.20 (level b), $27.56 (level c), and $28.05 (level d). The actual classification depends on duties and qualifications. The award also includes an industry allowance and other allowances that form part of the ordinary hourly rate.
Are traffic controllers always covered by the Building and Construction Award?
No. Coverage depends on the employer's industry and the nature of the work. If the employer is in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry and the traffic management is part of construction work, the Building and Construction Award applies. Otherwise, other awards such as the Security Award, Car Parking Award, or the Miscellaneous Award may apply. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance on award coverage.
How does superannuation affect the traffic control salary?
Superannuation is paid on top of the ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For example, on the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, the employer must contribute an additional $3.17 per hour (12% of $26.44) to the employee's super fund.
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