Ward Clerk Salary in Australia: Award Rates, Minimum Pay, and What to Expect

Understanding the ward clerk salary in Australia

If you are looking into the ward clerk salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that most ward clerks are covered by the Clerks – Private Sector Award (the Clerks Award). This award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, and conditions. The national minimum wage is a backstop for award-free employees, but the award usually provides a higher floor.

Legal minimum versus award rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum 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 minimum $33.05 per hour. However, if you are covered by the Clerks Award, the award rate is your legal minimum, not the national minimum.

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide for the Clerks Award shows the following minimum hourly rates for full‑time and part‑time adult employees from July 2026:

• Level 1, year 1: $26.97
• Level 1, year 2: $28.24
• Level 1, year 3: $29.11
• Level 2, year 1: $29.45
• Level 2, year 2: $30.00
• Level 3: $31.11
• Level 4: $32.67
• Level 5: $33.99

Ward clerks often fall between Level 1 and Level 3 depending on duties and experience. The award also includes a classification for call centre principal customer contact specialist at $31.33 per hour and call centre technical associate at $37.24 per hour, though these are less common for ward clerks.

Survey averages and what they mean

PayScale’s survey of 66 ward clerks (updated October 2025) reports a median hourly rate of $28.78, with a range from $25.24 to $31.64. This is a useful benchmark but is not a legal minimum. The median sits between the award’s Level 1 and Level 2 rates, which suggests many ward clerks are classified at those levels. Entry‑level workers earn around $25.88 per hour, while experienced workers can earn above $31.

It is important to separate survey averages from award rates and negotiated salaries. Your actual pay may be higher than the award if your employer has an enterprise agreement or if you negotiate a higher rate. The award is a floor, not a ceiling.

How superannuation fits in

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. So if your ward clerk salary is $28.78 per hour, your employer must also contribute an additional 12% (about $3.45 per hour) into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra cost for the employer.

Penalty rates and overtime

Under the Clerks Award, ward clerks who work outside ordinary hours are entitled to penalty rates. For non‑shiftworkers, Saturday work between 7 am and 12.30 pm attracts time‑and‑a‑quarter ($33.71 for Level 1, year 1), and Sunday work attracts double time ($53.94). Public holiday work is paid at double time and a half ($67.43). Overtime on weekdays is time‑and‑a‑half for the first two hours and double time thereafter. Shiftworkers have different penalty structures.

Casual ward clerks receive the 25% loading on top of the base rate, and penalty rates are calculated on the loaded rate. For example, a casual Level 1, year 1 ward clerk working Saturday would earn $40.46 per hour (base $26.97 plus 25% loading, then Saturday penalty).

What about junior ward clerks?

If you are under 21 and award‑free, the national minimum wage allows lower rates based on age. For example, a 16‑year‑old award‑free junior earns $12.51 per hour (47.3% of adult rate). However, the Clerks Award has its own junior rates. For under‑16 full‑time or part‑time ward clerks, the award rate is $12.13 per hour (Level 1, year 1). Always check the award’s junior rates, as they may differ from the national percentages.

How to find your correct pay floor

Start by determining whether the Clerks Award covers your role. If it does, your minimum pay is the award classification that matches your duties and experience. If no award applies, the national minimum wage is the floor. Enterprise agreements can set higher rates. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to check your specific situation. For more on how pay floors work, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and Rate tables.

The bottom line on ward clerk salary

The ward clerk salary in Australia is governed primarily by the Clerks Award, with minimum rates between $26.97 and $31.11 per hour as of July 2026. Survey data suggests a median around $28.78, but your actual pay should be at least the award rate for your classification. Remember that super is paid on top, and penalty rates apply for unsocial hours. If you are unsure about your classification or award coverage, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a workplace relations professional.

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