What is the minimum hourly rate for a flight attendant in Australia?

Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award, the minimum hourly rate for a cabin crew member is $28.88 as of 1 July 2026. This is higher than the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour. The award also includes a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour.

Do flight attendants get paid casual loading?

Yes. Casual cabin crew members receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate (i.e., $36.10 per hour for a cabin crew member) instead of paid leave entitlements. They are also entitled to a minimum payment of 4 hours per engagement.

How is superannuation calculated for flight attendants?

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% of ordinary earnings on top of the employee's base pay and allowances, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. This is in addition to the minimum wage or award rate.

Flight Attendant Salary Australia: Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

A full-time cabin crew member under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award earns a minimum of $28.88 per hour (38 hours/week), plus a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour, resulting in annual base pay of about $57,067 before allowances.

Introduction

If you're researching a flight attendant salary Australia, you're likely comparing the National Minimum Wage with industry-specific award rates. The Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, set by the Fair Work Ombudsman, provides minimum pay rates and conditions for cabin crew. This article explains how to calculate annual pay from an hourly rate, the difference between award and minimum wage, and what to expect for casual loading, superannuation, and tax.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. However, the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award prescribes higher minimums:

Cabin crew member: $28.88 per hour
Cabin crew supervisor (narrow-bodied aircraft, 4+ crew): $33.69 per hour
Cabin crew manager (wide-bodied aircraft): $39.36 per hour

These rates are the base hourly pay for ordinary hours. In addition, employees receive a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour (the time actually spent operating as cabin crew on a flight). A portion of this allowance ($6.88 per hour) is treated as a daily travelling allowance for tax purposes. The award also includes penalty rates for overtime and work outside ordinary hours.

How to Calculate Annual Pay

To estimate annual gross pay from an hourly rate, use the formula:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a full-time cabin crew member on the award minimum:

$28.88 × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $57,066.88 per year (base pay only).

But actual earnings are higher because the flying allowance is paid for block hours. If you average 90 block hours per roster period (as the award example suggests), the flying allowance adds about $1,656 per month, or $19,872 per year. That brings total annual pay to roughly $76,939 before overtime or penalty rates.

Note: This calculation assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no salary sacrifice. Use our the timesheet to try different hourly rates and see the annual result.

Fortnightly Pay

Award wages are typically paid fortnightly or monthly. For a full-time cabin crew member on base rate:

Weekly: $28.88 × 38 = $1,097.44
Fortnightly: $1,097.44 × 2 = $2,194.88

Add the flying allowance (e.g., $18.40 × 90 block hours per month ≈ $1,656 per month, or about $828 per fortnight). Your actual fortnightly pay will vary based on scheduled block hours.

Casual Loading

Casual cabin crew members receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate instead of paid leave. For a cabin crew member:

Casual hourly rate: $28.88 × 1.25 = $36.10
Minimum engagement: 4 hours pay per shift

Casuals are also entitled to the flying allowance. The casual loading is not applied to the allowance. When using our casual loading tool, enter the base hourly rate (e.g., $28.88) and check the casual box to add 25% on top.

Super and Tax

Superannuation: Employers must pay super guarantee of 12% of ordinary earnings (including allowances) on top of your pay, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a cabin crew member earning $76,939 total, super would be about $9,233 per year, paid in addition to salary.

Tax: Use the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

$0–$18,200: nil
$18,201–$45,000: 15% over $18,200
$45,001–$135,000: 30% over $45,000
$135,001–$190,000: 37% over $135,000
Over $190,000: 45%

Plus Medicare levy of 2% (reduced for low incomes). For a $76,939 gross income, tax would be approximately $15,567 plus Medicare $1,539, leaving about $59,833 after tax (before any deductions). See our take-home pay guide for more details.

Conclusion

A flight attendant salary Australia under the award is significantly above the National Minimum Wage. The base hourly rate of $28.88 plus flying allowance means full-time cabin crew can expect annual earnings around $77,000 before overtime. Casual employees get an extra 25% loading. Always check the latest award rates on the Fair Work Ombudsman website and use our pay guides and reference tables to compare pay conditions.

Remember: This is an estimate. Your actual pay may include penalty rates, allowances, and salary packaging. Super is paid on top, and tax is withheld by your employer. For personalised calculations, use our hourly conversion tool.