What is the typical air hostess salary in Australia? Award rates and median earnings explained

What is an air hostess salary in Australia?

The term "air hostess salary" is a casual term for the pay of flight attendants or cabin crew. In Australia, the correct term is air hostess salary is covered by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 and the broader Travel Attendants occupation group. This guide explains where the pay sits against the national line, using the Salary Index (index 100 = $108,352 per year).

Award minimum rates for cabin crew

Minimum rates under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020

The Fair Work Ombudsman sets minimum rates for full-time employees: cabin crew member $1,097.40 per week ($28.88 per hour). For a cabin crew supervisor on narrow-bodied aircraft with four or more crew, the minimum is $1,280.40 per week ($33.69 per hour). A cabin crew manager on wide-bodied aircraft earns at least $1,495.50 per week ($39.36 per hour). These rates apply from 1 July 2026 after the 4.75% increase from the Annual Wage Review.

Flying allowance and other payments

In addition to the base rate, employees receive a flying allowance of $18.40 per hour for scheduled block hours. This includes a daily travelling allowance (DTA) component of $6.88 per hour (based on ATO travel allowance rates). The DTA is a reimbursement for meals and incidentals and is not subject to tax. The remaining $11.52 per hour is taxable ordinary time earnings. This allowance can significantly boost take-home pay, especially for those who fly many hours.

Median earnings for travel attendants

Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time weekly earnings for Travel Attendants (including flight attendants) at $1,350, with median hourly earnings of $36. Average full-time hours are 41 per week. This median is for non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It is higher than the award minimum but still below the national all-occupations median of $1,697 per week. On the Salary Index, the median air hostess salary sits around index 65, while the award minimum for a cabin crew member is about index 53 (before flying allowance).

State and industry differences

The award is national, but actual earnings vary by state. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, 42.3% of travel attendants work in New South Wales, 21.4% in Victoria, and only 1.8% in the ACT. The Salary Index for states shows NSW at 101.2, Victoria at 98, and ACT at 109.9, meaning average full-time earnings are higher in the ACT. However, for air hostesses specifically, the median national figure is a better benchmark. The industry is Transport, Postal and Warehousing, which is not separately indexed but likely falls between retail (75.9) and professional services (114.7).

How the Salary Index works

The index compares yearly gross ordinary-time earnings to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). For example, the national minimum wage is $52,255 (index 48.2). The median air hostess salary of $70,200 (index 64.8) is above the minimum but below the national average. The award minimum for a cabin crew member is $57,064 (index 52.7), but with flying allowance, actual earnings can be higher.

Super and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. For a median earner, that adds about $8,424 per year to super. Resident tax rates for 2026-27: nil to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, plus 2% Medicare levy. A median earner of $70,200 would pay about $11,167 in tax plus Medicare, leaving around $59,033 take-home. The flying allowance DTA component is tax-free, which can reduce taxable income.

Summary

The air hostess salary in Australia ranges from the award minimum of about $57,000 per year (index 53) to a median of $70,200 (index 65). Actual earnings depend on classification, flying hours, and employer. State differences are less pronounced than industry differences, but the role is concentrated in NSW and Victoria. For more on how pay compares across industries, see industries and states. To understand the index methodology, visit how the index works. For other pay guides, check pay guides.

FAQs

What is the minimum air hostess salary under the award?

Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time cabin crew member is $1,097.40 per week ($28.88 per hour). This is the base rate before flying allowances. For a cabin crew supervisor on narrow-bodied aircraft with four or more crew, the minimum is $1,280.40 per week ($33.69 per hour). A cabin crew manager on wide-bodied aircraft earns at least $1,495.50 per week ($39.36 per hour). These rates apply from 1 July 2026.

How does the air hostess salary vary by state?

The award is national, so minimum rates are the same across Australia. However, actual earnings can vary by state due to different employer profiles and cost of living. Jobs and Skills Australia data shows that 42.3% of travel attendants work in New South Wales, 21.4% in Victoria, and only 1.8% in the ACT. The Salary Index for states shows NSW at 101.2, Victoria at 98, and ACT at 109.9, meaning average full-time earnings are higher in the ACT. But for air hostesses specifically, the median national figure of $1,350 per week (index 65) is a better benchmark.

What is the flying allowance and how does it affect take-home pay?

In addition to the minimum weekly rate, cabin crew receive a flying allowance of $18.40 per hour for scheduled block hours. This includes a daily travelling allowance (DTA) component of $6.88 per hour (based on ATO rates). The DTA is a reimbursement for meals and incidentals and is not taxable. The remaining $11.52 per hour is taxable ordinary time earnings. For example, a cabin crew member working 80 block hours in a fortnight would earn $1,472 in flying allowance on top of the base base weekly rate. This can significantly boost take-home pay, pushing the effective hourly rate well above the award minimum.