Beauty therapist salary: award rates vs national minimum wage in Australia

Beauty therapist salary: award rates versus the national minimum wage

When you search for a beauty therapist salary in Australia, the first thing to understand is that pay is governed by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020. This award sets minimum rates that are higher than the national minimum wage, but actual earnings can vary widely depending on experience, qualifications, and whether you work full-time or casually.

Where does the beauty therapist salary sit on the Salary Index?

The Salary Index compares gross annual earnings to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). For a beauty therapist, the award minimum for a Level 1 employee (entry-level) is $27.81 per hour, which annualises to about $54,927 for a full-time worker. That gives an index of 50.7. At the top of the award scale, a Level 6 therapist (Diploma qualified) earns $32.00 per hour, annualising to $63,232 – an index of 58.4. The median full-time beauty therapist earns $1,200 per week, or $62,400 per year, which is index 57.6. All these figures are below the national average, reflecting the industry's lower pay profile.

Award minimums vs the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). Every classification in the Hair and Beauty Award pays above that. For example, a Level 1 beauty therapist earns $27.81 per hour – $1.37 more than the national minimum. A Level 6 therapist earns $32.00 per hour, a $5.56 premium. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday (133% of base), Sunday (200%), and public holidays (250%), which can boost take-home pay significantly.

How the award classifications work

The award defines six levels based on skills and qualifications. Level 1 is for trainees or assistants with minimal experience. Level 4 requires a Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy. Level 6 requires a Diploma. Most qualified beauty therapists fall between Levels 4 and 6. The award also has specific rates for apprentices and graduates. For instance, a full-time graduate in beauty therapy earns 92.5% of the standard rate in their first 12 months, which is $27.24 per hour.

Median earnings and what they mean

According to Jobs and Skills Australia (using ABS data), the median full-time beauty therapist earns $1,200 per week before tax. That's about $62,400 annually. This is higher than the award minimum for Level 6, suggesting many experienced therapists earn above award. However, only 39% of beauty therapists work full-time; part-time and casual work is common. Casual employees get a 25% loading, so a casual Level 1 therapist would get $34.76 per hour. The all-occupations median is $1,697 per week, so beauty therapy pay is below average.

Tax and take-home pay example

If you earn $62,400 annual salary, tax for 2026-27: first $18,200 tax-free, then 15% on next $26,800, then 30% on next $44,800, total tax about $11, plus Medicare levy 2% of $1,248, total tax about $12,048, take-home about $50,352. That's $968 per week. Compare to national minimum wage take-home: $52,255 gross, tax about $8,700, take-home $43,555. So award pay gives a slightly higher net.

Superannuation and other conditions

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of gross wages from 1 July 2026. For a $62,400 salary, that's an extra $7,488 into your super fund. The award also includes allowances for things like uniform, laundry, and tools. These are small but add up.

How to use the Salary Index for beauty therapist roles

The Salary Index helps you see where a pay offer sits relative to the national line. If you're offered $60,000, that's index 55.4. If you're offered $70,000, that's index 64.6. You can compare across industries – for example, retail trade index 75.9, accommodation and food services index 72.5 – beauty therapy is lower. But within the industry, award rates provide a floor, and median earnings show the typical market.

Where to find current rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Hair and Beauty Industry Award, updated each July. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database also has detailed spreadsheets. Always check the latest award because rates change annually. For market data, Jobs and Skills Australia provides occupation profiles with median earnings.

Final thoughts on beauty therapist salary

The beauty therapist salary in Australia is built on a solid award foundation that ensures pay above the national minimum wage. While the index is below the national average, penalty rates, superannuation, and experience can improve total compensation. If you're negotiating a role, know your award classification and use the Salary Index to benchmark against the national line. For more on how pay compares across different jobs, see our pay guides and topics pages.