Carpenter salary Australia: awards versus the national minimum wage
What does a carpenter earn in Australia? We compare award rates, the national minimum wage, and the Salary Index to show where carpenter pay sits.
Public data does not give a precise median carpenter salary, but award rates and the national minimum wage provide a floor; typical pay likely sits above the national line of 100.
Carpenter salary Australia: awards versus the national minimum wage
When you search for 'carpenter salary Australia' you are likely looking for a reliable pay figure for carpenters in Australia. The most recent public data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows that median weekly earnings are not available for the 6-digit occupation. That means the official statisticians cannot produce a reliable average because of the way the data is collected. That does not mean carpenters earn very low or high amounts – it is a statistical limitation.
Where does the pay sit on the Salary Index?
The Salary Index uses a baseline of 100 for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which annualised from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings May 2026: $108,352 per year. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255, giving an index of 48.2. A carpenter on the national minimum wage would be below the line, but carpenters are almost always covered by a modern award that pays more.
Awards set the floor
The Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 covers most carpenters. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for this award, which include minimum hourly rates for classifications like Carpenter (Level 3 or Level 4). From 1 July 2026, award minimum rates rose by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. The award rates are higher than the national minimum wage. For example, a Carpenter Level 3 under the award might earn around $30 per hour, depending on the classification and allowances. That would give a weekly pay of roughly $1,200 for full-time hours (38 per week), annualised $62,400, index 57.6. That is still below the national line of 100, but many experienced carpenters earn above award rates.
State differences
Carpenter pay varies by state because of different market conditions and award variations. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9 (annualised $115,825) and the Australian Capital Territory 109.9 ($119,090), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). A carpenter in WA or ACT may earn more than one in Tasmania, even for the same classification. The award itself is national, but enterprise agreements and market rates push pay higher in strong economies.
How the index works for a carpenter
If you are a carpenter earning $85,000 a year, your index is 78.5 (85,000 / 108,352 × 100). That is below the national line. If you earn $110,000, your index is 101.5, just above the line. The index is a tool to compare any salary to the national average of full-time ordinary-time earnings. It is not a quote for a specific job offer.
Super and tax
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on wages up to $270,830. A carpenter earning $85,000 would receive $10,200 in super. Income tax for 2026-27 (resident, excluding Medicare) is nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, then 37% to $190,000. Medicare levy is 2%. So take-home pay for $85,000 is roughly $66,000 after tax and Medicare, ignoring HELP or other deductions.
Why no precise figure?
The ABS does not publish median weekly earnings for carpenters because the 6-digit ANZSCO level has a relative standard error of 25% or higher. That means the estimate is too unreliable. Jobs and Skills Australia also reports 'N/A'. So any number you see online that claims a specific average for carpenter salary Australia is likely made up or based on small surveys. The best we can say is that award rates and the national minimum wage provide a floor, and typical pay likely sits between the award rate and the national line.
Related topics
- How the index works
- [Industries](/industries]
- Topics
FAQs
What is the average carpenter salary in Australia? The official statistic does not publish a median. Award rates are a minimum. How do awards affect carpenter pay? Awards set the floor, many earn above award. What is the Salary Index? It compares any salary to the national line of 100 based on $108,352 annualised.
Questions people ask
What is the average carpenter salary in Australia?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for carpenters at the 6-digit ANZSCO level. Jobs and Skills Australia also reports 'N/A' for median weekly earnings. However, carpenters are covered by modern awards that set minimum rates above the national minimum wage. Typical pay for experienced carpenters is often above the national line of 100 on the Salary Index, but no official average is available.
How do award rates affect carpenter pay?
Most carpenters are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. This award sets minimum hourly rates for different classifications, plus allowances and penalty rates. From 1 July 2026, award minimum rates increased by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. The award minimum is higher than the national minimum wage, so a carpenter on award rates will earn more than the national minimum wage of $26.44/hr. Many carpenters negotiate above-award pay, especially in strong labour markets.
What is the Salary Index and how does it apply to carpenters?
The Salary Index compares a yearly gross salary to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The index is (salary / $108,352) × 100. For example, a carpenter earning $80,000 gives an index of 73.8. Since no precise carpenter median is known, the index for a typical carpenter is uncertain. The index helps you see where any pay figure sits against the national line of 100.