HEW 8 salary: what it means and how to compare job offers
Understand the HEW 8 salary classification, how it compares to the national average earnings line, and what to look for in a job ad.
A HEW 8 salary is set by university enterprise agreements, not a single national figure; it typically sits above the national line (index 100 = $108,352) and aligns with the Education and training industry index of 105.5.
What is a HEW 8 salary?
HEW stands for Higher Education Worker, a classification system used in Australian universities for professional and academic staff. HEW 8 is a senior level, often for experienced professionals, senior administrators, or early-career academics with a PhD. Unlike award-covered roles, HEW salaries are set by each university’s enterprise agreement, which is a registered agreement approved by the Fair Work Commission. That means there is no single national HEW 8 salary figure – it varies by institution, location, and sometimes by the specific role’s responsibilities.
When you see a HEW 8 salary in a job ad, you’re looking at a figure negotiated between the university and its staff union. The ad might quote a range, such as $110,000 to $125,000, or a single rate. To make sense of that number, you need a benchmark. That’s where the Salary Index comes in.
How the Salary Index helps you compare
The Salary Index sets 100 as the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported as $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. That annualises to $108,352. Any salary above that gives an index above 100; below gives an index below 100. For example, a HEW 8 salary of $115,000 gives an index of 106.1 – meaning it’s 6.1% above the national line.
But HEW 8 roles are in the Education and training industry, which has an industry index of 105.5. So a typical HEW 8 offer should be at or above that level. If a job ad offers $108,352, that’s exactly index 100, but that would be low for a HEW 8. Most HEW 8 salaries are higher, often in the 105–115 range.
Reading a job ad and comparing offers
When you’re reading a job ad for a HEW 8 role, the first step is to note whether the salary is base or total remuneration. Total remuneration includes the employer’s super contribution (12% from 1 July 2026). If the ad says “$130,000 total package”, the base salary is about $116,071 (since $130,000 / 1.12). Compare the base to the national line. A base of $116,071 gives an index of 107.1.
Next, consider your state. The same base salary goes further in a lower-cost state. For instance, Tasmania has an index of 88.6, meaning average earnings are 11.4% below the national line. A HEW 8 salary of $115,000 in Tasmania would be well above the local average. In contrast, the ACT index is 109.9, so $115,000 is only slightly above the ACT average. Use the states page to see how your location compares.
Also think about the industry. HEW 8 roles are mainly in universities, but some are in research institutes or government. The industries page shows that Education and training sits at 105.5, while Professional, scientific and technical services is 114.7. If your HEW 8 role is in a research institute, it might align more with that higher index.
Tax and super considerations
Your take-home pay depends on tax. For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Add the 2% Medicare levy. For a base salary of $120,000, the tax (including Medicare) is roughly $30,000, leaving $90,000 take-home. Super is additional and not accessible until retirement.
Some job ads quote a salary that includes super. Always clarify. The how the index works page explains how to convert total remuneration to base for comparison.
Where to find HEW 8 salary information
Because HEW 8 is not covered by a modern award, you won’t find it in the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Calculator or the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database. Instead, look up the enterprise agreement for the specific university. These are public documents on the Fair Work Commission’s website. The search results for this post did not return a specific HEW 8 figure, so you’ll need to check the agreement for the university you’re applying to.
You can also use the pay guides section of Salary Index for general guidance on how to interpret salary ranges in job ads. Remember that the national line is a benchmark, not a target. A HEW 8 salary above index 100 is typical, but the right offer depends on your experience, the role’s seniority, and the university’s location.
Summary
HEW 8 salary is not a single number, but you can compare any offer to the national line using the Salary Index. Look for base salary, factor in super and tax, and consider state and industry indices. The Education and training industry index of 105.5 gives a rough guide: a HEW 8 salary should be at or above that. Use the topics page to explore more about Australian salary benchmarks.
Questions people ask
What is a typical HEW 8 salary range in Australia?
HEW 8 salaries are set by each university’s enterprise agreement, so there is no single figure. Based on common agreements, the range often falls between $110,000 and $130,000 per year, but this can vary by institution and location. To compare against the national line, divide the annual salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100 to get the index. For example, $120,000 gives an index of about 111, meaning it is 11% above the national average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings.
How does a HEW 8 salary compare to the national average earnings?
The national average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $108,352 per year (index 100). A HEW 8 salary is usually above this, often in the 105–120 index range. The Education and training industry, which includes universities, has an index of 105.5, suggesting HEW 8 roles tend to align with or exceed that benchmark. However, because HEW 8 is a professional classification, actual pay can be higher, especially in states with higher cost-of-living adjustments, like ACT (index 109.9) or WA (106.9).
What should I consider when evaluating a HEW 8 job offer?
Look at the base salary (excluding super) and compare it to the national line using the Salary Index. Check if the offer is total remuneration or base. Super is 12% from July 2026. Consider your state: the same base salary goes further in a lower-index state like Tasmania (88.6) than in ACT (109.9). Also factor in tax: for a $120,000 salary, the 2026–27 tax (including Medicare) is roughly $30,000, leaving about $90,000 take-home. Always verify the specific enterprise agreement for your university, as it may include additional allowances or conditions.