What a logistics manager salary looks like against awards and the national minimum wage
Logistics manager salary in Australia: how awards, the national minimum wage, and the Salary Index help you understand where pay sits. No precise figure, but context matters.
A precise logistics manager salary figure is not publicly available from Australian sources, but the role typically sits above award minima and likely above the national line of 100 on the Salary Index.
What does a logistics manager earn in Australia?
If you are searching for a logistics manager salary in Australia, you will not find a single official figure from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or the Australian Bureau of Statistics. That is because “logistics manager” is a broad job title that can fall under different awards, enterprise agreements, or be award-free. This article explains how to think about pay for this role using awards, the national minimum wage, and the Salary Index.
Awards that may cover logistics managers
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for dozens of modern awards. A logistics manager might be covered by the Storage Services and Wholesale Award, the Road Transport and Distribution Award, or the Professional Employees Award, depending on the employer’s industry and the employee’s duties. However, none of these awards list a classification called “logistics manager”. Instead, the role might be classified as a “Warehouse Manager”, “Transport Manager”, or “Supply Chain Manager” at a certain level. The pay guides show minimum rates for those classifications, but they are not necessarily what a logistics manager actually earns. Many employers pay above award rates to attract and retain talent.
If the logistics manager’s role is genuinely managerial – directing the work of others, making high-level decisions, and earning above the high-income threshold – they may be award-free. In that case, the only legal minimum is the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year. That is index 48.2 on the Salary Index, meaning it is just under half the national line of 100.
Using the Salary Index to compare
The Salary Index is a simple tool: divide a yearly gross salary by the national line ($108,352) and multiply by 100. For a logistics manager earning $120,000, the index would be 111. For $150,000, it would be 138. These numbers let you compare against state and industry benchmarks. For example, the index for Western Australia is 106.9, reflecting higher average earnings, while Tasmania is 88.6. If your logistics manager role is in mining or professional services, the industry indices (154.7 and 114.7 respectively) suggest higher typical pay. But remember: these are averages, not a target.
National minimum wage as a floor
Even if a logistics manager is award-free, the national minimum wage applies. However, it is extremely unlikely that a qualified logistics manager would be paid at that level. The role typically requires experience, leadership, and often a tertiary qualification. The national minimum wage is more relevant for entry-level or junior roles. For example, a 20-year-old logistics assistant might be paid $25.83 per hour under the junior national minimum percentages, but a manager would be well above that.
Superannuation and tax considerations
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, with a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $120,000 salary, the employer must contribute $14,400 to super. For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Add the 2% Medicare levy. A logistics manager earning $120,000 would pay roughly $26,000 in tax plus Medicare, leaving about $94,000 take-home (excluding HELP or other deductions).
Where to find more information
For award-specific minimum rates, use the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. The states page on Salary Index shows how your location affects the benchmark. If you want to understand the methodology behind the index, see how the index works. For a broader view of pay across industries, visit industries.
The bottom line
A precise logistics manager salary is not published by Australian authorities. But by understanding awards, the national minimum wage, and the Salary Index, you can evaluate any offer or benchmark your own pay. If you are covered by an award, check the relevant classification. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage is your floor, but the market rate is likely much higher. Use the index to see where you sit relative to the national average and your state or industry.
Questions people ask
Is a logistics manager covered by a modern award?
It depends on the specific duties and the employer. Many logistics managers are classified under awards such as the Storage Services and Wholesale Award or the Road Transport and Distribution Award, but only if their role falls within the award's classification definitions. If the manager's primary function is high-level decision-making and they earn above the high-income threshold (currently $175,000), they may be award-free. Always check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides or use the Pay and Conditions Tool for your specific situation.
How does the national minimum wage affect a logistics manager salary?
The national minimum wage sets the absolute floor for all employees in Australia. From 1 July 2026 it is $26.44 per hour. A logistics manager will almost always earn more than this, but the national minimum wage is relevant if the role is not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Even then, the rate must be at least the national minimum. The Salary Index uses the national minimum wage as a reference point (index 48.2), so comparing a logistics manager's salary to that line shows how far above the floor it sits.
How can I use the Salary Index to evaluate a logistics manager salary?
The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 per year from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). To find the index for a logistics manager salary, divide the annual gross salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, a salary of $130,000 gives an index of 120, meaning 20% above the national line. You can then compare that index to state or industry benchmarks. Remember that the index is a benchmark, not a guarantee of what you should earn.