Management Accountant Salary: Awards, Minimums and What to Expect
Explore management accountant salary in Australia: awards vs national minimum wage, industry indices, and what the data shows. No precise figure but above-average earnings.
The precise figure for management accountant salary is uncertain, but industry and education data suggest it sits well above the national minimum wage and likely above the national line (index 100).
What is a Management Accountant Salary?
A management accountant salary is the annual or weekly pay for professionals who provide performance-based financial reporting, budgeting, cost management, and strategic governance. According to the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile, management accountants work in industries such as Public Administration and Safety, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, and Financial and Insurance Services. The profile shows that 87% work full-time, with average full-time hours of 42 per week. However, median weekly earnings are listed as N/A, meaning no precise public figure is available from that source.
Awards and the National Minimum Wage
The writing angle here is awards versus the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255, which sits at index 48.2 on the Salary Index. The index is calculated as yearly gross divided by the national line (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352) times 100. So the national minimum wage is well below the national line.
Management accountants, being professionals, are unlikely to be paid at the national minimum wage. They may be covered by a modern award such as the Professional Employees Award, though the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database does not specifically list management accountant classifications in the search results. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for various awards, but again no specific management accountant guide is referenced.
Award minimum rates for professional employees are typically higher than the national minimum wage. For example, entry-level award floors start at $25.74 per hour, but management accountants usually have a bachelor degree or higher (89.7% according to the Jobs and Skills profile), so they would be classified at higher levels within an award or be above award.
How Management Accountant Salary Compares on the Index
Since no precise figure is available, we can look at the industry index for Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, which is 114.7 (annualised $124,000 approximately). This suggests that management accountants in that industry earn above the national line. The national line itself is $108,352 annualised (index 100). Men earn $2,181 per week (index 108.8) and women $1,934.50 (index 96.5) on average across all occupations. Management accountants have a female share of 55%, so the gender mix may influence overall averages.
State indices also vary: New South Wales index 101.2, Victoria 98, Queensland 97.9, Western Australia 106.9, Australian Capital Territory 109.9. Management accountants in WA or ACT may earn higher due to industry mix. See states for more detail.
Factors Influencing Management Accountant Salary
Experience, qualifications, and location matter. The median age is 39, indicating a mature workforce. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so total remuneration includes super. Tax rates for 2026-27: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above, plus 2% Medicare levy. A management accountant earning $120,000 would have a take-home of about $86,000 after tax and Medicare (estimate).
Conclusion
While a precise management accountant salary figure is not publicly available from the sources searched, the occupation is clearly above the national minimum wage and likely above the national line, especially in professional services industries. For more detailed comparisons, see how the index works and explore industries data on Salary Index. You can also browse related topics for other professional salaries.
Questions people ask
What is the typical salary for a management accountant in Australia?
No precise public figure is available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics or Jobs and Skills Australia for management accountants. However, the occupation is highly educated and works in industries with above-average earnings, such as Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (index 114.7). This suggests a management accountant salary likely exceeds the national line of $108,352 per year.
Are management accountants covered by a modern award?
The search results do not specify a particular award for management accountants. They may be covered by the Professional Employees Award, but many management accountants are employed above award rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for various awards, but no management accountant-specific guide was referenced in the search.
How does the management accountant salary compare to the national minimum wage?
Management accountants earn well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). Given the professional qualifications required and the industry indices (e.g., Professional Services at 114.7), a management accountant salary is likely more than double the national minimum wage and above the national line.