Monash salary: what professional staff earn and how it compares
Monash salary rates for professional staff under the enterprise agreement, compared to state and industry averages using the Salary Index.
Monash professional salaries range from index 91 for HEW 5 to over 136 for HEW 9, with HEW 6 near the national line at index 100.
What "monash salary" means
When people search for "monash salary", they are usually looking for the pay rates at Monash University, one of Australia's largest universities. Monash has enterprise agreements that set minimum salaries for both academic and professional staff. The most recent agreement, approved by the Fair Work Commission, covers professional staff from HEW 1 to HEW 9, with rates that increase each year until mid-2026. These rates are important because they set the floor for thousands of employees in Victoria's education sector.
State and industry context
Monash is based in Victoria, where the state salary index is 98, meaning the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in Victoria are about $106,137 per year, slightly below the national line of $108,352. The education and training industry nationally has an index of 105.5, or about $114,300 annualised. So Monash professional salaries sit somewhere between the state average and the industry average, depending on the classification level. For more on how state and industry benchmarks work, see states and industries.
Monash professional salary levels
The enterprise agreement lists salaries for professional staff at Higher Education Worker (HEW) levels 1 to 9. Each level has multiple steps. The rates from the agreement effective 18 April 2026 are:
- HEW 1 step 1: $63,271
- HEW 2 step 1: $68,250
- HEW 3 step 1: $77,760
- HEW 4 step 1: $84,963
- HEW 5 step 1: $99,179
- HEW 6 step 1: $108,106
- HEW 7 step 1: $121,227
- HEW 8 step 1: $137,251
- HEW 9 step 4: $145,062 (step 3: $147,962)
These are annual salaries. To see where they sit on the Salary Index, we compare each to the national line of $108,352. For example, HEW 6 step 1 at $108,106 gives an index of about 99.8, almost exactly the national average. HEW 5 step 1 at $99,179 gives an index of 91.5, below the national line. HEW 7 step 1 at $121,227 gives an index of 111.9, above the national line. So the index ranges from about 91 for entry-level professional roles to over 136 for senior HEW 9 roles. The how the index works page explains the calculation in detail.
How the enterprise agreement sets these rates
The Monash University Enterprise Agreement (Academic and Professional Staff) 2024 was approved by the Fair Work Commission and expires on 30 June 2026. It includes annual increases: 3% from December 2022, 4% from June 2023, 3% from June 2024, 3.5% from June 2025, and another 3.5% from April 2026. These rates are the minimum for each classification; employees may be paid more if the role demands it. The agreement covers both professional and academic staff, but the salary table for professional staff is the one most commonly referenced.
Comparison to awards and national minimum
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255, giving an index of 48.2. Monash HEW 1 step 1 at $63,271 is well above that. The entry-level award floor for professional roles is around $25.74 per hour, so Monash professional salaries are clearly above award minima. For a full list of pay guides by industry, see pay guides.
Super and tax considerations
For a Monash employee on HEW 6 step 1, the salary of $108,106 attracts the super guarantee of 12% from 1 July 2026. The tax on that salary, using 2026–27 resident rates excluding Medicare, is: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020), 30% on the next $63,106 ($18,931.80), total tax $22,951.80. Adding the 2% Medicare levy ($2,162.12) gives an estimated take-home of about $82,992. This estimate ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.
How Monash salary fits into the national picture
Monash professional salaries span a wide range. At the lower end, HEW 5 is below the national average, reflecting the nature of administrative and support roles. At the senior end, HEW 8 and 9 are well above, comparable to professional roles in mining or professional services. The education and training industry index of 105.5 suggests that on average, education workers earn slightly above the national line. Monash's professional staff at HEW 6 and above contribute to that average, while lower levels pull it down. For a broader view of how different industries compare, see topics.
Key takeaways
- Monash professional salaries range from index 58 (HEW 1) to 137 (HEW 9).
- The most common level, HEW 6, is almost exactly at the national line.
- Victoria's state index of 98 means Monash salaries are generally above the state average.
- The enterprise agreement guarantees annual increases and sets a clear pay structure.
For more on how your salary compares, use the Salary Index calculator on the Salary Index homepage.
Questions people ask
What is the average monash salary for professional staff?
There is no single average, but the most common classification is HEW 6, where step 1 pays $108,106 per year, almost exactly the national average of $108,352. HEW 5 step 1 is $99,179, and HEW 7 step 1 is $121,227. The range is from $63,271 at HEW 1 to over $147,000 at HEW 9.
How does monash salary compare to other universities?
Monash uses the standard HEW classification system common in Australian universities. Its rates are competitive within the sector. Compared to the education and training industry index of 105.5, Monash professional salaries at HEW 6 and above are above the industry average, while lower levels like HEW 5 are below.
What is the salary index for monash professional staff?
The Salary Index compares yearly gross salary to the national line of $108,352. For Monash professional staff, HEW 5 step 1 gives an index of 91.5, HEW 6 step 1 gives 99.8, HEW 7 step 1 gives 111.9, and HEW 9 step 3 gives 136.6. This shows a wide spread from below to well above the national average.