Home / Guides / States and cities
Operations manager salary Melbourne: awards and the national minimum wage
Understand how the operations manager salary Melbourne compares to the national minimum wage and award rates. See index figures and industry benchmarks.
The typical operations manager salary in Melbourne is well above the national minimum wage, but precise index figures depend on industry and experience.
Operations manager salary Melbourne: awards and the national minimum wage
When you search for "operations manager salary Melbourne", you are looking at the typical pay for a role that oversees daily operations in a business. This guide explains where that salary sits against the national line (index 100 = $108,352 annualised) and how it compares to award rates and the national minimum wage.
What the search results show
Recent data from shows that advertised salaries for operations managers in Melbourne vary by industry. The highest average is in Information & Communication Technology at $132,125, followed by Manufacturing at $126,747 and Banking & Financial Services at $126,315. These figures are based on salaries disclosed by employers in job ads and may include superannuation or bonuses. They are not official government statistics, but they give a useful market indication.
The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database provides minimum rates for awards that might apply to some operations managers, such as the Clerks Award or the Managers Award. However, many operations managers are award-free if their salary exceeds the high-income threshold ($175,000 from 1 July 2026) or if their duties are not covered by an award. The Fair Work Ombudsman's tool helps calculate pay under awards, but it is best used for roles clearly within award coverage.
Awards versus the national minimum wage
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, annualised to $52,255, which gives an index of 48.2. That means a worker earning exactly the national minimum wage earns about half the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. Even the lowest advertised operations manager salaries in Melbourne (around $107,000 in Call Centre & Customer Service) are more than double that, giving an index of about 99. A typical $130,000 salary would be index 120.
Award rates for management classifications are higher than the national minimum wage but still far below typical operations manager pay. For example, a Level 5 classification under the Clerks Award might pay around $28–$30 per hour, annualised to $58,000–$62,000, index 54–57. Operations managers are usually above these award floors, often covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
Using the Salary Index
The Salary Index measures gross annual earnings against the national line of 100 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings). For an operations manager in Melbourne earning $130,000, the index is 120. That means they earn 20% above the national average. Compare that to the Victorian state index of 98 ($106,137 annualised) or the national minimum wage index of 48.2. The index helps you see where a pay figure sits relative to the broader workforce.
For more context, see our pay guides for other roles, or check how salaries vary by states and industries. Our how the index works page explains the calculation in detail.
Industry variations
Operations manager salaries in Melbourne differ significantly by industry. According to SEEK data, the highest paying industries are:
- Information & Communication Technology: $132,125
- Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics: $126,747
- Banking & Financial Services: $126,315
- Retail & Consumer Products: $129,865 (second highest overall)
- Call Centre & Customer Service: $107,219
These figures are advertised salaries and may not reflect total remuneration including super, bonuses, or benefits. The industries page shows how different sectors compare on the index.
Tax and super considerations
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. For an operations manager earning $130,000, the employer would contribute $15,600 in super, making total remuneration $145,600. Resident tax for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) is nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,190, and 45% above $190,000. Medicare levy is 2%. A typical take-home pay for $130,000 would be about $94,000 after tax and Medicare, ignoring HELP or salary sacrifice.
Caveats
These figures are benchmarks, not a quote for a person or job offer. Always check the relevant award or enterprise agreement if you are an employee, or consult a professional advisor. For more topics related to pay, see our topics page.
Questions people ask
What is the average operations manager salary in Melbourne?
Based on SEEK job ad data from June 2026, advertised salaries for operations managers in Melbourne range from about $107,000 in call centres to over $132,000 in IT, with many industries averaging around $126,000–$130,000. These figures are before super and may include bonuses. Actual earnings depend on experience, industry, and employer.
Are operations managers covered by a modern award?
Some operations managers may be covered by awards such as the Clerks Award or the Managers Award, but many are award-free if their salary exceeds the high-income threshold ($175,000 from 1 July 2026) or if they perform managerial duties not covered by an award. Enterprise agreements often set higher rates. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman's PACT tool or the Modern Awards Pay Database for applicable minimums.
How does an operations manager salary compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($52,255 annualised), which is index 48.2 on the Salary Index. A typical operations manager salary of $130,000 would be index 120, meaning it is about 2.5 times the national minimum wage. Even the lowest advertised operations manager roles pay well above the award minimums for clerical or managerial classifications.