Trade Assistant Salary: What to Expect and How It Compares

What is a trade assistant?

A trade assistant is a worker who supports skilled tradespeople in industries like manufacturing, construction, mining, and engineering. Tasks might include preparing materials, cleaning worksites, operating basic machinery, or helping with installations. Because the role is broad, there is no single "trade assistant salary" – it depends on the industry, the specific award, and the employee's experience.

When you see a job ad for a trade assistant, the advertised pay might be an hourly rate or an annual salary. To know whether it's a fair offer, you need to compare it against the national benchmark. That's where the Salary Index comes in.

How the Salary Index works

The Salary Index sets the national line at 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Any salary can be converted to an index number by dividing the annual gross figure by $108,352 and multiplying by 100. For example, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour works out to about $52,255 per year, which is an index of 48.2.

To compare a trade assistant job offer, start by annualising the hourly rate. A full-time trade assistant works 38 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. If the ad says $30 per hour, that's $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280 per year, giving an index of 54.7. That's above the minimum wage but well below the national average. However, many trade assistants earn more, especially in high-demand industries like mining or with overtime and penalties.

Finding the right award

Trade assistants are almost always covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award, which list minimum hourly rates, allowances, and penalty rates. Common awards for trade assistants include:

• Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 – covers trade assistants in factories, warehouses, and production lines.
• Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 – covers labourers and assistants on construction sites.
• Mining Industry Award 2020 – covers trade assistants in mining operations, often with higher pay.
• Joinery and Building Trades Award 2020 – covers assistants in joinery workshops and building sites.

Each award has multiple classification levels. A trade assistant might start at Level 1 and progress with experience. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the exact minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates for all awards, updated after the 2026 Annual Wage Review.

State and industry variations

Where you work matters. The Salary Index varies by state: Western Australia has an index of 106.9 ($115,825 annualised), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). A trade assistant in WA's mining sector will likely earn more than one in Tasmanian retail or hospitality. Check the states page for your local benchmark.

Industry also plays a big role. Mining has an index of 154.7, while retail trade is 75.9. A trade assistant in mining might earn well above the national average, while one in manufacturing or construction might be closer to 70–80 on the index. Use the industries page to see typical ranges.

Super and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. That means on a $60,000 salary, your employer adds $7,200 to your super account. This is on top of the advertised salary.

For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates apply: no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, and so on. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A trade assistant earning $60,000 would pay about $8,717 in tax and Medicare, leaving a take-home of about $51,283. That's a rough estimate – it ignores HELP repayments or the Medicare levy surcharge.

How to compare two job offers

Imagine you have two trade assistant offers: one in Brisbane at $32 per hour (index 58.3) and one in Perth at $36 per hour (index 65.6). The Perth offer looks better on paper, but you also need to consider the cost of living and state index. Queensland's index is 97.9, while WA's is 106.9 – so the Perth offer is still ahead relative to the local average. Use the how the index works page to run your own comparisons.

Also check whether the job includes penalty rates for overtime, weekends, or public holidays. Many trade assistant roles in construction or manufacturing offer these, which can boost the effective hourly rate significantly.

Caveats and next steps

Remember that the Salary Index is a benchmark for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. It doesn't reflect casual loading (typically 25% on top of the minimum rate) or part-time arrangements. A casual trade assistant might earn $33.05 per hour (the national minimum wage plus casual loading) but that's still below many award rates.

Always verify the award classification in the job ad. If it's not stated, ask the employer or use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool. The topics page has more guides on reading job ads and understanding pay.

In summary, a trade assistant salary can range from around $55,000 to $80,000 per year depending on the industry, location, and experience. By converting offers to the Salary Index, you can make an apples-to-apples comparison and see where you stand against the national line.