The entry level salary in Australia in 2026 spans a wide range, from award-rate starting pay for first-year apprentices to $80,000-plus for degree graduates in high-demand fields. Where you start depends less on age than it does on your pathway into the workforce. Graduates, apprentices, school leavers, vocational qualifiers and career changers all enter on different pay scales, and the gap between them is significant. This guide maps every pathway, shows what each one pays, and explains what drives your first salary offer.
| Ready to turn salary insights into your next opportunity? Start as a Seeker and explore software engineering roles across Australia. |
What is the average entry level salary in Australia in 2026?
There is no single entry level salary figure, because the starting point depends heavily on your route into the workforce. Skilled graduates typically enter at $65,000 to $80,000 a year, while first-year apprentices under 21 earn between $500 and $700 a week under Fair Work Modern Award rates. That works out to about $26,000 to $36,400 a year. Adult apprentices (aged 21 and over) start higher, with a first-year plumber earning around $954.10 a week, per Fair Work Award figures.
Full-time workers on the National Minimum Wage earn $948 a week, or $24.95 an hour, as set by the Fair Work Commission from 1 July 2025. Casual workers on the same floor earn at least $31.19, including the 25% loading. A confirmed 4.75% rise to at least $26.44 an hour takes effect from 1 July 2026. On top of any wage, employers pay 12% superannuation, which adds real value to the headline figure. For the national salary picture across all experience levels, see our guide to the average salary in Australia.
Entry level salary by career pathway
The biggest factor in your starting salary is how you entered the workforce. Each pathway carries its own pay scale, governed by different rules.
Graduate and degree entry
University graduates enter between $65,000 and $80,000 in most professional fields. The QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey puts the bachelor-degree median near $75,000, four to six months after finishing study. High-demand fields like technology and financial services often start closer to $75,000 to $85,000. Postgraduate coursework graduates sit higher, near the $100,000 median. For a degree-by-degree breakdown by field, see our freshers salary guide.
Apprentice and trainee salary
Apprentices earn a wage set by the relevant Modern Award, which increases each year of the apprenticeship. Under-21 school leavers in their first year typically earn $500 to $700 a week. Adult apprentices (21 and over) start higher, with adult rates applying across most trades. By year four, most apprentices earn close to qualified rates. After completing a four-year electrical apprenticeship, for example, average earnings jump to $85,000 to $95,000, according to industry data. Nearly all apprentices, more than 95%, secure employment straight after finishing, per industry sources.
School leaver and award-rate entry
School leavers who enter the workforce directly start at or above the Award minimum for their industry. Many junior roles have age-based pay tiers, which means under-21 workers often start below the adult minimum. A full-time worker on the adult National Minimum Wage earns $24.95 an hour, annualising to about $49,300. Casual workers earn $31.19 an hour. The actual rate depends on the applicable Modern Award, so always verify using the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Calculator.
Vocational and certificate holders
Workers with a Certificate III, Certificate IV or Diploma typically earn above the school-leaver floor but below the graduate band. Most certificate-level entry roles in trades, community services and business start at $50,000 to $65,000 a year. A Diploma holder often attracts $55,000 to $70,000 in fields like nursing, childcare and applied technology. Vocational qualifications also tend to shorten the time to the mid-level pay band because the skills are immediately applicable on the job.
Career changer entry
Experienced professionals who switch industries often start at the 25th percentile of their new field, because employers pay for demonstrated field-specific output, not general life experience. However, the gap usually closes faster than for a true beginner. Transferable skills like project management, client communication and data analysis allow career changers to reach mid-level pay within two to three years rather than five to seven. If you are navigating the Australian workforce for the first time, our first-time-in-Australia guide covers the essentials.
| Want to earn from today? CloudColleague also provides professionals with an option forfreelance tasks. Go throughguides on tasks and how bidding worksto learn more about online and freelance tasks. |
Entry level salary by industry in 2026
Starting pay varies sharply across fields. Technology and engineering offer the highest entry-level floors, while retail and hospitality start closer to Award minimums.
| Field | Entry-level salary (AUD/yr) |
| Technology and software | $70,000 – $85,000 |
| Engineering | $70,000 – $85,000 |
| Finance and accounting | $55,000 – $68,000 |
| Healthcare | $65,000 – $78,000 |
| Trades (post-apprenticeship) | $75,000 – $90,000 |
| Education | $68,000 – $78,000 |
| Marketing and digital | $55,000 – $65,000 |
| Retail and hospitality | $49,000 – $58,000 |
Figures reflect the 25th-percentile starting range from the Robert Half 2026 Australia Salary Guide and SEEK benchmarks. Trades figures represent qualified tradies stepping out of a completed apprenticeship, since the apprenticeship years themselves sit at award minimums. For per-role breakdowns across all experience levels, see our guide to salary by job role.
Read Next: Salary Growth by Experience. and Mid-Level Salary Breakdown in Australia 2026.
What your qualifications mean for entry level salary
Your qualification sets your starting point more than almost any other single factor. A school leaver and a bachelor graduate applying for the same job can sit $15,000 to $25,000 apart at entry level. That gap narrows over five to ten years as experience compounds, but it matters most in your first three years.
The Robert Half 2026 framework positions professionals new to the role at the 25th percentile. Those with a strong degree and relevant skills, certifications or portfolio evidence can often negotiate into the mid-50th percentile at entry. This is worth understanding clearly before you accept your first offer. A Certificate or Diploma in a relevant area often bridges the gap between a school-leaver rate and a graduate rate, particularly in healthcare, childcare, hospitality management and technology support roles.
Postgraduate qualifications open a higher band. QILT data shows postgraduate coursework graduates earn close to $100,000 within months of finishing. That premium over a bachelor’s degree reflects both the depth of knowledge and the more specialised roles that postgraduate credentials unlock.
Are you actively hiring? Start as an employer on CloudColleague and start hiring today.
How entry level pay is set in Australia?
Your minimum pay is governed by the Fair Work Act and the Modern Awards that apply to your industry or occupation. Modern Awards set the floor for wages, hours, penalty rates and entitlements in each sector. The Fair Work Commission reviews and adjusts these rates each July through the Annual Wage Review.
If your employer uses an enterprise agreement, your pay may be higher than the Award rate, but it cannot be lower. Most white-collar professional roles, particularly in technology, finance and marketing, sit well above the Award floor. Awards matter most in retail, hospitality, healthcare, construction and the trades. Always check the Fair Work Ombudsman website or Pay Calculator for the exact Award rate in your job and industry.
Age also affects your starting pay under some Awards. Junior rates apply to workers under 21 in many industries, meaning an 18-year-old and a 25-year-old in identical roles can start at different hourly rates. Adult rates kick in at 21 in most awards, which is an important threshold for school leavers to know.
Entry level salary vs total package
The wage your employer advertises is your gross base pay. Your actual remuneration includes superannuation, which employers pay at 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. On a $65,000 entry-level salary, that means $7,800 in super on top, lifting your total cost to the employer to $72,800.
Casual workers gain a 25% loading in place of paid leave, which lifts the hourly rate but provides less overall security. Part-time and shift workers may also attract penalty rates under their Award, which can meaningfully increase weekly earnings. For a full breakdown of how base pay, super, loadings and benefits combine into a total package, see our salary structure guide.
How to increase your entry level salary offer
Most people accept the first number they are given. That is rarely necessary. Research is the most powerful tool here. Check your role against the SEEK Salary Checker and the Robert Half 2026 percentiles before any negotiation. If the offer sits at the 25th percentile, you have a clear, evidence-based case for requesting the 50th.
Bring specific evidence into the conversation. A relevant certification, a completed project, a portfolio or a strong academic result all give your case weight. Timing also matters. Most offers are more flexible before you sign than after, and salary reviews in probationary roles usually come at the three or six-month mark. For the full negotiation conversation, including scripts and timing strategies, see our interview and negotiation tips.
How entry level salary grows into a career
The entry level salary you accept today is not a ceiling. It is a starting line. Most Australian professionals who progress consistently see their pay double within ten to fifteen years. The shift from entry ($60,000 to $80,000) to mid-level ($85,000 to $120,000) is the biggest proportional jump in most careers, and it often comes from a combination of specialisation and a strategic employer change.
The salary by experience guide maps the full arc from first job to executive level, with field-by-field benchmarks. CloudColleague connects entry-level and experienced professionals with employers who pay market rates. To start building that trajectory today, you can browse entry-level roles and apply in minutes.
Start your career earning what you are worth. CloudColleague matches professionals at every stage with businesses that pay competitively, and settles invoices the same day through Stripe.
| Ready to get started in Australia? Create your free account, join now, and explore new opportunities. |
Entry level salary FAQ
Most skilled entry-level roles pay $65,000 to $80,000 a year. Apprentices and school-leaver roles start lower, at Award rates.
Under-21 first-year apprentices earn $500 to $700 a week under Fair Work Award rates. Adult apprentices (21+) start higher.
A full-time role above the National Minimum Wage ($948 a week) is a reasonable floor. Roles with a relevant qualification or award-based premium pay more.
Yes, significantly. A bachelor degree typically unlocks $65,000 to $80,000, while a school leaver in the same industry often starts $10,000 to $20,000 below that.
Check it against the SEEK Salary Checker and the Robert Half 2026 25th percentile for your role and city. If it sits below that, you have room to negotiate.
Most professionals reach mid-level pay ($85,000 to $120,000) within five to eight years. The fastest growth comes from specialization and a well-timed employer move.
