What is the minimum hourly rate for Qantas cabin crew under the award?

Under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020, the minimum hourly rate for a cabin crew member is $28.88 as of 1 July 2026. For a cabin crew supervisor on narrow-bodied aircraft with 4 or more crew, the rate is $33.69, and for a cabin crew manager on wide-bodied aircraft, it is $39.36. These are the minimums for full-time employees before any enterprise agreement or enterprise bargaining uplift.

How does the Qantas enterprise agreement compare to the award?

The Qantas enterprise agreement (EA11) provides higher rates. For example, a Flight Attendant (post-2007 hire) earns $43.86 per hour from November 2024, rising to $45.18 by June 2025. This is well above the award's $28.88 rate. The agreement also includes overtime provisions such as triple time for ultra long range flying, and fixed pay protection for certain operational changes.

How is superannuation and tax calculated for cabin crew earnings?

Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings paid on top of the base hourly rate. For a full-time employee on 38 hours per week, the annual gross is hourly × 38 × 52. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with nil tax-free threshold to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above. Medicare levy 2% applies. This is an estimate only.

Qantas Cabin Crew Salary: Award Rates, Enterprise Agreements, and How to Calculate Your Annual Pay

The qantas cabin crew salary under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 starts at $28.88 per hour for a cabin crew member, with enterprise agreement rates significantly higher.

Understanding the Qantas Cabin Crew Salary

When researching the qantas cabin crew salary, you'll encounter two main pay structures: the minimum rates set by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 and the higher rates under the Qantas enterprise agreement (EA11). This article explains both, shows how to convert an hourly rate to annual pay using the standard 38-hour week, and covers tax and superannuation.

Award Minimum Rates for Cabin Crew

The Fair Work Ombudsman's Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020 (MA000047) sets the legal minimum pay for cabin crew not covered by an enterprise agreement. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rates are:

Cabin crew member: $28.88 per hour
Cabin crew supervisor (narrow-bodied, 4+ crew): $33.69 per hour
Cabin crew manager (wide-bodied): $39.36 per hour

Full-time employees are rostered between 1716 and 1872 hours per year, but for calculation purposes we use the standard 38-hour week. A casual cabin crew member receives a 25% loading on top of the hourly rate, making the casual rate $36.10 per hour for a cabin crew member. Casual employees also get a minimum payment of 4 hours per engagement.

Enterprise Agreement Rates for Qantas Cabin Crew

Qantas cabin crew are covered by the EA11 enterprise agreement, which provides significantly higher pay. According to the Flight Attendants' Association of Australia (FAAA) guide, rates effective from November 2024 include:

Trainee Flight Attendant: $40.33 per hour ($62,910.68 annual)
Flight Attendant Entry: $42.98 per hour ($67,056.48 annual)
Flight Attendant: $43.86 per hour ($68,424.72 annual)
Customer Service Supervisor: $61.09 per hour ($95,306.76 annual)
Customer Service Manager: $76.44 per hour ($119,244.49 annual)

These rates are well above the award minima. The agreement also includes overtime provisions such as triple time for ultra long range flying (over 20 hours duty) and fixed pay protection for certain operational changes.

How to Calculate Annual Pay from Hourly Rate

To convert an hourly rate to annual gross pay, use the formula:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

We assume a standard 38-hour week for full-time employees. For example:

Award cabin crew at $28.88/hr: $28.88 × 38 × 52 = $57,000 (approx)
Qantas Flight Attendant at $43.86/hr: $43.86 × 38 × 52 = $86,600 (approx)

Fortnightly pay is simply weekly pay × 2. For the award example, weekly pay = $28.88 × 38 = $1,097.44, fortnightly = $2,194.88.

Tax and Superannuation

Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings paid on top of your hourly rate. For the Qantas Flight Attendant earning $86,600, super adds about $10,392 per year (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base).

Tax for 2026–27 uses the resident rates: nil to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above. Medicare levy is 2% (using 2025–26 single reduction thresholds).

Disclaimer: This is an estimate. Annual pay = hourly × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with full tax-free threshold. HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging not deducted.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual cabin crew member, you receive a 25% loading of 25% on top of the base hourly rate. Do not enter a rate that already includes loading. For award cabin crew, the casual rate is $36.10 per hour ($28.88 + 25%).

For more details on pay guides and job-specific rates, see our pay guides and job pay pages.

Key Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings

The qantas cabin crew salary under the enterprise agreement is substantially higher than the award minimum. For a Flight Attendant, the difference is about $15 per hour, or $30,000 per year. This reflects the union-negotiated conditions and the nature of the work.

Always check whether you are covered by an enterprise agreement before relying on award rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, but enterprise agreements override them.