What is the typical stenographer salary in Australia?

Stenographer salaries vary by award, experience, and location. There is no single published figure from the Fair Work Commission or Australian Bureau of Statistics specifically for stenographers. Most stenographers are covered by an award such as the Clerks Award or a state-based court reporting award. You can find minimum rates in the relevant pay guide on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. For a guide, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, but award rates are often higher.

How do I convert my hourly stenographer rate to annual pay?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week, then by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time week of 38 hours, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. For example, at $30 per hour, annual gross pay would be $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280. This assumes no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. Use our [hourly conversion](/topics/hourly-conversion) tool for a quick estimate.

Does the stenographer salary include superannuation?

No, the salary figure quoted by employers is usually the base rate before super. Under the super guarantee, your employer must pay an additional 12% of your ordinary earnings into your super fund, on top of your salary. For 2026–27, the maximum contribution base is $270,830. So if your annual salary is $60,000, your employer adds $7,200 in super. This is not part of your take-home pay. See [super and packaging](/topics/super-and-packaging) for details.

Stenographer Salary: Hourly to Annual Pay Guide for 2026–27

A stenographer salary depends on the applicable award; for a 38-hour week, the national minimum wage is $26.44/hour, but most stenographers earn above that under their award.

Converting Your Stenographer Salary from Hourly to Annual

If you work as a stenographer in Australia, understanding your annual salary from an hourly rate is essential for budgeting, comparing job offers, and planning tax. This guide walks you through the conversion using a standard 38-hour week and 52-week year, and explains how tax, superannuation, and casual loading affect your pay.

The 38-Hour Week and 52-Week Year

Most full-time employees in Australia work 38 ordinary hours per week, as defined by the Fair Work Act. To convert an hourly rate to annual gross pay, use this formula:

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

For example, if your stenographer salary is $35 per hour:

$35 × 38 × 52 = $69,160 per year

This calculation assumes you work the same hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you work part-time or irregular hours, adjust the weekly hours accordingly.

Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. Your gross fortnightly pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. Using the same example:

Weekly pay: $35 × 38 = $1,330 Fortnightly pay: $1,330 × 2 = $2,660

Knowing your fortnightly amount helps with budgeting and comparing to salary offers that are quoted per year.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the minimum for award/agreement-free employees. However, most stenographers are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the official rates for each classification.

To find the correct minimum for your role, check the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. For example, the Clerks Award or the Court Services Victoria Award may apply. Your actual stenographer salary may be above the award rate depending on experience and location.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual stenographer, you are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave. The casual loading is added to the minimum award rate or the national minimum wage. For the national minimum wage, the casual rate is $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25).

When using our casual loading tool, never enter a rate that already includes the loading. Enter the base hourly rate, then check the box to add 25% on top.

Superannuation and Tax

Superannuation is paid on top of your salary. For 2026–27, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So if your annual stenographer salary is $70,000, your employer must contribute an additional $8,400 to your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra cost to the employer.

Tax is withheld by your employer using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds). Use our take-home pay calculator to estimate your net pay after tax and Medicare.

Using Pay Guides and Reference Tables

For the most accurate stenographer salary information, refer to the official pay guides published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. These guides list minimum hourly rates, allowances, and penalty rates for each award classification. You can access them via our reference tables page.

Remember that your actual pay may differ if you work overtime, receive allowances, or have a salary sacrifice arrangement. The conversion on this site assumes a simple hourly rate with no extras.

Example Calculation

Let’s put it all together for a hypothetical stenographer earning $38 per hour under a relevant award, working 38 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Annual gross: $38 × 38 × 52 = $75,088
Fortnightly gross: $75,088 ÷ 26 = $2,888
Super (12%): $75,088 × 0.12 = $9,010.56 (paid on top)
Estimated tax (2026–27): approximately $15,738 (including Medicare levy)
Estimated take-home: $75,088 – $15,738 = $59,350 per year

This is an estimate only. For a personalised calculation, use our hourly conversion tool and adjust for your specific circumstances.

Final Thoughts

Your stenographer salary can vary widely based on your award, experience, and employment type. Always check the relevant award and pay guide for the correct minimum rates. The national minimum wage provides a floor, but most stenographers earn above it. Use the formulas and tools on this site to convert your hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, and remember that super is paid on top of your salary.