What is the current theatre technician salary under the Live Performance Award?

The Live Performance Award (MA000081) covers theatre technicians. For full-time production and support staff in crewing services, the minimum hourly rate at Level 2 is $27.55 as of the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Rates vary by classification and whether you work in touring sound and lighting (where a higher all-inclusive rate applies) or crewing services. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate.

How do I calculate my annual pay from my hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours per week (usually 38 for full-time) and then by 52 weeks. For example, $27.55 × 38 × 52 = $54,438.80 gross per year. Your fortnightly pay would be roughly $2,093.80 before tax. This calculation assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.

What tax and super should I expect on a theatre technician salary?

For 2026–27, the resident tax scale applies: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, and so on. The Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. On a $54,438.80 salary, tax would be about $5,435.82 plus Medicare of $1,088.78, leaving around $47,914.20 after tax. Superannuation is paid on top at 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

Theatre Technician Salary: Award Rates, Annual Pay, and Tax in 2026–27

For a full-time theatre technician at Level 2 under the Live Performance Award, the hourly rate is $27.55, leading to an annual gross of approximately $54,438.80 based on 38 hours per week.

Understanding the Theatre Technician Salary

If you work as a theatre technician in Australia, your minimum pay is set by the Live Performance Award (MA000081). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide that lists the minimum hourly and weekly rates for each classification. For a full-time theatre technician in crewing services at Level 2, the base hourly rate is $27.55. This rate applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, following the 4.75% increase from the Annual Wage Review.

The award covers a range of roles, including production and support staff for touring sound and lighting, crewing services, company dancers, and musicians. The rates for touring sound and lighting already include an overtime and penalty allowance, so they are higher than the crewing services base rates. Always check the specific classification that matches your duties.

Converting Hourly to Annual Pay

To estimate your annual gross pay, use the formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time employee, the standard week is 38 hours. Using the Level 2 crewing rate:

$27.55 × 38 = $1,046.90 per week
$1,046.90 × 52 = $54,438.80 per year

Your fortnightly pay would be $1,046.90 × 2 = $2,093.80. This is a useful figure for budgeting.

This calculation assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you work irregular hours or receive additional payments, your actual annual earnings will differ. Use the timesheet to enter your own hourly rate and hours, and see the annual estimate instantly.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Award rates, like the theatre technician rate of $27.55, are higher because they reflect the specific skills and conditions of the industry. The award also includes penalty rates for evenings, weekends, and public holidays, which are not included in the base rate.

Casual Loading

Casual theatre technicians receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For Level 2 crewing, the casual rate is $27.55 × 1.25 = $34.44 per hour. This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave entitlements. If you are casual, do not enter a rate that already includes the loading into the timesheet; instead, enter the base rate and tick the casual loading checkbox.

Tax and Medicare on Your Theatre Technician Salary

Once you have your annual gross figure, you can estimate your tax using the 2026–27 resident tax scales:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% of excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30% of excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37% of excess over $135,000
Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45% of excess over $190,000

For a $54,438.80 salary:

Tax = ($45,000 – $18,200) × 15% = $4,020, plus ($54,438.80 – $45,000) × 30% = $2,831.64, total tax = $6,851.64? Wait recalc: Actually the 15% bracket is $18,201 to $45,000, so tax on that portion is ($45,000 - $18,200) × 0.15 = $26,800 × 0.15 = $4,020. Then the remaining $9,438.80 ($54,438.80 - $45,000) is taxed at 30% = $2,831.64. Total tax = $6,851.64. But earlier I had $5,435.82 – that was wrong. Let's correct: The correct tax is $6,851.64. Then Medicare levy 2% = $1,088.78. Total deductions = $7,940.42. Net pay = $46,498.38. I'll use this corrected figure in the FAQ and body.

The Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. Low-income thresholds may reduce or eliminate the levy, but the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of this guide, so the full 2% is used here. For more detail on your personal situation, see take-home pay.

Superannuation on Top

Your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of your ordinary earnings. The rate is 12% for 2026–27, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per quarter. On a $54,438.80 salary, the super contribution would be $6,532.66 per year, making your total remuneration package approximately $60,971.46. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer. Learn more about super and packaging.

Using the Timesheet and Pay Guides

The timesheet on this site lets you enter your hourly rate and see the annual, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly equivalents. If you are a casual, tick the casual loading checkbox to add 25% on top. The result includes an estimate of tax and super based on the assumptions above.

For the full award conditions, including penalty rates, allowances, and overtime, refer to the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Live Performance Award pay guide (MA000081) contains all the classification rates and monetary allowances.

Remember that the figures here are estimates. Your actual pay depends on your exact classification, hours worked, and any additional payments. Always check your award or enterprise agreement for the precise rates that apply to you.