The lowest-paying jobs in Australia
If you’re just starting out in the workforce or making the change to a new industry, then you’re likely to start off in an entry-level position. While these tend to be low-paying jobs, they can be great stepping stones to higher-paying roles.
In this article we explore the minimum salaries in Australia in different jobs, and cover examples of low-paying jobs on SEEK, their expected earnings, and the potential career paths they offer.
What is the minimum salary in Australia?
The lowest salary in Australia depends on a number of factors, like age, location, and which award it falls under. Industry award classifications set minimum terms of employment, in addition to those outlined in the National Employment Standards (NES). If there’s no award or agreement, then The Fair Work Commission sets a National Minimum Wage, which is currently $23.23 per hour (or $882.80 per week) for adult employees.
The lowest pay rate in Australia is for junior employees – under 21 years of age. Generally this starts out at 50% of the applicable adult pay rate and increases with age. According to the Australian Workers’ Union, this currently stands at:
- $8.55 an hour for those under the age of 16
- $10.98 an hour for those aged 16
Lowest-paying jobs in Australia
Low-paying jobs are often ‘unskilled’ jobs with a low barrier to entry. This means that they’re accessible without any pre-requisite qualifications or technical abilities. They’re great stepping-stone jobs, whether to positions with more seniority and responsibility, or to different lines of work entirely. While their salaries may be low, the transferable skills and experience they offer can be invaluable. Most people in the workforace started out in a low-paying job.
Here’s an overview of some of the lowest paid jobs on SEEK in Australia.
Admin assistant
An administration assistant holds a support role in an office, taking care of everyday operational duties. Tasks for an admin assistant can include:
- Answering phones
- Scheduling appointments and meetings
- Drafting letters
- Organising and filing
- General clerical tasks
- Running errands
Skills you’ll learn: you’ll learn transferable skills such as communication, prioritisation and organisation, plus skills in Microsoft Office and any other software your office uses.
National average salary range: $55,000 to $60,000 per year.
Career opportunities: admin assistants can become project managers, office executives, personal assistants and account managers – or train for almost any other non-technical office role.
Farm assistant or farmhand
A farm assistant helps with the day-to-day duties involved in farmwork. Daily responsibilities vary depending on the type and size of farm, but will generally include:
- Feeding and caring for animals
- Tending to crops
- Repairs and maintenance
- Mowing or clearing fields
- General assistance
Skills you’ll learn: skills in agriculture, livestock management, time management, and problem solving.
National average salary range: $60,000 to $65,000 per year.
Career opportunities: farm assistants can work their way up to positions such as leading hand, senior farm assistant or farm manager, or move into another area of agriculture or animal care.
Childcare worker
Entry-level jobs in childcare earn some of the lowest wages in Australia, but can lead to high-paying careers and offer valuable experience for those pursuing a career in education. Being a childcare worker means looking after babies and children up to primary-school age. Daily duties include things like:
- Supervising and caring for children
- Planning and implementing engaging activities
- Entertaining and potentially preparing food for children
Skills you’ll learn: time management, childcare duties, patience, problem solving, customer service and critical thinking.
National average salary range: $55,000 to $65,000 per year.
Career opportunities: starting as an entry-level childcare worker, you can work towards higher-paying careers such as a kindergarten teacher or childcare centre manager. A background in childcare can help you pursue a role as a nanny or au pair.
Manufacturer
There are lots of kinds of manufacturers, creating all different types of items and components, generally in a factory or workshop setting. The role of manufacturer can encompass measuring and cutting raw materials, assembling parts, working on an assembly line, and taking on general tasks in a factory or warehouse. Depending on the role, tasks could include:
- Operating machinery
- Overseeing production and quality
- Ordering supplies or materials
- Measuring, cutting and drilling metal, timber or plastic components
- Assembling parts
Skills you’ll learn: manufacturing processes, attention to detail, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
National average salary range: $65,000 to $70,000 per year.
Career opportunities: higher paying careers in manufacturing include production manager and manufacturing engineer.
Kitchen hand
A kitchen hand (sometimes called a kitchen attendant) works as an assistant in a commercial kitchen. Your main duties as a kitchen hand are generally:
- Washing dishes
- Keeping equipment clean
- Cleaning and tidying
- Helping with food preparation
- Inventory
- Busing tables
- Disposing of waste
Skills you’ll learn: food safety, time management, teamwork, cleaning, attention to detail, working under pressure.
National average salary range: $50,000 to $70,000 per year.
Career opportunities: starting as a kitchen hand, you can work your way into careers like a restaurant manager, F&B manager in a hotel, or almost any role in a café, bar or restaurant.
Factory worker
In the realm of lowest income in Australia is entry-level factory work, which involves working on production lines, using machinery, cleaning equipment, assembling items and/or organising warehouse stock. Factory work often involves repetitive tasks that require good attention to detail for long hours. Your duties may include:
- Operating machinery
- Assembling products
- Cleaning your machinery or workspace
- Reporting production issues
Skills you’ll learn: manufacturing processes, teamwork, attention to detail, critical thinking, problem solving.
National average salary range: $50,000 to $55,000 per year.
Career opportunities: factor workers can often progress their careers into higher paying positions such as a warehouse worker, technicians or operations manager. Factory work is in growing demand in Australia, and offers the benefit of job security and the potential for boosting income through penalty rates.
Hairdresser
Hairdressers cut, colour, treat and style people's hair. As an apprentice hairdresser, you’ll start on roughly the lowest wage in Australia, and at first be responsible for washing, drying, cleaning equipment, maintaining salon cleanliness and sweeping the floor. As you progress, you’ll be responsible for cutting, colouring, and styling hair for clients. Some of your daily tasks may include:
- Taking appointments
- Seating clients
- Making tea and coffee
- Washing and drying hair
- Cleaning the salon
Skills you’ll learn: customer service, communication, attention to detail, technical skills to do with hair styling.
National average salary range: $35,000 to $55,000 per year.
Career opportunities: as a hairdresser, there are opportunities to advance your career into roles like a senior stylist, barber or salon manager. You could also open your own business or work freelance for private clients and set your own rates.
Housekeeper
Housekeepers clean commercial spaces like offices, hotels and inns, and can also provide domestic services to private residences. Daily tasks vary depending on the specific job, but generally include:
- Dusting
- Vacuuming
- Cleaning bathrooms and kitchens
- Changing linen
- Doing laundry
- Disposing of waste
- Tidying up
- Deep cleaning
- Meal preparation
- Kitchen and cleaning inventory
Skills you’ll learn: time management, multi-tasking, attention to detail, housekeeping and cleaning expertise.
National average salary range: $60,000 to $70,000 per year.
Career opportunities: higher-paying positions for housekeepers include roles like executive housekeeper or director of housekeeping. In a hotel, a housekeeping role could lead to positions in other areas of hospitality as hotel brands often advertise positions available in different properties and even countries.
Cleaner
Cleaners can work in a variety of settings, such as schools, offices, events venues and hospitals. As a cleaner, your daily tasks may include:
- Dusting and polishing furniture and surfaces
- Mopping
- Vacuuming
- Disposing of waste
- Tidying
Skills you’ll learn: time management, attention to detail, communication and customer service.
National average salary range: $55,000 to $65,000 per year.
Career opportunities: cleaners can advance their careers into higher-paying roles such as cleaning supervisor, team leader or even the boss of your own company.
Tour guide
Of all the low-paying jobs in Australia, this one offsets a modest salary with adventure and enjoyment. As a tour guide, your responsibilities may include:
- Driving a tour bus
- Picking up and greeting tourists
- Providing engaging commentary and information on destinations and attractions
- Facilitating meal preparation
- Upselling optional extras (such as cruises, diving etc)
- Basic vehicle maintenance and repairs
- Ensuring the health and safety of travellers
Skills you’ll learn: problem solving, sales skills, communication and interpersonal skills, time management, organisation, and any administration skills required.
National average salary range: $55,000 to $65,000 per year.
Career opportunities: tour guides can step into higher paying careers such as a tour operations manager, travel or booking agent, or travel agent branch manager.
Pharmacy assistant
Pharmacy assistants help customers in pharmacies and sell retail goods like lotions, non-prescription medicines, cosmetics, and perfumes. You'll give advice to customers and help them choose the right products, handle prescriptions for the pharmacist, take payments, and assist with the day-to-day operations of the pharmacy. Daily responsibilities may include:
- Greeting customers
- Advising on products and non-prescription medicines
- Operating cash registers
- Managing stock
- Keeping the store tidy
Skills you’ll learn: transferable skills in customer service, product knowledge, communication, organisation, and cash handling.
National average salary range: $45,000 to $55,000 per year.
Career opportunities: pharmacy assistant is a good example of one of Australia's lowest salary jobs that has high potential to lead to a higher paying career. It could be the starting point towards a higher-paying role such as a pharmacist (on completing a degree), pharmaceutical sales person or store manager.
Retail sales assistant
Retail sales assistants work in shops or stores selling products or services. Most retail assistants have quotas, so you’d need to provide good customer service in order to meet your sales target. Your daily tasks may include:
- Tidying and opening the shop
- Processing sales transactions
- Stocking items
- Providing advice
- Assisting shoppers with purchases
- Selling items
Skills you’ll learn: customer service, communication, sales techniques, organisation, and teamwork skills.
National average salary range: $55,000 to $60,000 per year.
Career opportunities: for retail assistants, higher-paying careers include an assistant store manager, store manager, or a role in real estate or ad sales.
Receptionist
Receptionists are the first point of contact for clients and guests in any type of business or organisation. Your job is to greet visitors or callers and point them in the right direction. Your daily duties would include:
- Greeting visitors
- Answering and making calls
- Performing administrative tasks
- Potentially personal assistant duties like scheduling meetings or making appointments for executive staff
Skills you’ll learn: transferable skills in communication, organisation, customer service, and attention to detail.
National average salary range: $55,000 to $65,000 per year.
Career opportunities: starting as a receptionist, you can work your way up to higher-paying careers such as office manager or an executive assistant.
Bartender
Bartenders prepare, serve and sometimes create recipes for alcoholic beverages. They usually work in bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels, but might also work for airlines, cruise lines or casinos. You must hold an RSA (responsible service of alcohol) Certificate before you can legally serve alcohol. As a bartender, your duties will include:
- Serving customers
- Mixing drinks
- Processing payments
- Maintaining a clean and well-stocked bar area
- Learning popular drinks
- Potentially developing original drinks
Skills you’ll learn: customer service, sales, cashier, inventory, cleaning, how to make drinks.
National average salary range: $65,000 to $70,000 per year.
Career opportunities: bartenders can work their way into higher paying careers such as bar manager, F&B manager and other senior roles within a hospitality setting.
Packer
Packers are responsible for packing goods for shipment, distribution, or storage. Your day-to-day duties may include:
- Choosing and packing items
- Labelling packages and preparing them for shipment
- Loading items
- Stocktaking and replenishing
- Cleaning
- Other general warehouse duties
Skills you’ll learn: transferable skills like attention to detail, time management, communication, teamwork, and organisation.
National average salary range: $50,000 to $55,000 per year.
Career opportunities: starting from packer, you can move into higher paying jobs like warehouse supervisor/manager, forklift driver (with certifications), shift manager or quality assurance manager.
Australia’s lowest-paying jobs offer workers the opportunity to learn a wide range of transferable skills that can often provide a step up to a higher-earning career. Starting out in an entry-level job in your chosen field is a good way to build a foundation and find out if pursuing more senior positions is the right path for you. Once you’ve developed a solid skillbase you’ll be well positioned to move onto jobs with higher earning potential.
FAQs
What are the lowest paid jobs in Australia?
According to SEEK research, Australia’s lowest wage jobs include:
- Kitchen hands and waitstaff
- Retail workers
- Fruit pickers
- Cleaners
These jobs often pay at or just above the minimum wage.
What job is easy to get in Australia?
Jobs that are relatively easy to get in Australia are those with a high demand for staff. They include retail roles, hospitality positions (like waitstaff and baristas), and some entry-level office jobs (like receptionist and admin assistant).
Is 75k a good salary in Australia?
Yes, a salary of 75k is generally considered good in Australia, but it depends where you live. It's above the minimum wage of ~46k and the median salary of $65k, and allows for a relatively comfortable lifestyle outside of major cities or in low cost-of-living areas.
How much do unskilled jobs pay in Australia?
Unskilled jobs in Australia generally pay the minimum wage of $23.23 per hour or slightly above. There are some unskilled jobs that pay above this rate, but there are usually fewer positions available and higher competition for these roles.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Australia?
The salary needed to live comfortably in Australia depends on factors like your location, lifestyle and family size. Roughly 70k to 80k per year for a single person would afford a comfortable lifestyle outside of major metropolitan areas and with no debt.
Is AUD 2,000 per week enough to live on in Australia?
Yes, if you’re making AUD 2,000 per week, then your annual salary before tax would be around $104,000, which would afford a comfortable lifestyle in most parts of Australia.
Can you live off 50k a year in Australia?
Yes, it’s possible to live off 50k per year in Australia, however it’s only just above minimum wage ($46K per year), so you would need to budget carefully, especially in major cities where the cost of living is higher.
What is the lowest-paying job in Australia?
The lowest-paying jobs in Australia are by definition those that pay minimum wage. Hourly wage workers in hospitality, retail, agriculture, or manufacturing often start on minimum wage for their award.
Sources:
- SEEK, based on average annual full time and annualised hourly salaries
(excluding contract roles) from jobs listed on SEEK in the last three months. Last updated August, 2024. - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-28/whats-the-typical-income-in-australia-list-of-occupations/101330740
- https://www.upmove.com.au/post/cost-of-living-in-australia#:~:text=How%20much%20do%20you%20need,annum%20or%20%245%2C800%2B%20per%20month.
- https://www.fwc.gov.au/agreements-awards/minimum-wages-and-conditions/national-minimum-wage