Fitter and Turner Salary: Award Rates, Median Pay, and Take-Home After Tax

Fitter and Turner Salary: What You Take Home

If you're a fitter and turner in Australia, your pay can vary widely depending on whether you're on the award minimum or covered by an enterprise agreement. This guide breaks down the fitter and turner salary from the legal minimum to the median market rate, and shows how tax, the Medicare levy, and super affect what lands in your bank account each fortnight.

Award Minimum Rates

Under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, a trade-qualified fitter and turner (Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade) is classified as an Engineering Tradesperson (Mechanical) Level I at wage group C10. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate is $29.45, which works out to $1,119.10 per week (38 hours) and $58,193 per year before tax. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual hourly rate to $36.81.

These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and are updated annually after the wage review. You can check the latest award pay data at .

Median Earnings: What Fitters and Turners Actually Earn

While the award sets the floor, many fitters and turners earn significantly more. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time earnings for Metal Fitters and Machinists (ANZSCO 3232) is $2,606 per week (about $135,512 per year) based on ABS data from May 2025. This figure includes overtime, shift penalties, and enterprise agreement pay. The same source reports that full-time workers in this occupation average 44 hours per week, so the median reflects a mix of ordinary time and additional hours.

For context, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) – the award rate for fitters and turners is already above that, and the median is more than double the minimum.

How Tax and Medicare Change Your Fortnight

Your take-home pay depends on the tax brackets and the Medicare levy. For the 2026-27 tax year, the rates are:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

You also pay the Medicare levy of 2% of your taxable income. The latest single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013 – if your income is above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. Most full-time fitters and turners will be above this threshold.

Example: Award Minimum Take-Home

For a C10 fitter and turner earning $58,193:

• Tax: approximately $7,215 (after the low-income tax offset of up to $700)
• Medicare levy: $1,164 (2% of $58,193)
• Take-home: $49,178 per year, or $946 per week

That's about $1,892 per fortnight after tax and Medicare. Super is not deducted from this – it's paid on top.

Example: Median Earner Take-Home

For a fitter and turner earning the median of $135,512:

• Tax: approximately $31,020 + 30c on the amount over $135,000 (so $31,020 + $153.60 = $31,173.60)
• Medicare levy: $2,710 (2% of $135,512)
• Take-home: $101,628 per year, or $1,954 per week

That's about $3,908 per fortnight. Note that this earner is just over the $135,000 threshold, so the marginal rate on additional income jumps to 37c plus 2% Medicare.

Super: Paid on Top

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For the award minimum salary, that's an extra $6,983 per year into your super fund. For the median earner, it's $16,261. Super does not reduce your take-home pay – it's an employer contribution on top of your salary.

What Changes Your Fortnight

Several factors can shift your take-home pay:

• Overtime and penalties: Under the award, overtime is paid at 150% for the first 3 hours and 200% thereafter. Saturday ordinary hours (if agreed) are 150%, Sunday 200%, public holidays 250%. Casuals get these percentages on top of their loaded rate.
• Shift work: Afternoon or night shift attracts a 15% loading, permanent night shift 30%.
• Enterprise agreements: Many fitters and turners in mining or heavy industry earn well above the award through EBA rates.
• Tax offsets: The low-income tax offset (LITO) can reduce tax for incomes up to $66,667. For the award minimum, LITO is $700; for the median, it phases out completely.

Summary

The fitter and turner salary ranges from the award minimum of $58,193 to a median of $135,512 per year. Your take-home pay depends on your actual earnings, tax brackets, and Medicare. Use the Take-home pay guide to calculate your own figures, and check Tax and Medicare for the latest thresholds. Remember, super is extra – it's not taken from your pay but added by your employer.

For the most accurate figures, always refer to your payslip and the Fair Work Commission's award database. The figures here are estimates only and not a tax assessment.