Your flight attendant salary: what reaches your bank account after tax

Understanding your flight attendant salary

If you are a flight attendant in Australia, your pay is likely covered by the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020. This award sets minimum rates for cabin crew members, supervisors, and managers. Your actual flight attendant salary will depend on your airline, experience, and the type of flying you do (domestic, regional, or international). This guide shows you how to work out what lands in your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy.

Minimum award rates

Under the award, a full-time cabin crew member must be paid at least $1,097.40 per week or $28.88 per hour. These rates are the legal floor – many airlines pay above them. For comparison, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The award also defines full-time as between 1,716 and 1,872 rostered hours per year, which is roughly 33–36 hours per week on average.

Flying allowance and other payments

On top of the base rate, you receive a flying allowance of $18.40 per block hour (the time you are actually operating as a crew member on a flight). The award gives an example: if you average 90 block hours per month, you earn an extra $1,656 per month ($19,872 per year). Part of this allowance ($6.88 per hour) is treated as a daily travel allowance for meals and incidentals by the ATO.

Other allowances may apply if you are a trainer, work on regional or international routes, or perform specific duties. Check the award’s schedules for details.

Calculating your take-home pay

To estimate your take-home pay, start with your gross annual income. For a full-time cabin crew member at the minimum weekly rate:

• Base salary: $1,097.40 × 52 weeks = $57,065
• Flying allowance (90 block hours/month): $18.40 × 90 × 12 = $19,872
• Total gross: $76,937

Now apply the 2026–27 tax rates for a resident:

• Tax on first $18,200: $0
• Tax on $18,201–$45,000: 15c per $1 = $4,020
• Tax on $45,001–$76,937: 30c per $1 = $9,581
• Total tax: $13,601
• Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): $0 (income above $66,667)
• Medicare levy: 2% of $76,937 = $1,539
• Total deductions: $15,140
• Estimated take-home: $61,797 per year (about $1,188 per week or $2,377 per fortnight)

This is an illustrative example. Your actual pay may differ due to overtime, penalty rates, or above-award agreements. The Take-home pay guide explains the calculation in more detail.

Tax and Medicare considerations

Your employer will withhold tax from each pay using the ATO’s tax tables. The Medicare levy is included in that withholding. For 2026–27, the single-person thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your taxable income exceeds $35,013, you pay the full 2% levy. The Tax and Medicare page has the full rate schedule.

Superannuation

From 1 July 2026, your employer must contribute 12% super on top of your ordinary time earnings (up to $270,830 per year). This is not deducted from your pay – it goes directly into your super fund. When you see a job ad that says “$80,000 plus super”, the $80,000 is your salary before super, and the 12% is extra.

Deductions you can claim

As a flight attendant, you can claim work-related deductions for items such as:

• Uniforms and protective clothing
• Travel expenses not reimbursed by the flying allowance
• Union fees and professional memberships
• Self-education related to your role

The ATO provides a detailed guide on the Guides section of the site.

Remember to keep receipts and a logbook if needed.