Graduate salaries and part-time/casual rates of pay
Graduate salaries in Australia
The GradsOnline website provides average starting salaries for graduates. You can search by discipline and course level. The salary rates are averages and do not take into account the level of responsibility or what any competitors offer.
In Australia in 2007, the median annual starting salary for new bachelor degree graduates aged less than 25 and in their first full-time employment was A$43,000. Males earned a starting salary of A$45,000 and females earned A$42,000.
(Source: GradFiles, December 2007, Graduate Careers Australia)
International salaries / wages
For students who are considering international employment, please note that it is now a requirement for employers to put in a monetary figure (in local currency or Australian dollars) in their job listings on Careers Online.
These figures are often indicative of the salary being offered, and may still be subject to negotiation, Salary levels often vary considerably between employers, countries and regions. Some employers are protective of the salaries and rates of pay and do not want their competitors to know what they pay their staff. It is a good idea to treat this information confidentially.
Sample pay rates for part-time / casual work (in Australia)
The following pay rates should be used as a guide only.
N.B. Employers lodging vacancies on Careers Online must comply with our terms and conditions for advertising and should offer an hourly rate of pay that is at least award wage level. Check with the Workplace Infoline on 1300 363 264 if you have a query about a rate of pay.
Hospitality - Table Waiting, Kitchen Hand, Bar Person
Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants Industry Sector – Victoria 1997, Introductory Level, less than 3 months experience
| Adult rate | 19 years | 18 years | 17 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| part-time | $12.75 | $10.84 | $8.93 | $7.65 |
| casual | $15.94 | $13.55 | $11.16 | $9.56 |
Retail Assistant, Salesperson, Console Operator
Retail Trade Industry Sector – Minimum Wage Order, Level 6
| Adult rate | 20 years | 19 years | 18 years | 17 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| part-time | $14.30 | $13.44 | $11.94 | $10.45 | $8.95 |
| casual | $17.88 | $16.80 | $14.93 | $13.06 | $11.19 |
Part-time vs Casual
As a general rule the more regular and consistent the work is, the more likely that it’s part-time. Casual work is more short-term, on-call, temporary or seasonal in nature. You will be entitled to holiday pay and sick leave if you’re part-time but not if you’re casual – this is why casual rates of pay are usually 10-25% higher than part-time rates.
Recommended minimum rates of pay for domestic & household jobs
The table below presents the recommended minimum hourly rates of pay for domestic/ household jobs (work performed in the employer's own home). These rates have been recommended by the Student Employment Officers' Association of Victoria.
| Type of job | Hourly rate of pay |
|---|---|
| CHILDCARE | |
| general child care and babysitting | $12 - $15 per hour |
| picking up/dropping off (using own car) | $0.60 per km |
| DOMESTIC | |
| house cleaning | $14 - $16 per hour |
| light housework plus childcare | $16 per hour |
| HOUSE & GARDEN | |
| general gardening (including mowing) | $16 per hour |
| supplying own mower and equipment | $20 per hour |
| landscaping / labouring / decorating / painting | $17 per hour |
| PRIVATE PARTY HELP (supplying own clothing) | |
| standard | $15 - $17 per hour |
| public holidays | $22 - $25 per hour |
| TUTORING | |
| Primary and Secondary up to Year 10 (tutored by an undergraduate) | $22 per hour |
| VCE - Year 11 and Year 12 (tutored by an undergraduate) | $25 per hour |
| Tertiary (tutored by an undergraduate) | $30 per hour |
| *postgraduates may charge an extra $5 per hour | $neg |
| **tutoring 2 studenrs together may be charged at time and a half | $neg |
| ***tutoring 3 students together may be charged at double time | $neg |
| PC SUPPORT | |
| basic | $25 per hour |
| intermediate | $30 per hour |
| advanced | $40 per hour |
| WORD PROCESSING | |
| A4 double spaced page | From $3.00 per page |
| A4 single spaced page | From $4.00 per page |
| WEB PROGRAMMING | |
| Maintenance | $25 per hour |
| Standard Programming | $30 per hour |
| Web Design | $negotiable |
| INTERPRETING / TRANSLATING | |
| non technical | $25 |
| technical data quoted independently | negotiable |
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Students are automatically covered by workplace injury insurance in private households if the person or people employing them do not expect to pay more than $7,500 per year in wages. Private individuals paying more than this amount in wages need to take out a workplace injury insurance policy. For further information, contact WorkCover on 03 9641 1444 or toll free outside the metropolitan area 1800 136 089. Web: www.workcover.vic.gov.au