Your Architect Salary: From Gross Award Rate to Take-Home Pay

Your Architect Salary: Gross, Package, and Take-Home

If you’re an architect or a graduate of architecture, you’ve probably seen job ads quoting a figure like “$80,000 plus super” and wondered what actually lands in your bank account. The difference between a gross salary, a total package, and take-home pay is a common source of confusion. This guide uses the official Architects Award 2020 rates and the 2026–27 tax tables to show you what your architect salary really means after tax and the Medicare levy.

The Award Rates for Architects (2026–27)

The minimum pay for architects is set by the Architects Award 2020 [MA000079]. The rates from 1 July 2026 are published by the and the . Key annual figures:

• Level 1 – Graduate of Architecture (entry): $68,191
• Level 1 – 1st pay point: $71,798
• Level 1 – 2nd pay point: $75,401
• Level 2(a) – Experienced Graduate of Architecture: $78,838
• Level 2(b) – Registered Architect (entry): $78,838
• Level 2(b) – 1st pay point: $81,276
• Level 2(b) – 2nd pay point: $83,716

Students of architecture 21 years and over earn at least $26.44 per hour (the national minimum wage). These are the gross amounts before any deductions.

What Is Take-Home Pay?

Take-home pay is your gross salary minus income tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, the tax rates are:

• Up to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce tax for incomes up to $66,667, but most full-time architects earn above that, so LITO phases out.

Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, unless you qualify for a reduction using the single thresholds ($28,011 and $35,013). Full-time salaries pay the full 2%.

Example: Level 2(b) Registered Architect – 1st Pay Point ($81,276)

• Gross annual salary: $81,276
• Income tax (using 2026–27 brackets): approximately $14,903
• Medicare levy (2%): $1,626
• Total deductions: $16,529
• Annual take-home: $64,747
• Weekly take-home: $1,245
• Fortnightly take-home: $2,490

This is the amount that reaches your bank account. Super is not deducted; your employer pays 12% on top, so the total package is $91,029.

Common Mix-Ups

• Gross salary vs package: A job ad saying “$80,000 + super” means the gross salary is $80,000. The package including super is $89,600. Your take-home is based on $80,000.
• Salary vs hourly rate: Award rates are often quoted per hour. Multiply by 38 hours and 52 weeks to get annual. For example, $39.77/hr (Level 2(a)) gives $78,838 per year.
• Super is not part of take-home: Super goes into your retirement fund, not your bank account. It is an extra cost to your employer.

Use Our Tools

To calculate your own take-home, try our Take-home pay tool. For more on tax and Medicare, see Tax and Medicare. You can also check the Minimum wage page for the national floor.

Final Note

This is an estimate based on the 2026–27 tax year and the Architects Award. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary packaging, and payroll rounding. Always consult a tax professional or use the ATO’s online calculator for your exact situation. The figures here are not a tax assessment.