Trade Assistant Salary in Australia (2026)
SEEK's Trades Assistant page shows an average salary of $60,000 to $80,000 a year, based on pay disclosed in job ads (checked 10 October 2026). Its Mining, Resources & Energy average is $82,305 a year. Award minimums for entry roles are a floor only.
Last checked 10 October 2026. Pay changes, so check the source before you rely on a figure.
What does a trade assistant earn?
Each row is one source, shown as that source states it. We do not average or blend them, because they measure different things. SEEK says its insights are based on full-time salary ranges employers disclosed on SEEK job ads. Some disclosed salaries include superannuation and other benefits, others do not.
SEEK's role page is titled "Trades Assistant", so the figures below come from that page.
| Figure | What it measures | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 to $80,000 a year | SEEK's stated average salary range for the role "Trades Assistant" in Australia. Based on full-time salary ranges employers disclosed on SEEK job ads. Some disclosed salaries include super and other benefits, others do not. | SEEK career advice, Trades Assistant salary | 10 October 2026 |
| Median $72,500 a year | The middle point of SEEK's salary distribution for "Trades Assistant", on the same disclosed-in-ads basis. | SEEK career advice, Trades Assistant salary | 10 October 2026 |
| $40,000 to $100,000 a year | SEEK's 10th to 90th percentile spread. Most disclosed salaries fall inside it, with the lowest and highest tenth outside. | SEEK career advice, Trades Assistant salary | 10 October 2026 |
| $82,305 a year average | SEEK's average salary for "Trades Assistant" jobs in the Mining, Resources & Energy industry only. | SEEK career advice, Trades Assistant salary | 10 October 2026 |
| $27.53 to $29.67 an hourEntry level - Introductory to Level 2 - Intermediate. About $1,046.31 to $1,127.61 a week for 38 ordinary hours. | Minimum rates under the Mining Industry Award 2020, per hour, including the industry allowance. MiningReady's reading of which award levels this role usually falls under: the award does not name the role at a level. Many mines pay above the award under enterprise agreements. Indicative range here: Entry level to Level 2. | Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide, Mining Industry Award 2020 (MA000011) | 6 October 2026 |
Want to work out take-home pay? Try the salary calculator, or read the mining salaries guide.
What affects pay
Roster
No source we checked publishes a roster specific to trade assistants. Rosters vary by site and employer, so confirm it in the job ad. A parliamentary inquiry found FIFO cycles run from 9 days on and 5 off to 28 days on and 7 off, with a twelve-hour on-site day typical. The report is from 2013, so treat it as background.
Parliament of Australia, FIFO/DIDO inquiry report (2013)FIFO or residential
No source we checked gives a FIFO versus residential pay figure for this role, so we do not show one. When you compare offers, check whether the figure is a base rate or an all-in figure, and what the employer provides for flights, accommodation and meals.
Award or enterprise agreement
The Mining Industry Award 2020 sets minimums only. Under it, casual staff get a 25% loading, and afternoon or night shift is paid at 115% of ordinary hourly rate. Mines often pay above the award under enterprise agreements, but we cannot verify typical figures.
Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide, MA000011Industry
SEEK's Mining, Resources & Energy average for Trades Assistant is $82,305 a year. Its averages for the same role elsewhere include Construction $68,746, Government & Defence $68,241 and Trades & Services $62,931.
SEEK career advice, Trades Assistant salary
Tickets to check for as a trade assistant
Each employer and site sets its own requirements. Treat this as a list of what to look for in job ads, not a guarantee of what you need.
- White Card General construction induction card, often asked for on mine construction and shutdown work. Check the job ad.
- Standard 11 Generic induction for Queensland coal mines. Only needed for work on a Queensland coal mine.
- Working at Heights Training for work at height. Check whether the job ad lists it.
- Confined Space Training for entering confined spaces. Check whether the job ad lists it.
- EWP Elevating work platform training. Check whether the job ad lists it.
- Forklift Forklift licence. Check whether the job ad lists it.
- High risk work licence guide Which licence classes apply depends on the site and task. See the guide.
How to become a trade assistant
SEEK says trades assistant is often an entry-level position and formal qualifications are not usually required. Check each job ad for the tickets and site induction it asks for.
Finding trade assistant jobs
Search the big job boards for current ads, and read the roster, award or agreement and ticket requirements in each one before you apply. These are plain search links, not endorsements.
Trade Assistant salary questions answered
How much does a FIFO trade assistant make?
SEEK has no FIFO-specific figure. Its Trades Assistant page shows $60,000 to $80,000 a year overall, and a Mining, Resources & Energy average of $82,305 a year. Check whether an offer is a base rate or an all-in figure.
What does a trade assistant do in the mines?
SEEK says a trades assistant helps and supports tradespeople and assists with maintenance of worksites and equipment, commonly in industries including mining.
Is trade assistant an entry-level job?
SEEK says it is often an entry-level position and formal qualifications are not usually required. Employers may still ask for a White Card or site induction.
What is the highest paying FIFO job?
We cannot rank every FIFO job with a verified source. Among the roles on this site, SEEK's stated ranges put mining engineer highest, at $145,000 to $165,000 a year. See the salaries hub to compare.
Where to next
- FIFO trade assistant jobs What the job involves, what employers ask for, rosters seen in ads and who hires.
- Salary calculator Estimate take-home pay for your roster and classification.
- Mining salaries guide Award minimums by level, loadings and how pay is set.
- Driller Offsider salary $75,000 to $95,000 a year (SEEK career advice (Offsider)).
- Excavator Operator salary $115,000 to $135,000 a year (SEEK career advice (Excavator Operator)).
- All salaries by role Compare the roles we have sourced, each with its source and date.