How do the states rank for property pay?
Our modelled figures put the states in the same order in every property field we track. Western Australia is first, the ACT second, the Northern Territory third and NSW fourth. Queensland and Victoria are close together in the middle, then South Australia, with Tasmania last. A residential property manager is modelled at $88,400 in WA, $88,000 in the ACT, $83,000 in the NT and $81,200 in NSW. Queensland comes in at $79,900, Victoria $79,600, South Australia $76,200 and Tasmania $71,400.
Facilities management and valuation follow the same pattern, just at higher pay. A facilities manager is modelled at $124,200 in WA and $100,300 in Tasmania, a gap of $23,900. A valuer is modelled at $161,200 in WA and $130,200 in Tasmania, a gap of $31,000. The ACT is within $700 of WA in all three fields, so in practice the top two are level. Strata, commercial management, leasing and sales follow the property manager figures.
Why does pay differ between states?
The state gaps follow the wider job market. In the ABS May 2025 survey, average weekly total cash earnings for all employees were highest in the ACT ($1,820.50) and the NT ($1,817.80), then WA ($1,710.40). Tasmania ($1,389.00) and South Australia ($1,437.80) were lowest. Property employers compete with every other industry in their state for staff, so local wage levels set what agencies, strata firms and building owners have to offer.
Two things explain most of the top end. Mining is Australia's highest paid industry, with full-time employees averaging $3,174.50 a week in May 2025, and WA's economy leans heavily on it. That pushes up wages for trades, contractors and office staff, which lifts facilities and property pay too. In the ACT the driver is government. Public sector employees averaged $1,965.60 a week, against $1,532.80 in the private sector.
Rent and price levels matter as well. Management fees are usually a percentage of rent, so an office in a high-rent market earns more per property and can pay more per head. Sales commission works the same way on sale prices.
Does the award pay more in some states?
No. The Real Estate Industry Award 2020 is a national award covering real estate employers across Australia, so its minimums are the same in Perth and Hobart. From 1 July 2026, a full-time Level 2 representative must be paid at least $1,119.10 a week, or $58,193 a year, for 38 ordinary hours. A Level 1 associate in their first year gets at least $1,010.60 a week. The whole gap between states comes from above-award salaries, bonuses and commission.
Is it worth moving interstate for higher pay?
Weigh the gap against what the move costs you. Against the national figures, WA pays a residential property manager about $7,700 more than $80,700 and a valuer about $13,900 more than $147,300. Moving from Tasmania to WA lifts the modelled property manager figure by $17,000. Before you go, price rent in the new city, confirm your licence or registration will transfer, and ask how the job is paid. A higher base with no bonus can leave you behind a lower base with strong incentives.
Pay
AUD a year, before tax.
What you need
- Award minimum applies nationallyThe Real Estate Industry Award 2020 sets the same minimum rates in every state. From 1 July 2026, a Level 2 representative earns at least $29.45 an hour.
- Commission-only conditionsUnder clause 16.7, sales and commercial leasing staff at Level 2 or above can agree in writing to commission-only pay. To qualify, they must have earned at least 125% of their classification rate over 12 consecutive months in the previous three years.
- Junior ratesThe award pays juniors a share of the adult rate: 60% under 19, 70% at 19 and 80% at 20. The full rate applies from 21.
State by state
| Western Australia | Highest in all three fields: property manager $88,400, facilities manager $124,200, valuer $161,200 (modelled). |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | A close second: property manager $88,000, facilities manager $123,700, valuer $160,500 (modelled). |
| Northern Territory | Third: property manager $83,000, facilities manager $116,700, valuer $151,400 (modelled). |
| New South Wales | Fourth: property manager $81,200, facilities manager $114,300, valuer $148,200 (modelled). |
| Queensland | Property manager $79,900, facilities manager $112,300, valuer $145,700 (modelled). |
| Victoria | Property manager $79,600, facilities manager $111,900, valuer $145,200 (modelled). |
| South Australia | Property manager $76,200, facilities manager $107,100, valuer $139,000 (modelled). |
| Tasmania | Lowest in all three fields: property manager $71,400, facilities manager $100,300, valuer $130,200 (modelled). |
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Questions people ask
Which state pays property managers the most?
Western Australia, at a modelled $88,400 a year for a residential property manager. The ACT is almost level at $88,000. The national figure is $80,700.
Which state pays the least for property jobs?
Tasmania is lowest in every field we track. Property managers are modelled at $71,400, facilities managers at $100,300 and valuers at $130,200. South Australia is second lowest.
Are these state salary figures official?
No. They are modelled from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025 and moved to 2026 with a wage index. The only official pay figures here are the award minimums set by the Fair Work Commission.
Does NSW pay more than WA for property work?
No, not on our modelled figures. A NSW property manager is modelled at $81,200 against $88,400 in WA, and a NSW valuer at $148,200 against $161,200. NSW ranks fourth, behind WA, the ACT and the NT.
Is the gap between states bigger in higher paid roles?
In dollars, yes. The gap between WA and Tasmania is $17,000 for property managers and $31,000 for valuers. In percentage terms it is about the same, at roughly 24%.
Do commission-only rules change from state to state?
No. Clause 16.7 of the national award applies everywhere. Staff at Level 2 or above in sales or commercial leasing can agree in writing to commission-only pay if they have recently earned at least 125% of their classification rate.
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Average weekly earnings surpass $2,000 for first time
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Real Estate Industry Award 2020 [MA000106]
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Pay Guide, Real Estate Industry Award, effective 1 July 2026
