General information only — not legal advice. First speak with your employer, then if unsuccessful contact Fair Work or an employment lawyer.
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Personal Trainer Pay Rates Australia 2025–26

Last updated: April 2026 · Rates effective 1 July 2025 · MA000094

Personal training is one of the most affected occupations in Australia for sham contracting. Many PTs are told they're “independent contractors” and handed an ABN, when in reality they work set hours at a single gym, wear the gym's uniform, use the gym's equipment, and follow the gym's rules. That's not a contractor. That's an employee — and it means the Fitness Industry Award applies.

If a gym controls when, where, and how you work — you're an employee, no matter what the contract says.

For the full Fitness Industry Award overview, see the Fitness Award pay guide.

Sham contracting: the biggest issue for PTs

Signs you're a sham contractor

  • The gym sets your schedule or roster
  • You must wear the gym's uniform or branded clothing
  • You use the gym's equipment exclusively
  • The gym sets or approves the price of your sessions
  • You can't send a replacement if you're unavailable
  • You work predominantly or exclusively for one gym
  • You were told to get an ABN as a condition of the job

Signs you're a genuine contractor

  • You set your own hours and choose which clients to take
  • You provide your own equipment
  • You set your own prices
  • You can (and do) work at multiple locations
  • You can delegate work to someone else
  • You bear your own financial risk (insurance, marketing, etc.)

Most PTs in commercial gyms fall on the “employee” side of this test. If even a few of the sham contractor signs apply to you, the arrangement is likely unlawful.

Real example

Scenario: PT at a chain gym. Works 30 hours/week including 6am split shifts. Classified as a “contractor” and paid $35/hr with no super, no leave, no penalties. Wears the gym's shirt. Uses the gym's equipment. Can't work at competing gyms.

If correctly classified as an employee: Entitled to award minimum rates, weekend penalties, split shift allowances, 12% super, paid annual and sick leave, overtime for hours beyond 38/week.

Missing super alone: $35 × 30hrs × 12% = $126/week = $6,552/year.

Missing leave: 4 weeks annual leave + 10 days personal leave = ~$7,000/year in leave entitlements.

Total estimated loss from sham contracting: $15,000–$20,000+ per year.

Personal trainer pay rates — Fitness Award 2025–26

If you are an employee (not a genuine independent contractor), your minimum pay rate is determined by your classification level under the Fitness Industry Award. Personal trainers typically fall at Level 2 or Level 3, depending on their qualifications and responsibilities.

  • Level 2: Qualified PT delivering sessions under general supervision
  • Level 3: Experienced PT with program design responsibilities or supervising other staff

On top of the base rate, you're entitled to casual loading (if casual), weekend penalties, public holiday rates, overtime, and split shift allowances. Use the calculator below to see your exact entitlement.

Common underpayments for personal trainers

  • Sham contracting: Being called a contractor when you're an employee — losing all award entitlements
  • Flat per-session rates: Paid per session without accounting for non-client time (admin, cleaning, setup)
  • No split shift allowance: Working 6am clients and 6pm clients with nothing for the broken shift
  • Weekend penalties missing: Same rate on Saturday and Sunday as weekdays
  • No super: Especially common under sham contracting arrangements

Frequently asked questions

I'm called a "contractor" at my gym — am I actually an employee?

If the gym controls your schedule, requires you to wear their uniform, provides the equipment and space, sets the prices for your sessions, and determines how you deliver your services — you are likely an employee regardless of what your contract says. The Fair Work Act looks at the real nature of the relationship, not the label. Sham contracting is a serious contravention with significant penalties for the employer.

What do I lose as a sham contractor vs a real employee?

As a sham contractor, you miss out on: minimum award rates, penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, overtime pay, paid annual leave, paid sick leave, superannuation, workers' compensation insurance, unfair dismissal protections, and payslips. The cost over a year is typically $10,000–$20,000+ in lost entitlements.

Can I claim back entitlements if I was a sham contractor?

Yes. If you were misclassified as a contractor when you were actually an employee, you can recover all entitlements you should have received — including award rates, penalties, leave, and super — going back up to 6 years. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 to start the process.

Don't guess — if you're an employee, check exactly what you should be earning.

Based on official pay rates from the Fair Work Commission (MA000094).

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Rates sourced from the Fair Work Commission pay guide for the Fitness Industry Award 2020 (MA000094), effective 1 July 2025. General information only — not legal advice. Verify at fairwork.gov.au.