Certificate IV in Business Salary Guide (2025/26 Update)
Entry-level roles such as administration officer generally start around $55,000, whilst positions like executive assistant, project administrator, and office manager fall in the $65,000–$85,000 range.
Salary outcomes vary depending on:
• Industry
• Location
• Experience
• Level of responsibility within the role
Corporate, government, and professional services sectors tend to offer higher salary ranges than retail, hospitality, or smaller private businesses.
This guide breaks down what you can realistically expect to earn with this qualification across different roles, industries, and career stages.
Certificate IV in Business Salary Guide (2025/26 Update)
Salary information for vocational qualifications can be vague or outdated. This guide gives you current, realistic figures based on Australian job market data from 2025. You'll see what entry-level roles pay, how salaries increase with experience, which industries pay more, and how location affects earnings.
These figures come from major salary databases, job advertisements, and employment surveys. They represent what employers actually pay, not aspirational figures or best-case scenarios.
Administration officers typically earn $55,000 to $65,000 annually. You're managing correspondence, maintaining records, coordinating schedules, and supporting operations. This is solid entry-level pay for work that doesn't require extensive experience.
Executive assistants earn $65,000 to $80,000, with experienced professionals reaching $85,000 or more. You're providing high-level support to senior managers, handling confidential information, and coordinating complex activities. The higher pay reflects greater responsibility and discretion required.
Office managers earn $70,000 to $85,000, depending on organisation size and sector. You're supervising operations, managing resources, and coordinating staff. This combines administrative capability with management responsibility.
Project administrators earn $60,000 to $75,000. You're supporting project delivery through documentation, scheduling, and coordination. Pay increases with project complexity and industry sector.
Customer service team leaders earn $65,000 to $80,000. You're managing teams and handling escalated issues, which commands higher pay than individual contributor roles.
Operations support officers earn $60,000 to $75,000. You're maintaining systems, producing reports, and supporting process improvements. Technical capability and systems knowledge can push salaries higher.
Business development officers earn $65,000 to $85,000, often with performance-based bonuses. You're supporting sales and growth activities, which many organisations reward with variable compensation.
To explore the roles aligned with this salary range in more detail, including typical responsibilities and career progression, see our comprehensive jobs guide.
Several factors determine where you sit within these salary ranges.
Experience matters significantly. Someone with five years in business support roles earns substantially more than someone just starting out, even in the same position. You're faster, more capable, and require less supervision.
Industry makes a big difference. Government and corporate sectors typically pay 10 to 20 percent more than retail, hospitality, or small business roles. Professional services like legal and accounting firms also pay well for capable business support staff.
Organisation size affects pay. Large organisations with formal salary structures generally pay more than small businesses. They also offer clearer progression pathways and more opportunities for advancement.
Location matters. Sydney and Melbourne salaries are typically 10 to 15 percent higher than regional areas, though cost of living is also higher. Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide sit between metropolitan and regional rates.
Additional responsibilities increase pay. If you're supervising others, managing projects, or handling specialised systems, you'll earn more than someone doing standard administrative work at the same level.
Formal qualifications help. Having the Certificate IV in Business demonstrates training and capability, which most employers value. You'll typically earn more than someone without formal qualifications doing similar work.
Understanding salary progression helps set realistic expectations.
Entry-level positions for new Certificate IV graduates start around $55,000 to $60,000. You're building experience, proving capability, and learning organisational systems. This is competitive for entry-level business roles and higher than unqualified administrative positions.
With one to three years’ experience, expect $60,000 to $70,000. You're working independently, handling more complex tasks, and requiring less supervision. Many people move into senior administrator or coordinator roles at this stage.
With three to five years’ experience, salaries reach $70,000 to $80,000. You're likely in coordinator, senior administrator, or team leader positions. You might supervise others or manage specific functions.
Beyond five years, experienced professionals in office manager, executive assistant, or operations coordinator roles earn $80,000 to $95,000 or more. You're operating with minimal supervision, making decisions, and supporting senior management effectively.
This progression assumes you're performing well, seeking opportunities, and potentially completing additional qualifications like the Diploma of Business or Certificate IV in Leadership and Management.
Different industries pay different rates for the same roles.
Government and public sector roles offer $65,000 to $85,000 for qualified business support staff. Formal salary structures, job security, and regular increments make these positions attractive. Entry requirements are often stricter, but progression is more predictable.
Corporate and professional services pay $65,000 to $90,000. Large corporations, legal firms, accounting practices, and consulting businesses value capable business support and pay accordingly. Workload can be higher, but compensation reflects this.
Healthcare pays $60,000 to $75,000 for business support roles. Hospitals, medical centres, and allied health organisations rely on administrators and coordinators. Demand is strong and growing.
Education sector roles typically pay $60,000 to $75,000. Schools, universities, and training organisations employ business support staff. Term-based work patterns appeal to some people, though this can affect total annual earnings.
Construction and trades pay $60,000 to $80,000. Project administrators and office managers in construction support complex operations. Pay reflects the demanding nature of coordinating multiple projects and contractors.
Retail and hospitality generally pay $55,000 to $65,000 for equivalent roles. These sectors have tighter margins, which affects salary levels. However, opportunities are widespread and progression can be quicker.
Geographic location significantly impacts salary expectations.
Sydney averages 10 to 15 percent higher than other capitals for business support roles. Executive assistants in Sydney corporate firms can earn $85,000 to $95,000, whilst equivalent roles in Adelaide pay $70,000 to $80,000. Cost of living is proportionally higher in Sydney.
Melbourne offers similar rates to Sydney for corporate roles but slightly lower in other sectors. Expect salaries 5 to 10 percent higher than Brisbane, Adelaide, or Perth.
Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth offer comparable salary levels to each other, typically 10 to 15 percent below Sydney. Office managers might earn $70,000 to $80,000 compared to $80,000 to $90,000 in Sydney.
Regional centres pay 10 to 20 percent less than capital cities. However, cost of living is substantially lower. A $60,000 salary in regional Victoria may offer similar or better purchasing power than $70,000 in Melbourne.
Remote and very regional areas sometimes pay premiums to attract qualified staff, particularly in mining and resource sectors. Business administrators in remote mining operations can earn $80,000 to $100,000 plus benefits.
The question of whether the Certificate IV in Business is worth it financially depends on your starting point and the alternatives you're comparing it to.
If you're currently in unqualified administrative work earning $45,000 to $50,000, the qualification typically adds $10,000 to $15,000 to your earning potential immediately. That's a strong return on investment.
If you're choosing between this qualification and university, the comparison becomes more nuanced. You'll be earning sooner with the Certificate IV, avoiding university debt, and building experience faster. Degree holders typically earn more long term, but the Certificate IV is ideal for those who want a quicker start to full-time work rather than several years of academic study.
If you're a school leaver deciding between this and other vocational pathways, business qualifications offer strong employment prospects across all industries. Their versatility makes them financially safer than highly specialised qualifications.
The qualification typically costs $2,000 to $5,000 at private RTOs, or less at TAFE. With lower-cost options such as traineeships or fee-free programs, many people complete it with minimal or no upfront costs. A qualification costing $3,000 that adds $10,000 to your annual earning capacity effectively pays for itself within months.
Over a full career, the qualification opens pathways to roles paying $80,000 to $95,000+. That's a significant improvement over unqualified entry-level work.
Several strategies can help you move toward the upper end of the salary ranges associated with this qualification.
Gain diverse experience across different business functions. People who've worked in administration, operations, customer service, and coordination roles become more valuable and command higher pay.
Develop strong digital capabilities. Proficiency in Excel, databases, project management tools, and business systems increases your employability and salary potential.
Take on additional responsibilities. Volunteering for projects, assisting with system upgrades, or coordinating activities demonstrates capability — often leading to promotions and pay rises.
Complete additional qualifications. The Diploma of Business or Certificate IV in Leadership and Management builds on the Certificate IV and opens doors to higher-paying positions.
Move strategically between organisations. Internal pay rises often lag behind market rates. Changing employers can lead to sizeable salary increases, especially when moving into larger organisations or better-paying sectors.
Consider contracting or temporary roles. Contractors typically earn 20 to 30 percent more than permanent employees in similar positions. This approach suits some people and can accelerate growth.
Network within your industry. Many higher-paid roles are filled through professional connections rather than public job advertisements.
Understanding how the Certificate IV in Business compares with other qualifications helps put these salary figures into context.
Certificate III in Business leads to lower-paid roles, typically $45,000 to $55,000. It's a starting point rather than a long-term goal. Most graduates progress to Certificate IV within a few years.
Diploma of Business graduates earn similar starting salaries to Certificate IV holders but progress faster into management roles paying $90,000 to $110,000. If you're planning for long-term advancement, the Diploma is a strong option.
Business or commerce degree holders generally start around $60,000 to $70,000, progressing to roles paying $90,000 to $120,000+. The trade-off is several years of study and possible student debt.
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management leads to supervisor and team leader roles paying $75,000 to $100,000. It pairs well with the Certificate IV in Business for those pursuing leadership pathways.
Trade qualifications in plumbing or electrical work can lead to similar or higher earnings but require apprenticeships and hands-on work. Business qualifications suit people who prefer office-based roles, operations, or administrative work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the average starting salary with a Certificate IV in Business?
Most graduates start between $55,000 and $60,000 in roles such as administration officer or operations support. With one to two years of experience, salaries increase to $60,000 to $65,000.
Do traineeships pay less?
Yes, trainees start on $45,000 to $50,000 while studying, but once qualified, they move into roles paying $55,000 to $65,000. The advantage is earning while completing the qualification.
Which roles pay the most?
Higher-paying roles include executive assistants, office managers in large organisations, and business development officers with performance bonuses—typically earning $80,000 to $95,000 with experience.
Does location really make that much difference?
Yes. A role paying $75,000 in Sydney may pay $60,000 in regional Queensland. Regional areas, however, offer lower living costs, balancing the difference.
Will I earn more than someone without the qualification?
Typically yes — by $5,000 to $15,000 annually. Employers consistently prefer formally qualified staff, especially in government and corporate roles.
How quickly do salaries increase?
Most graduates see increases of $5,000 to $10,000 every one to two years during the first five years, either through internal progression or by moving to higher-paying employers.
Are bonuses common?
They are uncommon in general administrative roles but more frequent in business development and sales support positions, where bonuses can add 10% to 20% to base salary.
Conclusion
The Certificate IV in Business leads to roles paying $55,000 to $75,000 for most graduates, with experienced professionals earning $80,000 to $95,000. The qualification offers strong return on investment and provides access to stable, versatile career pathways across all Australian industries.
For detailed information on the qualification structure, job outcomes, and enrolment options, visit the official course page below.