Accountant salary Melbourne: Where does it sit on the line?
If you're an accountant in Melbourne, your salary is likely shaped by two forces: the state you work in and the award or market rate for your role. The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That's the line this site uses. But where do Melbourne accountants fall?
The Victorian average and the national line
Victoria's full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,041.10, or about $106,137 a year. That's about $2,200 below the national average. So if you're an accountant in Melbourne, the state average suggests you might be slightly below the national line—but that's an average across all full-time workers in Victoria, not just accountants. Accountants tend to earn more than the state average because the profession is skilled and often requires tertiary qualifications.
National accountant medians
The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) gives a median full-time weekly earnings for accountants of $2,003, or about $104,156 a year. That's below the national full-time average of $108,352. But remember: the median is the midpoint—half of full-time accountants earn less, half earn more. The average for accountants (if published) would likely be higher because of a long tail of senior roles. The median hourly earnings for accountants is $53, compared to $47 for all occupations.
How awards and the minimum wage set a floor
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week on 38 hours (about $52,255 a year). That's far below what most accountants earn. However, many accountants are covered by the Professional Employees Award or the Clerks—Private Sector Award. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database (updated 1 October 2026) shows minimum rates for classifications under these awards. For example, a Level 1 accountant under the Professional Employees Award might have a minimum weekly rate around $1,200–$1,300, but most accountants are classified at higher levels or are award-free. The 2026 Annual Wage Review increased award minimums by 4.75%, but that still leaves them well below market rates for qualified accountants.
Why state and award matter
Your salary as an accountant in Melbourne can move off the national line for two main reasons. First, Victoria's economy and cost of living differ from the national average. The state's full-time average is lower than New South Wales ($2,108.80) and the Australian Capital Territory ($2,290.20), but higher than Tasmania ($1,846.30). Second, the award or enterprise agreement you're under can set a minimum that is above the national minimum wage but still below what the market pays. Most accountants in Melbourne are likely paid above award, so the award is a safety net rather than a determinant.
How to use this site
You can Place a salary on the line to see how your own pay compares to the national full-time average. Or explore States and territories to see how Victoria stacks up. For more on how medians and averages differ, see Job medians.
The bottom line
There is no single published figure for an accountant salary in Melbourne. The best reference points are the Victorian full-time average ($106,137) and the national accountant median ($104,156). Your actual pay will depend on experience, employer size, and whether you work in public practice, industry, or government. Use the national line as a benchmark, but remember that state and award factors can shift it.