Where accounting salaries sit against the national line
If you work in accounting in Australia, your pay is likely to be above the typical full-time worker but slightly below the national full-time average. The most authoritative source for occupation-specific pay is the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, which Jobs and Skills Australia uses to publish median weekly earnings for accountants. That figure is $2,003 per week – about $104,156 a year before tax.
For context, the national full-time adult ordinary-time average (the 'line' on this site) is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year, from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. That means the typical accountant earns about 4% less than the average across all full-time workers. But the typical accountant earns more than the national full-time median of about $90,532 a year and well above the all-employees median of about $74,100 a year.
What pushes accounting pay above or below the average?
Several factors can move an individual accountant's salary above or below the national full-time average. Understanding these can help you gauge where your own pay sits on the line.
Location matters
State and territory averages vary significantly. The highest full-time average ordinary-time earnings are in the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090 a year) and Western Australia ($115,825). Accountants in those places are more likely to earn above the national average. At the other end, Tasmania ($96,008) and South Australia ($102,450) have lower averages, so accounting salaries there may sit below the line. See the States and territories page for the full breakdown.
Experience and seniority
The median figure of $2,003 per week covers all full-time accountants, including graduates and partners. Early-career accountants often earn below the national average, while those with several years' experience or who move into management roles can exceed it. Senior roles such as financial controller or CFO can push pay well above $2,083.70 per week.
Sector: public vs private
The public sector pays a higher average full-time ordinary-time earnings ($2,263.10 per week) than the private sector ($2,034.10). Accountants working in government or public institutions may therefore be more likely to sit above the national average. Private-sector accountants, especially in smaller firms, may earn less.
Gender
A persistent gender pay gap exists across all occupations. For full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, men average $2,181.50 per week ($113,438 a year) while women average $1,934.50 per week ($100,594 a year). The accounting profession has a female share of 54%, so many women in accounting earn below the national average, while men are more likely to earn above it.
Qualifications and specialisation
Chartered accountants, those with postgraduate qualifications, or specialists in high-demand areas like tax, forensic accounting, or corporate finance often command higher pay. General ledger or accounts payable roles may sit closer to the all-employees median.
How the figures are set
The national average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which measures mean earnings for full-time adults. The accounting median comes from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which provides a more representative figure for a specific occupation by excluding managers and part-time workers. For more on methodology, see How the figures are set.
What about the minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week ($52,255 a year). Accounting salaries are well above this floor. However, some award-covered roles in accounting (such as clerical or bookkeeping) may be covered by the Clerks Award, which increased by 4.75% in July 2026. Even so, professional accountants typically earn far more than award rates.
Putting your own salary on the line
If you want to see how your accounting salary compares, you can Place a salary on the line and see the distance from the national full-time average. The tool uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings figure and shows your weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week.
Summary
Accounting salaries in Australia are healthy – above the typical full-time worker but slightly below the national full-time average. Location, experience, sector, and gender all play a role in whether an individual's pay sits above or below the line. The median of $2,003 per week is a useful benchmark, but your own circumstances will determine where you land.