What is annual base salary?
Annual base salary is the fixed amount you earn per year before taxes, bonuses, commissions, or overtime. In Australia, it is typically quoted as a yearly figure based on a 38-hour week. This site uses the national full-time adult ordinary-time average as the line against which you can compare your own annual base salary.
The national line
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 reports a national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52, that gives an annual base salary of about $108,352. This is the figure the site draws as the line. If your annual base salary is above this, you are earning more than the typical full-time worker; if below, you are earning less.
It is important to note that this is an average, not a median. The full-time median from the ABS Employee Earnings for August 2025 is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The average is pulled higher by higher earners, so many full-time workers earn below the average line.
How state differences affect your annual base salary
Your annual base salary can vary significantly depending on which state or territory you work in. The on-site notes provide state full-time averages based on the same ABS data:
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
If you work in Western Australia or the ACT, your annual base salary is likely to be above the national line. In Tasmania, it is likely to be below. These differences reflect local industry mix, cost of living, and labour demand. You can Place a salary on the line to see how your annual base salary compares to the national and state averages.
State averages are not the whole story
Even within a state, your annual base salary can be higher or lower depending on your occupation, industry, and the specific award or enterprise agreement that covers you. The state averages are just that—averages across all full-time workers in that state.
How awards and the minimum wage affect annual base salary
Australia’s system of awards and the national minimum wage set a floor for annual base salary. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, which annualises to about $52,255 on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date.
If you are covered by an award, your annual base salary cannot be less than the award rate for your classification. Many awards set rates above the national minimum wage. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. This means that for many workers, the minimum wage is not the relevant floor—their award or agreement is.
The gap between the minimum and the average
The national minimum wage annual base salary of about $52,255 is roughly half the national full-time average of $108,352. This large gap shows that the average is driven by higher-paid roles. If your annual base salary is near the minimum, you are well below the line. If it is near the average, you are in the middle of the full-time distribution.
Using the site to compare your annual base salary
You can use this site to see where your annual base salary sits against the national line. The tool accepts a yearly salary before tax and shows the equivalent weekly and hourly amounts on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the full-time average. It does not ask for a login or require you to search an award. Simply enter your annual base salary and see the comparison.
For a broader view, you can explore States and territories to see how your location compares, or Job medians and Industry medians to see typical pay in your field. The Guides section explains how to interpret the figures, and How the figures are set provides details on the sources.
Important distinctions
- The national full-time average is from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
- Medians are from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025.
- The minimum wage is from Fair Work, effective 1 July 2026.
- Tax rates shown are for 2026–27: nil up to $18,200, then 15%, 30%, 37%, and 45% plus the 2% Medicare levy.
These figures are updated only when the ABS or Fair Work releases new data. Average Weekly Earnings is published twice a year, for May and November. The site does not invent quarterly updates.
Why your annual base salary may not match the line
Even if you work full-time, your annual base salary may differ from the national average for several reasons:
- State: As shown, state averages vary by up to $23,000.
- Occupation: Some occupations pay well above the average, others below.
- Industry: Mining and professional services tend to pay more; retail and hospitality pay less.
- Award or agreement: The specific award or enterprise agreement sets minimum rates that may be above or below the average.
- Experience and seniority: The average includes all full-time workers, from entry-level to executives.
If your annual base salary is below the line, it does not necessarily mean you are underpaid—it may simply reflect your industry or location. The line is a benchmark, not a target.
Conclusion
Annual base salary is a straightforward concept, but where it sits against the national full-time average depends on many factors. Use the site’s tools to see your position, and remember that the average is just one point of reference. For a more complete picture, look at medians, state averages, and the minimum wage.