What is an annualised salary?
An annualised salary is your total yearly earnings before tax, usually calculated by multiplying your weekly or fortnightly pay by the number of pay periods in a year. In Australia, the most common reference point is the full-time adult ordinary-time average published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in its Average Weekly Earnings survey. For May 2026, that figure is $2,083.70 per week, which annualises to about $108,352 – the line this site uses as the national benchmark.
This article gives a resident take-home sketch, using the average as the reference, so you can see where your own annualised salary sits.
The national full-time average annualised salary
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (seasonally adjusted) are $2,083.70 per week. Multiply by 52 weeks and you get $108,352 a year. This is the figure for "persons" – it blends men and women, all industries, and all states. Men's full-time ordinary-time average annualises to about $113,412; women's to about $100,594.
It's important to distinguish this average from the median. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025) gives a full-time median annualised salary of about $90,532 and an all-employees median of about $74,100. The average is pulled higher by high earners; the median better reflects the middle of the pack.
Take-home pay on the average annualised salary
For a resident taxpayer in 2026–27, the tax brackets are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000 Plus a 2% Medicare levy (with possible reductions for low-income earners).
On an annualised salary of $108,352, the estimated tax and Medicare levy is about $24,088, leaving roughly $84,264 after tax. This is a sketch – your actual take-home depends on tax offsets (like the low-income tax offset), deductions, and any HELP or HECS repayments. The ATO provides a more precise calculator.
How your annualised salary compares to the minimum wage
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week, annualising to about $52,255. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date. The average annualised salary of $108,352 is more than double the minimum wage, but many employees are on award rates that sit between the two.
State and territory annualised salary averages
Full-time adult ordinary-time earnings vary by state. Using the ABS May 2026 original estimates, annualised figures are:
- 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
These differences reflect industry mix, cost of living, and labour market conditions. For a deeper look, see States and territories.
Industry and occupation medians
The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey also provides median annualised salaries by industry and occupation. For example, the mining industry has a high median, while retail and hospitality are lower. Professionals and managers have the highest hourly earnings. You can explore these on the Industry medians and Job medians pages.
Putting your annualised salary on the line
This site lets you Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average, the median, and the minimum wage. You enter your yearly pay before tax, and the tool shows your weekly and hourly equivalents (based on a 38-hour week) plus the distance from the average. It's a quick way to see where you sit in the national picture.
How the figures are set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is published twice a year (May and November). The Employee Earnings and Hours survey is less frequent. Fair Work sets the national minimum wage and award rates annually. The ATO publishes tax brackets each financial year. For more on methodology, see How the figures are set.
Guides and further reading
If you want to understand more about salary negotiation, tax planning, or how awards work, the Guides section has articles written for Australian workers. The About this site page explains the mission and data sources.
A final note on annualised salary
Your annualised salary is a useful number, but it's only part of the story. Take-home pay depends on tax, superannuation (not included in these earnings figures), and any salary-sacrifice arrangements. The average is a benchmark, not a target. Whether you're above or below it, knowing where you stand helps you make informed decisions about your career and finances.