Where astrophysicist pay sits against the Australian full-time average
If you are looking for a precise 'astrophysicist salary' figure from official Australian sources, the short answer is that no separate statistic is published. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia group astrophysicists under the occupation 'Physicists (including Astronomers)'. For that group, the median weekly earnings are not available because the sample size is too small to produce a reliable estimate. This means we cannot give you a single number that represents typical astrophysicist pay. However, we can place the role in context against national benchmarks.
National full-time average: the line on this site
This site uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 as its reference line. The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70, which works out to $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This is the average for all full-time adults, not a median. It is the figure you see on the line when you Place a salary on the line.
For comparison, the full-time median weekly earnings (from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) are $1,887 per week, or about $98,124 per year. The all-employees median (including part-time) is $1,436 per week ($74,672 per year). These medians are lower than the average because high earners pull the average up.
What we know about physicists and astronomers
The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Physicists (including Astronomers) provides some context even without a median earnings figure. The occupation employs about 1,500 people nationally, with a median age of 41. About 87% work full-time, and average full-time hours are 41 per week. The female share is 26%, well below the all-occupations average of 49%.
While the median earnings are not published, the ABS does report average weekly total cash earnings for the broad occupation group 'Professionals' as $2,049.60 (about $106,579 per year) in May 2025. That is slightly below the national full-time average of $108,352. However, professionals cover many roles, and astrophysicists may earn more or less depending on their specific employer and experience.
Sector and state differences
Astrophysicists often work in public sector institutions such as universities, CSIRO, or the Australian Astronomical Observatory. The ABS data shows that public sector full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,263.10 ($117,681 per year), higher than the private sector average of $2,034.10 ($105,773 per year). This suggests that astrophysicists in public research roles may earn above the national average, while those in private industry (e.g., mining, defence) could earn even more.
State averages also vary. The highest full-time average is in the Australian Capital Territory at $2,290.20 ($119,090 per year), reflecting the concentration of public sector and research jobs. Western Australia follows at $2,227.40 ($115,825 per year). The lowest is Tasmania at $1,846.30 ($96,008 per year). You can explore more in our States and territories page.
Minimum wage and award coverage
If an astrophysicist is covered by an award or enterprise agreement, their minimum pay is set by that instrument. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. However, astrophysicists are typically professionals and likely earn well above the minimum. The ABS reports that the most common method of setting pay for all employees is individual arrangement (38.5%), followed by collective agreement (34.6%).
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. An astrophysicist earning near the national average of $108,352 would fall in the 30% bracket plus Medicare levy, giving a marginal rate of 32%.
Where to find more detail
For occupation-specific medians across many roles, see our Job medians page. For industry breakdowns, visit Industry medians. If you want to understand how the ABS calculates these figures, read How the figures are set. And for general guidance on salaries in Australia, check our Guides.
Summary
While an exact astrophysicist salary is not published by the ABS, the national full-time average of $108,352 provides a benchmark. Given the professional nature of the role and the public sector prevalence, astrophysicists likely earn around or above this average, but the lack of a published median means we cannot be certain. For the most current data, refer to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings release twice a year (May and November) and the Employee Earnings and Hours survey.