Understanding the Australia average salary
When people ask about the Australia average salary, they are usually referring to the national full-time adult ordinary-time average published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. As of the May 2026 release of Average Weekly Earnings, that figure is $2,083.70 per week, which works out to about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This is the benchmark used on this site to place a salary on the line.
What the average includes
The ABS average covers full-time adult employees only. It measures ordinary-time earnings – that is, the base pay before overtime, bonuses, or allowances. It is a mean, so a small number of very high salaries can pull it up. That is why the full-time median – the middle value – is lower, at about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median (including part-time and casual workers) is about $74,100 per year.
How it compares to 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, which is about $52,255 per year. Award minimums rose by 4.75% at the same time. The average salary is more than double the minimum wage, reflecting the mix of occupations and experience levels in full-time work.
State and territory averages
Averages vary across Australia. The highest full-time average is in the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. The lowest is Tasmania at about $96,008. You can see the full breakdown on the states and territories page. Here are the figures from the ABS May 2026 data:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
Men's and women's averages
The ABS also publishes separate averages by gender. For full-time ordinary-time earnings, men average about $113,412 per year and women about $100,594 per year. This gap reflects differences in industries, hours, and seniority.
How tax affects take-home pay
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates 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 reductions for low incomes). On the average salary of $108,352, the tax (before offsets) would be about $24,867 plus the Medicare levy, leaving roughly $81,000 after tax. This is a rough estimate; individual circumstances vary.
Why the average matters
The average salary is a useful benchmark for comparing your own pay. It is not a target or a guarantee – many full-time workers earn less, and many earn more. The job medians page shows typical pay for specific occupations, which can be more relevant for career planning.
How the figures are set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is the official source for the national average. It is published twice a year (May and November), not every quarter. The data is collected from a sample of employers and is weighted to represent the whole workforce. For more detail, see how the figures are set.
Common questions
Is the average salary the same as the median? No. The average is a mean; the median is the middle value. The median is lower because high earners raise the average.
Does the average include part-time workers? No, it is for full-time adult employees only. The all-employees median includes part-time and casual workers.
How often is the average updated? Twice a year, for May and November. The next release will be for November 2026.
What about overtime? The average is for ordinary-time earnings only. Overtime is excluded.
Using this site
You can enter your own salary to see how it compares to the national average, state averages, and job medians. The tool shows your weekly and hourly rate based on a 38-hour week, and the distance from the full-time average. All figures are before tax.
For more guides on salary comparisons, awards, and industry data, visit the Guides section.